Think back, if you can, to 1957-58. I was in Mr. Dumphy’s 6th grade class at North Shore School. I will always remember his fun, engaging and motivating class. As that year went on, he apparently recognized my modest talent at arithmetic and basic algebra. At the end of that year, the school system offered an opportunity for some of us to take “advanced” junior high school math and pre-algebra. Mr. Dumphy put my name forward for this class. I was accepted, along with one other student. Anyway, the after school advanced course cost $1.25 for the textbook (this was in 1958 dollars – probably $100 today). It’s a fact that my family could not pay that, so I told Mr Dumphy that I couldn’t enroll. He reached into his pocket, gave me $1.25 and said, “Pay me back when you’re a doctor”. I took the class. Well, I never forgot Mr. Dumphy for that gesture. And I have told that story many times over the past 50+ years, whenever anybody asks about influential people. Ralph Dumphy was a crystal clear example of what a good teacher is and does, and he had a forever impact on so many lives. I never became a doctor, but I did become a math teacher for many years, and I never forgot Mr. Ralph Dumphy. Godspeed, Mr. Dumphy. Life well lived. With tears in my eyes, and sympathy to his family.