Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Professor Robert “Beau” Cass remembered

By heather templton

hntemplton@vwc.edu

There was standing room only last week in the Boyd dining center as faculty, students and alumni turned out to honor the life of Professor Robert “Beau” Cass.

Cass lost his battle with cancer on April 19 at the age of 64.

“Nothing is gone until forgotten, and I’ll never forget him,” said former student Paul Wolfe.

Cass retired from teaching in February due to his illness and seven-month struggle with lung cancer. He is survived by his brother, Michael; wife, Kate; and two sons, Justin and Joshua.

He worked at VWC for 32 years and founded LAMP (Liberal Arts Management Program). His class syllabi included problem solving and decision making, principles of management and basic pocket billiards.

“He had a unique and creative way of blending no-nonsense back-to-basics courses that changed my whole approach,” said colleague Dr. Ehsan Salek.

Cass was remembered Friday as colleagues and alumni spoke about the late professor.

“Rude, crude and socially unacceptable,” were the words Dr. Linda Ferguson used to describe Cass.

“He was direct and thorough,” she said, “the perfect first boss.”

Ferguson, along with the others who spoke, remembered Cass has a hard and unwavering man who did not sit back and accept things. He did not worry about being popular.

Chaplain Bob Chapman spoke of a colleague who referred to Cass as a “minority voice.”

“And though he was not always right – nobody is – he was often enough to be the crucial shout that called a sleeping crew to steer their ship around the rocks,” he said.

Business professor David Garraty described Cass as “conscientious to a fault”.

“He was meticulous in thought and action in regard to teaching and wouldn’t accept sloppy work,” Garraty said. “He would confront you and force you to think.”

Garraty joked that some students need time to recover from living through a Cass class.

“Take a Cass class – it’ll be good for you,” was what Ferguson remembers telling her advisees who tried to avoid taking one of his courses.

Although he is remembered by most as a tough teacher, his influence on his students was evident.

Chapman spoke about seeing a letter framed on his desk from a past student expressing appreciation for him and the influence he had.

“Money cannot purchase or influence such kind words or gratitude from a former student,” he said. “I could not think of any faculty member who would not treasure such remarks from a student who sat before them in a classroom.”