Dave Espel

Dave Espel wrote over his picture in my Yearbook. He said, "Paul, Good luck! Keep up the spirit. Remember all the good times. David" Nice to know he was looking ahead with an optimistic attitude.

If anyone wants to send their condolences to Dave's family, here is the link. 

 http://www.cavin-cook.com/obituary/guestbook/slug/david-jonothan-espel/mode/sign

Obituaries

www.cavin-cook.com

 I have a fine memory of Dave, one that has never seen the light of day. My guess is Dave won't mind if I share it now.

Dave was assigned to a Special Education class at Willard School when I was in fourth grade. This was a class of children with needs which went far beyond the call of one teacher to handle. Maybe they thought Dave could help. Nobody ever explained to us why he had been brought to Willard.

My classroom was next door and we could hear the shouts and cries of these kids on a daily basis. Dave was obviously out of place to us so they would from time to time put him in our "Regular" classroom without any explanation, for a few hours at a time. He was always mild mannered and a fun guy with a smile on his face. We never talked about why he was next door or the fact he lived in another school district.

This arrangement went on for a few months and then he was gone. I next saw him at RHS and on the first occasion of our meeting he gave me a knowing smile. It was a smile which didn't ask for sympathy, only my acceptance. This was easy for me, as I remember in hindsight, and was always how we kept it. Luckily, I didn't feel the need to taunt him for having been in a Special Education class many years before. I thank my parents for teaching me the difference between right and wrong. Hope Dave is looking upon us now and smiling the same knowing smile.