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Abbott Fay died today, March 12, 2009
Abbott Fay died today, peacefully, after a stroke hit him three days ago. He never wanted to get established in the medical system (he'd never had another medical emergency in his life) and he wanted to avoid outliving his ability to be comfortable with his body and his mind. We will miss him as you will, and we respect him as you do.
There will be no memorial service and no other public gathering (at his request); If anybody wants to organize a party in his honor, I'll come.
Donations may be made (in lieu of flowers) to either of two of Abbott's favorite institutions:
- Hotchkiss-Crawford Historical Museum, P.O. Box 724, Hotchkiss, CO. 81419 (970) 872-3780
- Friends of the Paonia Library, PO Box 969, Paonia, CO 81428
-Randy Fay
March 12, 2009
PS - Just click here to write a remembrance of Abbott's life.
Comments
The passing of Mr. Fay
Dear Mrs. Fay and Family,
I was greatly saddened to read about the passing of Mr. Fay. I had the unique pleasure of having him as a professor at Mesa Junior College in 1960-61 and then at Western State College as a senior and graduate student. I arrived at Mesa as a clueless freshman not knowing what I wanted to do in life. It is no exaggeration to say that after only a few days in his classroom and that of his colleage, Don MacKendrick, I knew I wanted to major in history and be a teacher. Ten years ago I retired from School District #51 after a 34 year career. I know of countless others he inspired in the same way.
Please know that there are so many of us that grieve with you today. He was one of those unique individuals who gave inspiration and direction to so many lives.
If there is anything I can do during this difficult time, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Max Stites
Dear Mrs. Fay and Family, I
Dear Mrs. Fay and Family,
I was greatly saddened to read about the passing of Mr. Fay. I had the unique pleasure of having him as a professor at Mesa Junior College in 1960-61 and then at Western State College as a senior and graduate student. I arrived at Mesa as a clueless freshman not knowing what I wanted to do in life. It is no exaggeration to say that after only a few days in his classroom and that of his colleage, Don MacKendrick, I knew I wanted to major in history and be a teacher. Ten years ago I retired from School District #51 after a 34 year career. I know of countless others he inspired in the same way.
Please know that there are so many of us that grieve with you today. He was one of those unique individuals who gave inspiration and direction to so many lives.
If there is anything I can do during this difficult time, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Max Stites
What a Great Guy!
Of all the teachers I came in contact with in the Leadville school system, Abbott Fay had the most impact on my life and memories of him have frequently come back to me over the years. Although I never was a student in his class I was in the Boy Scout troop that he lead. We met in the old Methodist Church across from the 6th Street Gym before the church burned down. There were 2 Boy Scout troops in Leadville, one sponsored by the Catholic Church and the other by the Methodist Church.
Some of the most memorable hikes Abbott took us on were up Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive. We had frequent overnight camping experiences including week long summer camps on Mr. Meredith's Crystal River property near Redstone. We had to abandon a hike to the top of Mt. Sopris when raising hair and crackling noises alerted us to an atmosphere filled with electricity.
Abbott's involvement in the lives of his Scouts was not limited to Scout activity. When he and Joan were married in Denver he included several of our Boy Scout troop in the festivities. My mother passed away when I was 15 and out of the many acts of kindness that flowed out of a loving community one of the most valuable to me was Abbot Fay coming over to our house and taking me on a long walk during which we had a conversation that brought great comfort to me.
I often thought of trying to contact Abbott over the years and of course now I regret not having done so. Some of us are too soon old and too late smart. It is really nice to know that Abbott never lost his love of teaching and his love of life.
Doug Brown, (Class of 1957, Leadville High School)
Salt Lake city, Utah
I was saddened by Professor Fay's death.
Today I drove from Crested Butte to hear Abbott Fay speak on "Delta Stories" to benefit the Delta Friends of the Libary. It had been on my calendar for months. I wore a red tie. When I arrived for the event I was told Mr. Fay had died on March 12th. I so wanted to tell him that he was a GREAT teacher and an inspiration in my life. I was a history major at WSC from l964-1968. I took as many classes as possible from Professor Fay. I was part of the infamous class that demonstrated Peaceful Resistance to avoid the final exam. That he actually respected our application of the principle still is large in my mind. Professor Fay so skillfully enchanted me with the history of the east that I later spent two years travelling and studying in India, Nepal and other parts of S.E. Asia. I also realized that my true passion was Comparative Religion because of the focus of Professor Fay's classes. I studied and investigated all the world's great religions. I taught for 30 years, not history, but life science to middle school students. I always kept Abbott Fay in my vision of engaging students with the magic and the hands-on-meaning of learning. I hope I succeeded. What a great life he created for himself and how much he added to all the lives that he touched along the way. I have his books and they are carried by the Mountain Heritage Museum in Crested Butte. My sister, Mary Yaklich also attended Western State and remembers Mr. Fay with great respect and esteem. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Sincerely, Trudy Yaklich
Friendship with Abbie
I was employed by Mesa College in 1956; Abbott had arrived a year earlier. He was teaching philosophy, history, and journalism. He and his wife, Joan, became close fiends with my wife and me. We had great adventures with their three children and our three, including many joint holiday dinners together. Abbie and I loved to discuss every world and human event. He and I climbed Colorado mountains together. We attended together the July 4th fireworks in the Western State football stadium. He and I would stroll through the darkened streets of Gunnison talking; then stop in at an open church late at night and sitting in a back pew discussing world issue. Over the years they would visit us in Madison, Wisconsin and Decatur, Illinois; and we would come back to their homes in Paonia and Palisade Colorado. Abbie was not one to use the latest devices; he preferred to write his many books on his faithful old typewriter - and then he would hand write beautiful articulate messages to us for special occasions. We will miss our visits and telephone calls with a person who was the very best of friends. Walt
My Almost Grandfather.
I met Abbott when I was in the fifth grade. He and Joan lived next door to me, and the first day my mother and I moved in, they welcomed me in with open arms and gave me the best iced tea I had ever tasted. (Made fresh with mint from their garden) Both of our families ended up moving, but we still kept in touch. I would always come to Abbott for help with history, because he always knew how to explain it in a fascinating way. Everything that came out of his mouth was admirable and caring, and definitely worth sitting and listening to. My school has been putting on some fairly decent productions but this year Abbott and Joan were the first to tell us it was the best they had seen in a long time. There is happiness in my heart knowing that My Fair Lady impressed Abbott Fay, and that I got to see him happy before he went. That man was like a grandfather to me. I loved him and I know he's probably adoring heaven.
Two days ago....
My heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Fay and the Fay family for their loss.
Two days ago I decided to check in on Abbott Fay’s website and found the words “Abbott Fay Died....” He’s gone. I’ve spent the last two days back at Western State College. It’s 1970, I’m going to Fay’s class, walking the campus, feeling that freshness of life being new and wonderful and everything is a discovery. I would not have had that, if it hadn’t been for Abbott.
Shortly into the first quarter at Western I decided that I was going to quit. I didn’t have a focus, I was homesick, and I couldn’t see a good reason for being there. Fortunately I took ‘Development of Civilization,’ with Abbott Fay as my teacher. What a trip he was - red ties, Spartans and pop quizzes. He soon hooked my mind. History became real and exciting, not far away stories... the people of the past had substance. History came alive and was pertinent. Understanding the present comes from understanding the past. I found myself disappointed when the bell rang and class was over. As the quarter was coming to an end... I said, “Well... maybe I can last another quarter.” Soon History was my major, Abbott Fay was my Advisor, and my friend, until I graduated four years later.
I do NOT know what kind of person I would have been; what my life would have been if I had not known Abbott Fay. What a wonderful influence. My bent for Eastern philosophy, my admiration for Ghandi, the friends I made, my experiences and perceptions... all influenced by Abbott.... and I am just one person whose life he touched.
Abbott Fay is not gone. He is a part of everyone he met. The waves and ripples from the spirit of that wonderful man, through all who he gave of himself to, will go on and on forever.
Valerie Miller
WSC Class of ‘74
I Miss Him Very Much!
I posted comments earlier, but since Mr. Fay's passing I felt the need to write again.
What a great man he was. I first was in his "World Civilization" class at Mesa Junior College in the early 1960's. At Mesa, Abbott and Don MacKendrick made up an exceptional history department. When Abbott moved on to Western State College he became part of a department which included William Edmondson, Daniel Day, and Duane Vandenbesche. What can I say other than "fantastic." I loved each and every class I took.
Mr. Fay was an exceptional teacher, and his history lessons appealed to everybody who sat in his classes.
I was honored to have him choose my middle school classroom when he would teach extension classes in Delta.
I was a history teach for 35 years, returing in 2000.
I really don't know Abbott's religious beliefs, but if there is a Heaven he will be there, and will be surrounded by all those who knew and loved him, as well as those who want to learn history.
Truly, Abbott Fay will be missed. However, he leaves behind some beautiful memories.
Gary Burke
Delta, Colorado
An amazing teacher
I was not all that interested in history when I first showed up at Western. With the war in Viet Nam in full gear ('69-'70) and the draft an ever constant threat, college looked like a pretty good place to just hole up for awhile. Then I had the good fortune of signing up for a history class taught by professor Fay. I think it was the history of Colorado or the West. I was just looking for something easy and fun to bide my time with. WOW! For the first time in my life I was sitting at the feet of a teacher who truly loved to teach. I'm sure I completed every class he taught. The history of India, China and Japan, subjects that before meeting Abbott would have held little appeal for me I now found fascinating because he found them fascinating. His enthusiasm was contagious. Although I majored in History with a teaching minor I have yet to pursue that career path. My lifelong enjoyment of history and philosophy was firmly set by this beloved professor. I continue my life long study of history to this day. My wife and I were early pioneers in the home-schooling movement in Colorado and I am currently teaching a history class to local home-school students in Montana. Sorry Mr. Vandenbush and Professor Beck---- Abbott Fay was the best!
Steve Wagner