A Great Man

Dr. Bachman's Memorial Service was held May 8, 2009. I hope that all of you will experience the kind of inspiration that I felt in my college experience. I also hope that if you stay in contact with the Professors that inspire you-- I do think they will appreciate it.

Here is my part of his eulogy:

 Dr. Bachman is the wisest and wittiest man that i've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I sought him out for Freshman English-- word around Griffin Hall was that he was simply "the best"... it turns out that was indeed the case.   He had a "presence" about him; when he walked in the room, he did not "demand" respect, he "commanded" it. I often wondered whether or not he ever realized the impact that he had on the many students that would walk through his door each semester.  

If I could have one memento of Dr. Bachman, it would be a page of notes from his faded yellow legal pads. They were inscribed with the brilliant ponderings of a great man; I would often sit on the edge of my seat, anticipating what he would say next! There were times when I would look around to find that few people were catching on to his humor... but I got it, and I appreciated it.  

It was during my freshman "Comp/Lit" class that Dr. Bachman unknowingly would alter the course of my life. He wrote on one of my essays, "You should consider a degree in the Liberal Arts". It wasn't long after that I was marching down to the advising office, changing my degree plan. Because of Dr. Bachman, I majored in English. Because of Dr. Bachman, I earned my M.A. in English. And because Dr. Bachman retired, I wasn't motivated to complete my Ph.D. work. I do not regret this, by the way. After he left, Griffin Hall was not the same... the spirit of the ULL English Department changed. I was deeply saddened by his retirement, but i'll never forget the wonderful send off that we planned for him.  

I regret not socializing with Dr. Bachman more. You see, to me, he was somewhat of a "mythic" figure. I enjoyed speaking with him, but I was always careful not to take up too much of his time, as I was sure that he always had something of great importance to do. He was my mentor. Although he taught me a great deal, I know that I could have learned so much more from him if I only had the courage to knock on his office door when matters weren't pressing, when a paper wasn't due... when I wanted to-- just because.  

I remember a quiz question he asked when we were reading Ken Kesey's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest; he asked, "What pattern appears on McMurphy's underpants?" Whales-- it was whales. Try finding that answer in SparkNotes! His were the kinds of quiz questions that you answer with a chuckle! [And yes, I got it right! :)]  

 I model my Lit classes on Dr. Bachman's classes. I used to hold the "Chaucer" Awards at the end of every semester; now I hold the "Bachman" Awards. I honor Dr. Bachman every semester that I teach; his picture appears on my course websites.  

Another question I remember went something like this: The Miller, The Pardoner, and The Wife of Bath are at Albertson's buying apples. There is only one Red Delicious left, and they all want it! Who gets it; why?   If the apple was the fruit of knowledge-- he got it; he had the apple. He unselfishly shared that apple with his students-- class after class, semester after semester, year after year. Thanks for the apple, Dr. Bachman. It was delicious, and the sweetness is everlasting...  

In fond rememberance...  

 Your Student, Hollie "Pritchard" Domingue