Today proclaimed 'Bob Brittain Memorial Day' in honor of educator, community volunteer
(Talk of the Town file photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano)
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
On Saturday afternoon, in a room filled with those celebrating the life of the late servant leader, coach and educator Bob Brittain, an important declaration was made.
Columbia City Mayor Jim Fleck, a fellow CCHS alumni and speech and debate team member with Brittain in 1961, declared today, Monday, April 26, 2010, as "Robert E. Brittain Memorial Day" in Columbia City.
Fleck read the proclamation, his voice catching with emotion, noting that Brittain had lived a life so dedicated to the community and humbly working for the good of others.
A lifetime resident of Whitley County, Brittain attended local schools and graduated with the CCHS Class of 1964. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in English from Indiana University in 1968 and earned his Masters degree from Indiana University in 1971.
He began teaching English at Columbia City High School in 1968, also serving as a dedicated Speech and Debate coach, unitl his retirement in 2004. He also served for many years as an advisor for the school newspaper. He continued to work with the teachers and students in a volunteer capacity and could be found at the high school every day, according to a close friend and staff member, atleast two hours before school opened and until well after the school day had ended. His friendship and close professional relationship with his fellow educators, students and the school was highly valued by many.
In addition to serving a meaningful role in the lives of students spanning five decades, Brittain's role as a very humble, committed servant leader expanded into the community as well.
A member of Blue River Community Church, he served on the church's Board of Elders. He also served on the National Council of Teachers of English, was past president of the Columbia City Kiwanis Club, a member of the local, state and national Teachers Association and Indiana University Alumni organizations, National Forensic League's state and national chpaters, Peabody Public Library Board of Directors, Whitley County Literacy Council Board of Directors, Bowen Center for Human Services Board of Directors, president Columbia City High School Alumni Association Board of Directors, served on Campus Ministry programs at IPFW and Indiana Tech, to name a few...and there were many more.
In 1995, he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash award for his faithful service to the community and the State at large.
Brittain's legacy in the lives of local residents lives on in lives of many locally and far beyond.
"Mr. Brittain was my favorite teacher, from kindergarten all the way through med school and residency, and the only one whom I could truly call a mentor," said Dr. Douglas Tannas, a graduate with the CCHS Class of 1995 and Speech and Debate team member. "I know I'm one of many who can say that."
"He sets a high bar in terms of serving others and striving for excellence. I will miss his voice, his humor, his mind, and his heart. I cannot imagine speech and debate in Indiana without him," another former student wrote on one of several pages created in his honor on Facebook.
Another wrote, "Meekness, humbleness and kindness are always the true banner of a real man you were always such."
"He had a significant role in getting me to college and beyond, and I wouldn’t be here without the part that he played. Mr. Brittain epitomized the idea that teachers are this nation’s greatest asset. Few can touch as many lives as teachers, and he did so in many ways. To me, he was a teacher, coach, mentor and, ultimately, friend. Few people were as devoted as Mr. Brittain in everything he did. He taught me so much from writing, speaking, researching, analytical thinking to competing. That doesn’t even take into account the importance of serving the community I experienced through the Key Club. While we will miss him, we all know we are better off because in some way he reached out and improved our lives," another wrote.
Still another wrote, "It took me years - more than 20 - to appreciate fully what Bob Brittain taught: discipline, skill, organization, honesty, communication, care, selflessness. Beyond teaching these attributes, he LIVED them. Thousands of us have benefited. Let's live them to honor him."
And honor him, many will. Countless people from all walks of life have commented over the past several days how the tools Brittain provided are used daily in their lives -- whether teaching students, parenting, practicing medicine, in the courtroom, at desks writing and in ways great and small.
There is no doubt Brittain's life and contributions to this community have been on the minds of many throughout the week. He was even mentioned during the Heart of Golds awards on Thursday night.
"We lost a treasure this week," said Whitley County Community Foundation executive director September McConnell. "He had hundreds of kids...hundreds. Somewhere he's got to feel so loved right now."
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
On Saturday afternoon, in a room filled with those celebrating the life of the late servant leader, coach and educator Bob Brittain, an important declaration was made.
Columbia City Mayor Jim Fleck, a fellow CCHS alumni and speech and debate team member with Brittain in 1961, declared today, Monday, April 26, 2010, as "Robert E. Brittain Memorial Day" in Columbia City.
Fleck read the proclamation, his voice catching with emotion, noting that Brittain had lived a life so dedicated to the community and humbly working for the good of others.
A lifetime resident of Whitley County, Brittain attended local schools and graduated with the CCHS Class of 1964. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in English from Indiana University in 1968 and earned his Masters degree from Indiana University in 1971.
He began teaching English at Columbia City High School in 1968, also serving as a dedicated Speech and Debate coach, unitl his retirement in 2004. He also served for many years as an advisor for the school newspaper. He continued to work with the teachers and students in a volunteer capacity and could be found at the high school every day, according to a close friend and staff member, atleast two hours before school opened and until well after the school day had ended. His friendship and close professional relationship with his fellow educators, students and the school was highly valued by many.
In addition to serving a meaningful role in the lives of students spanning five decades, Brittain's role as a very humble, committed servant leader expanded into the community as well.
A member of Blue River Community Church, he served on the church's Board of Elders. He also served on the National Council of Teachers of English, was past president of the Columbia City Kiwanis Club, a member of the local, state and national Teachers Association and Indiana University Alumni organizations, National Forensic League's state and national chpaters, Peabody Public Library Board of Directors, Whitley County Literacy Council Board of Directors, Bowen Center for Human Services Board of Directors, president Columbia City High School Alumni Association Board of Directors, served on Campus Ministry programs at IPFW and Indiana Tech, to name a few...and there were many more.
In 1995, he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash award for his faithful service to the community and the State at large.
Brittain's legacy in the lives of local residents lives on in lives of many locally and far beyond.
"Mr. Brittain was my favorite teacher, from kindergarten all the way through med school and residency, and the only one whom I could truly call a mentor," said Dr. Douglas Tannas, a graduate with the CCHS Class of 1995 and Speech and Debate team member. "I know I'm one of many who can say that."
"He sets a high bar in terms of serving others and striving for excellence. I will miss his voice, his humor, his mind, and his heart. I cannot imagine speech and debate in Indiana without him," another former student wrote on one of several pages created in his honor on Facebook.
Another wrote, "Meekness, humbleness and kindness are always the true banner of a real man you were always such."
"He had a significant role in getting me to college and beyond, and I wouldn’t be here without the part that he played. Mr. Brittain epitomized the idea that teachers are this nation’s greatest asset. Few can touch as many lives as teachers, and he did so in many ways. To me, he was a teacher, coach, mentor and, ultimately, friend. Few people were as devoted as Mr. Brittain in everything he did. He taught me so much from writing, speaking, researching, analytical thinking to competing. That doesn’t even take into account the importance of serving the community I experienced through the Key Club. While we will miss him, we all know we are better off because in some way he reached out and improved our lives," another wrote.
Still another wrote, "It took me years - more than 20 - to appreciate fully what Bob Brittain taught: discipline, skill, organization, honesty, communication, care, selflessness. Beyond teaching these attributes, he LIVED them. Thousands of us have benefited. Let's live them to honor him."
And honor him, many will. Countless people from all walks of life have commented over the past several days how the tools Brittain provided are used daily in their lives -- whether teaching students, parenting, practicing medicine, in the courtroom, at desks writing and in ways great and small.
There is no doubt Brittain's life and contributions to this community have been on the minds of many throughout the week. He was even mentioned during the Heart of Golds awards on Thursday night.
"We lost a treasure this week," said Whitley County Community Foundation executive director September McConnell. "He had hundreds of kids...hundreds. Somewhere he's got to feel so loved right now."