A different sort of President's Day was observed recently when three area top executives met Vernon McRae Jr. at the Iron Gate restaurant in Westlake to honor Vernon's father, the printing teacher at Horace Mann School from 1921-62.
Robert Weber, president of Scott Fetzer Co. financial services; Ray Willcox, president of Madison Press, and Harold F. Gilbert, president of Gilbert Publishing Co., were taught by the elder Mr. McRae in the 1920's and 1940's.
These three men explained to Vernon the extraordinary influence his father had on them in teaching them not only the "tricks of the trade" in printing, but also in teaching standards and an exemplary way of life.
Vernon countered with his family background, and filled in with stories about his father after school and on summer vacations.
Mr. McRae died in 1962, five months after he retired.
This notable teacher had a custom of tacking, on his bulletin board, inspirational poems for his students. One called "Your Afterself" has been sought for years by Gilbert.
This poem told students that the habits they were picking up during their youth would stay with them all their lives.
A copy of another poem which made an impression on a young boy made its way into the "Learnings" newsletter, edited in London, England, by former student Walt Hopkins.
In the November 1994 newsletter, which was received recently at the Lakewood High School Alumni Office, Hopkins discussed Mr. McRae and the great influence he had on Hopkins' career.
The newsletter also included a poem by E.A. Guest which was given to the printing class students by their teacher.
Results and Roses
The man who wants a garden fair
Or small or very big,
With flowers here and there,
Must bend his back and dig.
Things are mighty few on earth
That wishes can attain.
Whate'er we want of any worth
We've got to work to gain.
It matters not what goal you seek
Its secret here reposes:
You've got to dig from week to week
To get results of roses.
This article first appeared in the Lakewood Sun Post, Thursday, February
23, 1995
Written by Julie Sowa
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