Reflection #15(Only 1061 to go): Flying Under the Radar, Deux!

Reflection #14 (Only 1062 to go!): Flying Under the Radar, Deux 2     I was prompted to write about Ray Kizelevicus after I read an article in the Chicago Tribune. No, it wasn't an article about Mr. K (Forgive the informality, but I’m too old to write his whole last name every time I refer to him. I also don’t buy green bananas any more.), but it was written by Chris McNamara, class of ‘92. Chris is the Media Manager for Lincoln Park Zoo, and he has often written articles for the Trib. I sent Chris a note complimenting him on the article. He thanked me and added that Mr. Kizelevicus had been a big influence on his becoming a professional writer.
     About the same time, Tony D’Sousa, also of the class of ‘92, showed up to speak to one of Ray’s classes. Tony had spent some time in the Peace Corp, and wrote a book about his experiences, receiving several awards for his work. In conversation with Ray, other authors' names came up, all of whom had been his students and all of whom were now earning a living, and some acclaim, as writers. A few continue to stay in touch with him.
     I was beginning to sense a "theme", and I wondered what there was about Ray Kizelevicus that had this effect on so many of his students. So I asked Chris for some help. He said,"...Mr. Kiz's straight forward approach, and his wry sense of humor helped make some of the dryer material more interesting." (Thanks, Chris.)
     That made sense, but I had the feeling that there must be more. I tried to think of a word or description that would encapsulate what I knew of Ray. I think I have it: GOOD! Ray is a good guy, a good teacher, a good Ignatian, a good family man. In each case, the word “good” could easily be replaced by “great”. The sum total of all of these “goodness’s” made me conclude that Ray is just a good person.     Ray, the “good guy” is a man with whom I feel comfortable sitting and chatting, but also someone I know that I could go to if I needed help. He would extend himself far beyond all reasonable expectations. Over the years, several times he has been asked to step up to deal with problems that have developed at school. For example, a few years ago, he was asked to step in as moderator for the yearbook which had been neglected. As usual he took over the recovery effort and did a masterful job.
      Though Ray didn't go to Ignatius, I still consider him the “good Ignatian”.  In addition to his official job as English teacher, at one time or another, he has served as coach for the freshmen baseball, the bowling team and the chess team. He has been the moderator of the photography club, coordinator of Open House and the Walk-For-Ignatius, and he was the uniform manager for the Athletic Department. If other teachers are considered “corner stones” of the school, Ray is definitely the “mortar”...really good mortar.  He has often been called on to fill in many of the gaps in order to hold things together.
     Evidence of Ray, the “good man”, combined with Ray the “good family man”, is his commitment to the service projects. In 1993, he was “recruited” by his daughter, Laura, to be as a moderator on a school-sponsored service project to a poor community in Pennsylvania. Since then, he has gone on 15 more service projects in the United States and gone to Guatemala six times, including three times on his own. His daughters, Laura and Cheryl, have accompanied him as chaperones several times.
     Only his wife, Barb, knows if under his “Clark Kent” outfit, he has a red cape and a capital “S“ on his chest, but she isn’t telling.
     Ray, thanks for all you mean to Saint Ignatius.