Celebrating Bill Oakes

It is difficult to find the words to capture someone so large as Bill Oakes in vision, in talent, and in spirit. Reflecting on his life brought to mind a poem I memorized in childhood: Success.

That man is a success

Who lives well, laughs often, and loves much

Who gains the respect of intelligent men and the love of children

Who leaves the world a little better than he found it

By an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul

Who looks for the best in others and gives the best he has

Bill not only laughed frequently and easily, but mirth permeated his voice so memorably when he taught or talked about the possibilities he saw in things. He talked to me about his interest in inter-active television when few had even heard of the concept.

Bill loved much. Not only those immediately around him but those many of us forget to love – those down on their luck, those incarcerated.

That Bill gained the respect of intelligent men and women is evident by those assembled here today and by those who, like me, are physically absent but present in spirit to honor and to celebrate him.

I remember Bill telling me, at our first meeting, how excited he was about being able to tap the rich, undiscovered talent of his inner-city kids in Washington, D.C. He encouraged those kids to award-winning work that brought him in to teaching and our program. Bill has affected the lives of so many children, both directly through his work and publications and indirectly through all of the teachers he has influenced.

Bill leaves the world too soon but more than a little better than he found it. He was and remains an inspiration. Bill inspired me and others whom he touched to live a fuller, more daring life by getting out of the “comfort zone.” It was his special talent, not only to look for the best in others, but to find it with delight, over and over again.

Bill gave us all so much – his powerful, ever-evolving work that surrounds all here, his intense vision for what’s possible in ourselves and in the world and his model of a life lived with deep and abiding love. I miss him dearly. I am so grateful to have known Bill Oakes.