Friday, July 13th 2007
Our College Professor passed on earlier today. Dr. FG David.
I ran a search for his name and I found this picture of him on his University page (which sadly didn’t have much). He earned his PhD in Temple University, and was a student of BF Skinner. He was Head of the UP Dept of Psychology.
He was one of the best teachers I’ve had, and I often think of the gems of knowledge and life lessons he managed to pass on in a class that wasn’t really about those things…
If he was still alive today and we passed each other, say, at the UP Shopping Center, would he have recognized me? Perhaps not, but something tells me he might. He was my professor for three very challenging courses: Psych 110 - Stat, Psych 115 - Experimental Psych, and Psych 162 - BioPsych (lecture).
One December day on our supposed last semester, the girls on the front row of my 162 class started to bargain for Sir David to cancel class for that day. They, well all of us, insisted that it was to be our last Oblation Run as UP undergrads and he should let us go and enjoy it. I didn’t think he would actually let us, but he did! I could distinctly remember how amused he was by us all - an entire class asking for time off just to witness what would be the last Oblation Run for some of us.
I was uninspired by my classes that semester, and I ended up dropping off two or three electives. But I was always up for the 162 lecture class; at times, it was the only class I actually attended for the day.
110 was a nightmare as a subject. I remember him saying in the 115 class the following semester, that the grading for that previous course was highly objective. Attendance, quizzes (?) and exams would be the basis and no, there are no partial points for effort. I felt like he was saying that for my benefit, because I really was getting barely passing scores then. I did my best, but memorizing formula was never really my thing. The message I got was that this time around, for 115, the effort and diligence you show in your work will somehow get you through. Indeed, I got a far better grade in 115 than I did in 110.
I used to write down FG David quotes on my notebook. He says things like “Before you knew your boyfriend, you didn’t know him.” Of course, he doesn’t blurt these things out, they’re always in context. I just… enjoyed listening to his lectures (for 162 at least).
He was old and yet there was mischief in his eyes. Yes, it was like he was reminiscing about something amusing that he did in the past. He told us about a priest friend and their deep conversations about life and the existence of God. He wasn’t a believer, you see.
I always thought about going back, paying him a visit. Or, at some point, ask him to my wedding (whenever that will be). He just seems like a good advisor, a potential ninong. 
I was getting to know boyfriend at the time I was attending his classes. His anecdotes just always was perfect timing for whatever was happening in life.
Anyway, I am sure he is already missed. Right now, I bet many others are remembering him like I do. I am grateful for having been his student, for having known him. The PHAn won’t be the same without him around.
http://verabear.bravejournal.com/entry/23426
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