JFK, Mr. Zabee, and Mr. Briggs

November 22, 2023

Sixty years ago today, President John F. Kennedy (JFK) was assassinated in Dallas, TX. I am in that category of people who remember the event well, who can say, “I remember exactly what I was doing when I heard the news.”

I was in Mr. Brigg’s fifth-hour, eighth-grade woodshop at Elk River Junior High School. It was the end of the class period. We were cleaning up the shop. I was about to put away the “showman’s box” that I designed and was building for use in storing gear for showing dairy cattle at fairs. As we were cleaning up the shop our principal, George Zabee, made the announcement that JFK had been shot and later died in the hospital. I remember that his voice cracked a bit as he made the announcement. I could tell he was audibly shaken (similar to Walter Cronkite’s visible reaction on TV that day).

As I pondered the events of 60 years ago, experiences with Mr. Briggs and Mr. Zabee came flooding back. Both played significant roles in my early teen development…

Mr. Briggs was my math and shop teacher that year. He made the beginnings of algebra and geometry fun, leaving us wanting more. He taught inductively (though I had no idea what that meant as an eighth-grader!). He took us on field trips to watch the progress he was making on the house he was building down by the river. I remember estimating the height of a flagpole, and discovering how to use trigonometry before we even knew what trigonometry was. He always had a puzzle of the week written on the board which taught us to work together and think critically.

Looking back, I think Mr. Briggs may have played a significant role in my interest in becoming a structural engineer. I also suspect he played a major role in the way I have been able to tutor high school students over the years, employing an inductive approach unbeknownst. As a shop teacher he steathfully integrated what we were learning in math. He piqued my interest in woodworking which is my occupation of leisure these days.

I am grateful for Mr. Briggs and the significant role he played in my life.

As I thought about Mr. Zabee this morning, similar feelings of gratitude surfaced. Mr. Zabee was my principal for six years – he followed my class to the high school when the incumbent principal retired. He was a big man – his very presence commanded respect. He grew up on a farm and took an interest in my farm experiences. Though one who wielded authority, we all knew that he cared about us and our well-being. So I wasn’t overly surprised to hear his voice tremble as he announced JFK’s assassination. (Something that occurred to me this morning: Mr Zabee was Catholic as was JFK. I remember that it was a big deal that the United States elected a Catholic, so Mr. Zabee might have been mourning more than the loss of his president).

I have so many stories I could share about Mr. Zabee, but this is the one that stood out the most to me as I pondered about November 22, 1963: Mr. Zabee met with a group of about 15 of us eighth graders weekly for 6-8 weeks. It was a “learning how to learn” experiment. I remember us doing exercises in observation and learning to “read between the lines.” Looking back I realize he was teaching us critical thinking skills. I suspect he played a major role in helping me become a more critical thinker. I suspect he also played a major role in the way I get to help young people today learn to think critically. I also suspect he played a major role in my becoming a life-long learner.

I am grateful for Mr. Zabee and the significant role he played in my life.

Several years ago at the suggestion of our pastor (based on Romans 16:3-15), I created a list of 26 people for whom I had an affinity, people who significantly impacted my life and faith. You can read about it in the post My 26. After the “My 26” exercise two years ago, I continued an ongoing list of people for whom I am grateful. That list continues to grow as God brings people to mind.

Mr. Zabee and Mr. Briggs made my list this morning.

This is Thanksgiving week in the United States. In keeping with the sentiment of Thanksgiving, it would be fitting to ponder and cherish the memories of those from our past who played caring and impactful roles in our lives. And maybe even start a “Gratitude List” and watch it grow over the years.