tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2534840576496087146.post6589730268143094245..comments2024-03-14T06:56:40.915-07:00Comments on Early Levittown NY and Beyond -- By Frank Barning and Friends: Summit Lane teacher Ben Murphy was a very special person, mentor and role model whose life ended tragicallyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2534840576496087146.post-65297947190974802462012-05-04T20:24:44.702-07:002012-05-04T20:24:44.702-07:00This is a beautiful tribute. Mr. Murphy was that ...This is a beautiful tribute. Mr. Murphy was that inspirational teacher for me that I often find myself thinking about. I remember him reading "The Last House" to us by Ray Bradbury. A whole new world of literature was opened up to me, as well as the harsh realities of the atomic bomb. He required us to read the newspaper every day. A habit that stayed with me.<br /><br />I remember him teaching us how we are manipulated by advertising, and his great stories of writing obits. He would show us presents he bought for his kids (I seem to remember a pair of pajamas). I remember going outside for class and for creative writing. It was great to learn that one of his kids became a teacher as well.Avrum Rosennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2534840576496087146.post-44133137728215486102011-06-27T19:04:29.653-07:002011-06-27T19:04:29.653-07:00Should be " he taught me how to write." ...Should be " he taught me how to write." Darn auto-correct. Ronschecrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768028743865710641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2534840576496087146.post-48719111161668121612011-06-27T18:59:36.246-07:002011-06-27T18:59:36.246-07:00I'm DAHS Class of '68, and Ben Murphy was ...I'm DAHS Class of '68, and Ben Murphy was the best teacher I ever had (sorry Mr Bloom and Mr Levy) -- including college and law school. I recall his stories about WWII and his being a reporter. As others had noted he taught me howq rowdies -- and to think. I stayed in touch with Mr Murphy when he went to S America and I went to Division. I still have a letter he sent me from that time. I'll never forget when Mr Aaron --music teacher who was at Summit Lane and then at Division-- told me that Mr Murphy had died. I was on hall patrol outside the auditorium. Mr. Mruphy was a man who changed people's lives, including mine. Can't say more about a person than that. Ron Schechterschecrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02768028743865710641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2534840576496087146.post-52180257888224241892011-06-26T18:57:09.770-07:002011-06-26T18:57:09.770-07:00Kathy has said it all so elegantly.Mr.Murphy was a...Kathy has said it all so elegantly.Mr.Murphy was and remains an inspirational figure for all of us who were his students .This, I imagine, is true as well for all of those who knew him.<br /> As for myself,Mr.Murphy is the reason I became a teacher.There was so much to his teaching style that I stole. There was so much to his approach with students that I tried to emulate.<br /> He was a man's man ,but a complete man.He loved literature,the arts,and sports as well.Most importantly he loved critical thinking and expression.It is here where his greatest contribution comes.He taught us how to think.He taught us to want to think well.At the same time he treated each child as a special individual.<br /> If my memory serves I was the worst behaved kid in the class and the most ignorant.It didn't matter.He treated me as if I were his son.You could not help but respect and admire him.<br /> Over the years I always evaluated my performance as a teacher by asking a simple question," Would Mr.Murphy approve?"<br /> When I looked at the picture of our class of 1957,I could still name every kid by first and last name,real easy!It was a great time in our lives.We were a great group of kids who were guided by a truly great teacher and man - Mr.Ben Murphy.<br /><br /> Richie Liguori<br /> class of 1963Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2534840576496087146.post-4159318447046230652011-06-26T16:48:11.241-07:002011-06-26T16:48:11.241-07:00wonderful piece. i wish i had known him.
Susan W...wonderful piece. i wish i had known him.<br /><br />Susan Weldon, class of 1960Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com