Ha! My second-grade teacher! Sister Margaret Ann, SSND, who told my mother to get my eyes checked and yup, I needed glasses, and from then on I was reading three or four grades ahead of my grade level.

Brother Hugh Matthew Smith, FSC, my Chemistry and Physics teacher in High School.

Father Jovian P. Lang, OFM, who was my boss, mentor, and who officiated at my wedding (to another of his proteges).

Martha Ward and Dorothy Marquard, two children's librarians at the local public library, who would let NO child go home without at least one book.

My mother, who as a poor widow raised four kids and instilled in them love: of reading, of learning, of honor, of values, of each other and who we've missed every minute of the past 26 years.

My father, who I barely knew, but who I understand won WW2 singlehandedly, wrote every book in existence up to his death in 1950, invented everything worth inventing, and who gave four kids life before his own ended in a construction accident. (His accomplishments were told to us by our mother, and many we figured out on our own.)

My wife. 'Nuff said.

My brothers, my sister.

Carl Landrum, the band director in High School, for giving me a chance to play Third Trumpet, Second Chair.

There are a host of others, as well. Peggy, Marlene, Steve, Bob, Tom, Bob's father....