Favorite FUMA faculty?

Do you remember Capt. Chandler and Capt. Linder having a competition with paddles to see who could make the one that would inflict the most pain?? And did you ever watch the original Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? The bad guy (or spy) in the movie looked just like Capt. Utermohlen. Major Clark used to referee some of the basketball games around Northern VA at one point, if it wasn't him it was his twin, I never got up the nerve to walk up to him and ask though. Oh and Capt. Smith his walk and the way he would call us "his fine young heathens" and always asking us what we were doing and "WHYYYY..." Not sure who all remembers having to jump in that cold water at the Jr. School pool on those winter mornings... To this day the pools that I jump into had better be close to the temperature of bath water. LOL!!!

Holy cow!!

I forgot about Mickey Sullivan. In my Sophomore year, I had flown back to FUMA from Eastern Europe after Spring Break and I was seriously jet lagged.

Then Capt Sullivan looked at me and my obviously bleary eyes and said "I know you just flew in from Jugoslavia and I know you are sleepy but heaven help you if you fall asleep." As he was saying that he was wagging an over-sized eraser at me.

Needless to say, I stayed awake. :shock:

Mickey Sullivan, another one of my favorite instructors.

It's scary, but I remember being in Algebra with you in '86. I didn't pay attention to (then) Captain Sullivan's teachings and had to repeat it with Sylvia Johnson the next year. I do remember he hated it if you said,"Man" (as in, "Oh man, it's hot.") and he knew that Lynrd Skynyrd was named for their gym teacher. He was always nice to me, but I was as dumb as a rock when I took that class. (I got a little better over the years)

Col Hitchcock was my favorite by far. I loved that class, especially since I am going to be a Marine. Col B was the best TAC and Sgt Maj Sidwell was awesome as well. They best day was when he came to speak to us about Vietnam in Col Hitchcocks class. What he told us wasnt the rumors that everyone had heard, but the alot of true amazing stories. I cant wait to go back and talk to him some more.

Major Friski was alot of fun, especially as I am a hardcore conservative. Col Brown is one of the smartest people I have ever met, and his class was fun. But overall, no one made more of an impression of me than Col B as my TAC. It is because of his training I was able to get into the Naval Academy.

John --

That's a good story. I had then Capt. Friski for world geography and then later again for U.S. history. He'd call me the "third world contigent" part of the class.... I always got a kick out of it because I knew he did not mean any malice. He taught well and a lot of the things he taught I still recall...strange how memory works. I eventually ended up with an "A" grade for the class. I do recall one lecture where Sam Robinson (class of 88') got really pissed, but don't quite recall the details as to what happened. He also did not like the state of Massachusetts and surely did not like NYC at the time. I wonder if his views have changed over time now that the cold war is over and we have a new set of enemies.

I remembered Capt Breault for the "model room" and the plastic kits that he'd have for sale available for lay away. I recall that some of em' were $15 and I remember feeling that was an astronomical price. Funny I still retain in a box somewhere all my humbrol and tamiya paints.

We have an article written by COL Spencer about the magic shows The Amazing Polgar gave at FUMA through the years coming up in the next issue of Call To Quarters, our alumni magazine!

Instructor - Col. Spencer (sociology and magic tricks)

Command staff - CSM Pace and Capt. Moore

I have done my share of writing in the negative threads started by alwaysapard. I to seem to be inclinded to be that way. So be it.

I fondly remember Spencer for English, Arrit for Biology, Anderson for Algebra, and JA Davis for Government and American History. I liked Chaplain Nicholson for bible studies. I remember a young Capt. Sullivan not so much for his teaching ability but for his hot young wife he kept on campus.

I guess that proves that all of that marijauna smoking has not burned all of my mind away.

Hi, all. Just found and joined the FUMA forums and one of the late posts in this thread brought back a memory. Capt. Halliburton was a great man and teacher. I enjoyed knowing him and was sorry to hear he passed.
I attended from '57-'61 and then went back to public school. I have read in these forums that the school has changed since then. It was hard for a 5th grader to be away from home at first, but the independence gained was worth the few tears. The teachers I remember are probably long gone, but Col. Pendergrast and Major Hardy were excellent Jr. School role models. Col. Mears was a legend in music and let me play in the Upper School band and bugle for the Upper School when I was still in 7th and 8th grade. I was the Jr. School drum major and band commander and was being trained to be the same in the Upper School when I had to leave after '61. That's enough for now.

Two English teachers really had an impact on me.....then-Captain Brown (Major or Lt. Colonel now?), and Major Halliburton, who passed away many years ago. Because of the classes I took with those two fine men, I have a lifelong passion for reading and writing.

My first and foremost favorite teacher is the now Col. Hitchcock. The man seriously motivated me and instilled a love of history that still to this day hasn't faded. I was blessed to have him as an instructor twice during my 4 years ('75-'79) there. All those cadets who are fortunate to have him as an instructor will always remember his classes. I still keep in touch with him from time to time to this day.

The other two faculty members I also had the greatest respect for was Col. Pulliam and the late Col. Ross.

Richard McCoy
Class '79

I remember CPT Boyd as my favorite teacher at FUMA. He really enjoyed the stuff we read. I also remember him taking us to Richmond to see movies that were based on books...even if they were "loosely" based. His wife was also a real nice lady. My family always stayed at their bed and breakfast when they came up. Is it still open, I wonder?

I also think CPT "Air" Ganong was a great teacher. (I can't remember why it's "Air" Ganong...) I took Geometry from him and never understood any of it. He tried really hard and was patient. However, I think a lot of my time was spent staring out the window of his classroom in the tower of Hatcher Hall.

Jay

It was not "annoyingly long" at all - in fact, I took great pleasure in reading it and passing it along to COL Hitchcock! Thank you for your great post!

While I still chat occasionally with Dennis Brown, I have to say that I found Capt. John Shuman the best instructor -- no, mentor -- with which I ever had the pleasure of interacting.

Capt. Shuman (I'm not sure what his rank is nowadays, but I'm sure he's got a lot more) was, to me, a kind, sensitive, respectful soul, always ready to lend a soft ear to the problems of a young, confused man. His classroom was a place of respect, dignity, and comprehension; lo to the fool that placed trash in the trash receptacle, or confused one of his left-handed scrawls meant as variable for number ("That's a y Waters; it's not an x -- or a 3 -- or 4,567. It's a y"). His football field? A mecca of hupp one, and hupps two and three, while his understanding of sport outside the gridiron was one of absolute focus ("Waters, I'll beat you so bad at any game you name -- just name it" [RE: a certain billiards match at the PX? A certain hamburger refused?[)

During morning inspections, his meticulous examination of the contents of my clothing drawers was an assurance that, at night, safe in my bunk, were I to worry or fret as to whether or not my future held gold or gild, suffer or sup, I could recall his face as he encountered yet another missfolded pair of boxers. During CQ, alone at my desk, I'd smell his certain cologne -- half sweatsock, half messhall coffee -- and sit a little straighter over my algebra. Yes, his was a worthwhile tutelage, and I think gladly now -- relaxed with a cup of morning cofffe straight from the grinder in my full glass office with enough room to fit even two of him -- that I had the good fortune in my little life to have crossed the path of John Shuman, football coach and math teacher. I hope to see him again and shake his hand... with one of those joy shock buzzers.

Deep in the trenches of academia,

JBW

I have a few favorites, beginning with Captain Blair. He was probably the funniest, most animated teacher I've ever had. His English class was never dull or uninteresting! I remember his standing up on an empty desk in front of a cadet named Jacobi, bending over him and screaming at him (in good fun) because he had made some silly error or had said something dumb. Poor Jacobi didn't know if he should die or go blind! Then there was Capt's tobacco chewing habit. He would regularly walk over to the window and expel the chaw outside. I remember hoping that none of the everpresent groundskeepers were below. Grass didn't grow outside that window.

Another favorite was Capt. J.B. Blanton Jr. I've never seen his name mentioned in these pages, but he was one of the most likeable, competent math instructors I've ever had. It was from him that I first heard the term "keep your head in the game". That comment was usually directed at me :oops:

But probably the instructor that had the greatest impact on me, never taught a class, nor was he in an administrative position. His name was Capt. Henry T. Pulliam and he was the school librarian in that lovely little library across from the chapel.
It was he who led me to all the classics and all of the mythologies. It was probably he too, who introduced me to more modern books like Brave New World. I read voraciously in those days. I had developed a love of reading as a youngster, and Capt. Pulliam helped me exploit, for lack of a better term, that love.
If I failed FUMA by not becoming a sterling student, FUMA and Capt. Pulliam never failed me. I continued to read most anything I could get my hands on for years and learned much. I remember reading the dictionary just for fun!
To this day, I still read labels on bottles or cans when I'm in the bathroom.
Capt. Pulliam was a quiet, sensitive little man. He was unassuming and seemingly invisible among the rest of the staff. But to me, he was a hero. He taught me how to escape to faraway places. He was a kindred spirit and I'll remember him always.

Thank you Henry

And finally was Col. S.E. Mear who was the Band Director in those days. Another lovely man who was well liked by everyone I knew. A little known fact about the Col, is that he once played in John Phillip Souza's band. How's that for a great entry on the resume!?

Now I remember! I was one of the guys that carried him off on a back board. We kept slipping in the snow and he would crash to the ground in pain. That field never seemed that far away until we had to carry him back.

I remember that incident to this day. I was in Charlie Co. and had a very good view of the action. As I remember, the male dog was "stuck", and they were making all kinds of racket. It ended when Mrs. Whitescarver? came out with a pan of water and threw it on the dogs.

Another personally memorable incident was when I passed out during drill one day. It was a very hot, muggy day, and I wasn't feeling particularly well. We got out to the parade field where it seemed we stood at attention forever. Stupid me, locked my knees. After a while I remember everything except directly in front of me going black (tunnel vision). After a minute, it was totally black and I could feel myself swaying around. The next thing I rememeber was waking up as I was being dragged off, looking up and seeing 1st Sgt stripes.

I also recall a MAJOR snowball fight on the cross country course. I bet 90 percent of the cadets were in it. This was between 84-87. Not sure exactly when.

That was me who said I doubted Col. Brown remembered me. I was very shocked to receive an e-mail from him telling me he remembered me and also he wanted input on how to improve his AP English course. I can definitely say I felt small after reading his e-mails (we had several online conversations).

I will always remember his course for two things: he made me read KING LEAR and we listened to the soundtrack to THE MISSION on a regular basis. Both are good things.

Col. Brown was the man!

I dont think he gets enough credit from everyone. His AP English class was everything an AP class should be. He let the reading do the teaching, and he would just help us interprit the literature. As for writing, he prepared me completely for the demands of 25, 50, and 100 page papers in college. He genuinly cared about the cadets.
It struck me as odd that one of the former "posters" said he couldnt remember his name. Col. Brown, once told any fact or reference rarely forgets it.
He's the only teacher that has emailed me since i graduated, and i believe that my friendship with him (since graduating) will only get better. I even plan on inviting him to my wedding, whenever that maybe......

Now who can say that about their high school teachers?????

I ahve to say that Pulliam used to scare the crap out of me, but he was and will remain the most repsected figure from my days at FUMA. As far as teachers go, I was made a Republican by Hichcock and an avid reader by Brown.

I was bust from 1st LT my senior year as XO of Echo company. CSM Pate somehow made me think at the moment that I would enjoy the challenge of being a SFC as a PLT SGT.

Capt. Kelso

Jon,
I knew Major Sutton when he was Captain Sutton and he was my instructor in Jr. School. Our eigth grade class science project was to rebuild the engine of his XKE Jaguar - a beautiful midnight blue car with a rag top.
A fine instructor and a top notch auto whiz - any school public or private would be lucky to have him on their staff.

Pate was great, though. He liked me for some reason. Really got along with my old man, as well. Didn't keep him from laying 25 demerits on me for having civvies though.

My favorite quote from Captain "Brace" Brown. "These essays aren't worth a crock of s**t."
Am,is ,are ,was ,were, be ,being, been, do ,does, did, have , has, had, may, might, will, would, can, could, shall, should,and must!

I still remember that but not quite sure why.

Captain Sutton....
Hydrogen, Helium, Lithium, Berylium, Boron, Carbon,Nitrogen, Oxygen, Fluorine, Neon.

There were 93 more then. More now I think.

Thanks to you both.

ALBII

Blue Skies

"Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music"
REAPERWARE T-SHIRTS

Anyone want to go jumping w/me if I ever get back to Virginia?
I've never jumped over trees and green stuff before. Arizona from 14,000 feet looks like the moon.
A-30807 [underachiever]
USPA#127067 since 1996

I remember once in Junior School during class hours a certain history teacher was spotting deer with a scope from a second floor classroom over on Snead Farm and left at lunch to go hunting - we had a substitute for the remainder of the day.
I have to say that my favorite instructor of my eight years was Major Haliburton for English V. He is now passed from this world - a joval and light hearted man with a love of the cartoon strip Pogo.