Beecroft, 73, my smart colleague from Scona High days. Scona used to be a ‘brainy’ school back in ’86 when I arrived with the likes of Bill and Larry Booi, who were teaching Academic Challenge courses then. I took over the AC seminar from Bill which was largely an ideas course with some career added–this long before the olde CALM came into being. (I also taught AC English 30.) These were largely enrichment courses (later supplanted by AP) required to be taken by the top students.
Anyway, Bill and I had many a philosophical discussion and he had a witty and scholarly approach to teaching and pedagogy.
My most memorable time was when Bill brought in cucumber sandwiches and we had tea together for lunch in room 216. This, stemming from a discussion of Wilde and The Importance of Being Earnest. It was the sort of thing which came natural to Bill. Only some 20 or so years later did I have cucumber sandwiches at the Empress Hotel afternoon tea in Victoria and recalled that special time with Bill.
Rest in peace, old friend.