Shorthand relic

A very old antique scored from my pal Skyler from a thrift shop.  It’s the old form of shorthand notation, which was used before the machine shorthand I practice.

I’m taking extra care to ensure its longevity as long as I borrow it, as was Skyler.

Example of the script; the Gregg/Pittman method

The back of the book; the only English description in the book.

Catalogue of Phonographic Works

 

Benn Pitman, Phonographic Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio.

The works in this list, when ordered directly from the Phonographic Institute, will be forwarded post paid, on the receipt of the prices herein named, except where postage charges are specified.

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Phonography, or Phonetic Shorthand, invented by Issac Pitman of Bath, England, is a system of writing the English and all other languages, briefly and legibly, by means of a Philosophic Alphabet, composed of the simplest signs in Geometry.  In it, each sound is represented; and as no sign employed ever represents more than one, and always the same sound, entire legibility is attained.  Such are the brevity and certainty of this system, that is now almost exclusively used by the reporters in Congress and by those in the British Houses of Parliament, by reporters for the press, and by legal reporters, to secure verbatim reports of speeches and debates.  But it is not in this that its greatest usefulness may, perhaps, be said to consit.  it is used by ministers for making notes, or for the writing of elaborate sermons; for the common uses of correspondence; by lawyers, for the recording of evidence, or rough briefs; by authors, for composition: to the last it affords a means of rapid expression and revision unequalled by any system of writing, ancient or modern; and, finally, to all who have thoughts to preserve, diaries to keep, or memoranda to make, it offers a means of saving two-thirds of the time and labor required by the ordinary long hand.  It differs from all other systems of shorthand in this, that it combines entire legibility with far greater brevity.  In this combination is to be found its claim to general utility, as well as the secret of its success.

Accuracy in detail and justness of execution being the great desiderata in all elementary works, the books published at the PHONOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE have been prepared with a view to their attainment.  These works are in part, or wholly, printed from engraved plates; their cost must, therefore, be greater than that of works of equal size composed only of letter press.  IN such works of equal size composed only of letter press.  IN such works as the Manual of the art and the Reporter’s Companion, the costliness of engraving and printing from stone, is increased by interleaving with the necessary explanatory matter, in letter press.  This greatly adds to the expense of binding, and must, of course, also increase the selling price of the works.  This is to be regretted; but when it is considered how greatly the attainment of the art is facilitated by it, and how much more justly represented and engaging the art is rendered by engraving, than by any other process ever used, the reader will at once perceive that it would not be well to sacrifice ease, beauty, and legibility to the thirst for cheapness which has deluged all branches of literature and art with works more fitted to deter than to invite the student, and to entangle than to enlighten him.

The Manual of Phonography; by BENN PITMAN; a new treatise, explanatory of the art, from its simplest rudiments to the abbreviated style of Phonographic writing.  IT comprises some valuable feature not heretofore introduced in any English or American Phonographic work, rendering it invaluable to students who wish to easily acquire, and correctly practise this art.  The Manual is interpaged with Phonographic exercises, engraved in a clear and attracticve style, which face the necessary explanations in the common print.  Price 50 cts., bound in cloth, 50 cts ; roan, 75 cts.

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The Phonographic Reader; a companion to the Phongraphic Manual, containing a series of progressive Reading Exercises, original and selected, engraved in a clear and attractive style.  Price 25 cts.

Phonographic Copy Book; (oblong shape,) containing ruled paper for the learner’s practice.  Price 10 cts. by mail 12.

— These three works are the only ones neccessary to acquire a thorough knowledge of this time and labor-saving art.  They will be mailed, postage paid, to any portion of the United States or the British Possessions for $1.00.

The Phonographic Magazine; a monthly periodical of Phonographic and other intelligence, of special interest to Phonographers; edited and engraved by BENN PITMAN.  It consists of eight pages of extra size, double columned, containing one -third more reading matter than the Magazine or Reporter of 1856.  Single copies, 75 cts.  When mailed to one address, Clubs of three, $2.00;–Clubs of six, $ 3.50.

The Reporter’s Companion; by BENN PITMAN and R.P. Prosser; a necessary and complete guide to the art of Verbatim Reporting.  This work is clearly engraved, and interpaged with a key in the common print.  It consists, 1st, Of an exposition of every principle of abbreviation employed in Phonographic Reporting, copiously illustrated.  2d, A Vocabulary, more extensive than any hertofore published; with every Grammalogue, Contraction, Phraseogram, difficult word and words which may be written in two or more ways, (only one of which is admissible,) alphabetically arranged. 3d, A series of Progressive Lessons in Reporting, whereby the student is gradually led from the simplest to the most abbreviated style of Phonographic writing.  Price 75 cts.; handsomely bound in muslin $1.00.

The Phrase Book; A Vocabulary of Phraseography, by BENN PITMAN; for the use of students and professional reporters, with printed key.  This work contains a more comprehensive list of phrases that may be written without lifting the pen, than any before published in this country or in England; together with valuable instructions to reporters; engraved in the reporting style.  Paper binding, 60 ts. Cloth, 75 cts.

The Book of Psalms: Engraved by BENN PITMAN in the reporting style of Phonography.  Cloth, 75 cts; roan, $1.00

The Teacher; by Benn Pitman.  A Treatise on Phongraphic Lecturing and Teaching; embracing full and minute directions as to the best method of imparting a knowledge of Phonography.  Engraved in the Corresponding Style.  AN interesting and useful work for all invaluable to the Phongraphic Teacher.  Rpice, $1.00 bound.  printed on very superior paper $1.25.

Phonographic Magazine; Vol. 1, for 1854.  A Miscellany of original and selected papers in the Corresponding style of Phonography.  Edited and engraved by BENN PITMAN .  Bound in cloth, $1.25; roan, $ 1,50.

The Phonogrpahic Magazine; Vol. 2, for 1855. same style and price as the above.

The Phonographic Magainze; Vol. 3, for 1859.  Same style and price as the above.

The Phonographic Reporter; Vol. 1, for 1854.  A Miscellany of original and selected papers, in the Reporting style of Phonography.  Edited and engraved on stone by BENN PITMAN.  Bound in cloth. $1.25; roan, $ 1.50.

The Phonographic Reporter; Vol. 2 for 1855.  Same style and price as the above.

The Phonographic Reporter; Vol. 3, for 1856. Same style and price as the above.

The Phonographic Magazine and Phonographic Reporter; for either year, in one handsome volume, bound in roan, $2. 50.

The History of Short Hand; edited, and engraved on stone, by BENN PITMAN. An interesting history of the art, from the short hand of Tyro down to the invention of Phonography.  Engraved in the Reporting Style.  Price 75 cts; roan $1.00.

The Manners Book. (Extracted by permission of the author, from the “Illustrated Manners Book.”) Engraved by BENN PITMAN, in easy Reporting style. Cloth, 75 cts.; roan, $1.00.

The Manners Book. (Extracted by permission of the author, from the “Illustrated Manners Book.”) Engraved by BENN PITMAN, in easy Reporting style.  Cloth, 75 cts.; roan, $1.00.

Phonographic Chart; designed and arranged by BENN PITMAN. A new and handsome chart of the Phonographic Alphabet, printed in colors, prepared for the use of Teachers, and for Schools, Colleges, and Literary Institution.  Size 38 by 55.  Price 95 cts., by mail.  Mounted on muslin, with rollers, $1.75; not mailable.

The Phonographer’s Song.  From a design by the late William Fisher. An illustrated sheet for framing; 25 cts.  India Proofs, $1.00.

Declaration of Independence. Engraved in the Corresponding style, for framing; 10 cts.

Gold Pens; manufactured expressly for Phonographic writing, and well adapted also for the ordinary long hand; $1.50 With silver extension holder, $2.50.

 

Phonotypic Works:

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A practical and vigorous attempt was made in 1844, y ISSAC PITMAN and ALEX. John ELLIS, of England, to realize the ideas of Dr. FRANKLIN, SIR JOHN HERSCHELL, and others, in the construction and appliance of a phonetic Alphabet for the representation of the English language.  After yeaers of experimenting, in this country as well as in England, and an expenditure of time and means which would appear fabulous to those who are not aware of the difficulties that have been encountered, an alphabet has been completed, by means of which the sounds of the language, are, as it were, daguerreotyped; so that a child, or an adult foreigner, having once mastered the alphabet, has no greater difficulty in correctly pronouncing any word that may be presented, through it be for the first time, than in giving the name of a well known friend on seeing his faithfully daguerreotyped likeness.

By the Phonetic system children are not only easily and pleasantly instructed in reading, but they acquire a clear, precise and finished enunciation, which heretofore has been grievously overlooked. The Phonetic scheme, moreover, presents the easiest and speediest means of acquiring the ability to read the common, or Romanic print.  It has been demonstrated again and again, in private teaching, and in classes of children and adults, that at least one half the time and labor devoted to the acquirement of reading by the ordinary print, may be saved by commencing with the Phonetic.

Parents and Teachers who have not tried this new method of instructing their little charges in the irksome acquirement of reading, can not possibly realize the ease and delight attending the use of the Phonetic system.

The Phonetic Dictionary. A Dictionary of the English Language, adapted to the present state of Literature and Science; with Pronouncing Vocabularies of Classical, Scriptural, and Geographical names.  Designed by Nathaniel Storrs.  Compiled by Dan. S. Smalley.  This Dictionary is the result of a legacy of ten thousand dollars, left for its compilation and publication, by the late Nathaniel Storrs, Esq., of Boston, Mass. 861 pages, handsomely bound in dark leather, marbled edges, and lettered, $3.50. By mail, carefully and securely packed, 50 cts. additional.  Clubs of four supplied (per express) at $3.25. Clubs of six $3.15.

The Phonetic Primer; by Benn Pitman.  Several new and attractive features are here introduced. It is copiously illustrated, and a new type is employed, cast expressly for this work, which, for clearness and distinctness, has not been equalled.  Illustrations are also introduced for teaching elementary forms, and the simple rules of Arithmetic.  Copious explanations for parents and teachers are given in the common print.  Price 10 cts.

The Second Phonetic Reader; by Benn Pitman; containing simple and instructive reading lessons, calculated to make children cheerful, thoughtful, and brave.  Price 20 cts.; by mail, 25 cts.

The Phonetic Journal. A monthly Journal of Phonetic and general literary intelligence, printed in Phonotypy; edited by R. P. Prosser.  This Journal contains the printed key to the monthly Reporting Exercises given in the Phonographic  Magazine. 75 cts.

Phonotypic Chart; of the new Alphabet, with explanations, elocutionary exercises, and remarks on the acquirement of a good delivery, in the common print.  Price 50 cts.

The New Testament; printed in Phonotypy.  Cloth, 75 cts. Sheep, 85 cts. Extra, $1.15. Gilt sides and edges,$1.25.  Postage 15 cts.  Longley Bros.

First Lessons in Geometry; by the Rev. Thos. Hill.  A lucid exposition of the fundamental facts of the Science, adapted ot the capacity of children.  25 cts.; by mail, 30 cts.

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AMERICAN PHONETIC ASSOCIATION.

President

BENN PITMAN, Phonographic Institute, Cincinnati, O.

Secretary, Elias Longley, Vine St., Cincinnati, O.

Treasurer, R. P. Prosser, Cincinnati, O.

Members of the Council.

Prof. W.D. HENKLE, Richmond, Ind.

Rev. THOMAS HILL, Waltham, Mass.

Prof. BOOTH, U. S. Mint, Philadelphia.

Prof. S. S. HALDEMAN, Columbia, Pa.

Dr. S. D> NEWBRO, Lansing, Mich.

Dr. J. W. STONE, Boston, Mass.

W.T. COGGESHALL, State LIbrarian, Columbus, O.

Dr. ASA HORR, Dubuque, Iowa.

DAN S. SMALLEY, Jamaica Plain, Mass.

Rev. DR. WHELDON, 200 Mulberry Street, N. Y.

Prof. KIRKPATRICK, High School Philadelphia.

E. H. MAGILL, HIgh SCHOOl, Providence, R. I.

Dr. N. B. BENEDICT, New Orleans, La.

Dr. JAMES ADAIR, Mendota, Ill.

CHARLES S. ROYCE, Huron, Erie County, O.

H. S. CLUBB, Grand Haven, Mich.

H. W. PARKHURST, Perth Amboy, N. J.

Dr. ADAMS JEWETT, Dayton, Ohio.

Capt. M. C. MEIGS, Washington, D. C.

J. H. Wood, Louisville, Ky.

Dr. L. W. TRASK, Hiram, Portage County, O.

ROBERT PATTERSON, U. S. Mint, Philadelphia.

A. B. PICKARD, Mt. Morris, Ill.

Rev. Dr. J. COOPER, Kensington, Pa.

And Twenty-three others.

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The object of this Association is the union and co-operation of the friends of the Phonetic Reform in the United States, the Territories and Canadas, for the encouragement and spread of Phonetic writing and printing.  The Association consists of a Presidnet, Secretary, Treasure, Council, and members. THe members are divided into the following classes:–

1. Phonographers who teach the arts professionally or privately, who can not, on account of other duties, attend to the gratuitous correction of exercises of learners through the post, but who are willing to answer letters of inquiry, or letters of Phonographers soliciting advice or information on matters connected with Phonography or Phonetics.

2. Phonographers who generously volunteer to correct the exercises of learners, through the post.

3. Phonographers who do their utmost to spread a knowledge of the Phonetic arts in private, but who are prevented by other duties from answering letters, or attendign to the correction of exercises.

4. Phonoeticians who do not write Phonography.

5. Honorary members.

The Association was organized in 1849, and upwards of two thousand persons have been enrolled as members.

Phonographers and Phoneticians wishing to become members, to address the Secretary, stating occupation or profession, and naming the Class in which they desire to be enrolled. No entrance fee ; no subscription. Donations voluntary.  Membership renewed annually.

For full list of Council, members, organization, etc., see list for 1857, price, 10 cents.

 

The Summit of Mt. Borah

My father Jim and sister Carolyn invited me along to their expedition to climb Mt. Borah, the highest peak in Idaho at 12,667 ft (3,861 m) on August 30, 2014.  It required an overnight camp at the base of the mountain before venturing up the trail towards the summit. Tom and I managed to summit in about 5-6 hours along with some other hikers at base, and we descended after about two hours.

I have to admit, I was curious about how all this aerobic lifestyle I’ve built up (cycling touring/commuting, cross-country running, and eating more protein, carbs, and lipids above FDA recommended amounts), would add up to my progression of this hike, after hearing how long it would take.  If anything, these climbs require great lungs capacity and plenty of hydration, which I think qualified since I felt no signs of altitude sickness or shortness of breath.  I didn’t sweat as much as other things in my aerobic lifestyle, so that was a good sign, since I’ve been instructed to keep dry on long hikes like this to reduce the risk of hypothermia and shock.

5/8 of our team:
Left to right: Ryan Clapp, Carolyn Pace, Tom Lansing, Trevor Engman, Courtney Crossland.

The mist cleared temporarily for this shot. Borah is the peak before the first one before crossing the saddle.

How many, I ask, have done this at the top of Borah?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of our team had to ditch the climb for practical reasons.  Our dog, Lucy, for example, had spotted a hare on the trail that comes out of the forest and is mostly jagged rocks.  She went into the mist and came back with a few cuts and dirt in her fir.  Lucy’s a tough and unique dog when it comes to mountaineering, but we all concluded that it would be unsafe for her to try to cross the saddle that leads to the summit, since to gain entry to the saddle requires a short climb down a steep and rocky outcrop ridge named “chicken out ridge.”  So Jim stayed with Lucy, while the rest of the team decided to turn back, and Tom and I continued on to the summit.

When Tom and I crossed the Summit, there was very little to see with the mist, so getting an approximate on how much more we had to climb was pretty pointless, and I took it out of my mind.

James Pace (Carolyn and my father).

A glimpse of Borah after the afternoon summit.

Tom and I finally made the summit sometime around noon. Tom’s height gives him the honor of being the highest man in our group in Idaho today.

My parent’s 8-year-old dog Lucy is still kicking it, though we unfortunately couldn’t get her over the ridge before the saddle to summit. Still, how many dogs can do that, I ask?

When Tom and I reached the summit, here’s how I remember the conversation went approximately:

Tom: “We did it!”

Me: “F%#%ing A!”

Tom: “Now give me a f$%^ing sandwich!”

(laughs)

Me: “Sure, let me just get out my harmonica… hold this.”

And so I played a few tunes, hoping for an echo, but to my dismay I remembered we were on a mountain, not a canyon.

Me and Tom ate almond butter and jam sandwiches and bananas and socialized with the other folks who were already on top and those coming up.  We gave congrats and started down, which was actually more treacherous then coming up.  Then Tom remembered something I’d mentioned earlier.

Tom: “Did you do your victory dance?”

Me: “Oh yeah –” I do my best to remember a demonstration of James Brown does the Boogaloo.

As we continue down, we also realize that we forgot to add our name to the list of people who came to the top of Borah’s, and I forgot a pen.  Thankfully, we were able to convince the next people coming up that they could write our names via proxy — after all, we had witnesses at the top, and who doesn’t forget a guy with a harmonica and my hat?

Obviously this isn’t in the roster of high peaks in the U.S., with so many Alaskan, Californian and other peaks that are so much higher and take multiple days.  As I talked to my father, who’s done many ascents, he did note that this peak is one of the harder ascents in the west, except when including the Canadian territories, so that made me feel like I had accomplished something.

Mt. Rainier is still on my bucket list, but I think it is safe to say that this was good prep work.

 

 

Thought I’d show you my cannondale Frankenbike and my tattooed guitar

This was taken during the 2014 Summer Solstice parade in Seattle, WA. Clothing is optional and an entire warehouse is devoted to body paint, which I scrambled to put on.

I noticed I forgotten to show my bicycle when I was giving a bio to a cycling club I belong to based in Seattle, .83.

I’ve had this frame since 2010.  It was a graduation gift from Good ole Daddy Pace, bless him.

As you might be able to tell the forks are not the same as the model, which I unfortunately forgot.  The frame is aluminum, and although it’s a tough babe, she’s old, hence all the scratches.

The front forks were hard to find after my epic crash and burn in Tukwilla in 2011 during a bicycle tour intended to reach a campsite near Tacoma — if I remember correctly.  Because of the constant replacements of seats, stems, bar tape and handlebars over the years, the bike has no official or model make, thus I dub her the Frankenbike.  However, a fellow I met last night on a .83 ride in Seattle deserves the credit for inspiring this name.  I think his name was Mark.

This photo was taken during a small tour to Victoria and later Sydney, British Columbia. However the ferry could also be headed to either San Juan or Lopez Island, also.

A closer look.

I also thought I’d showcase my guitar, another long-time held item that’s been tattooed over the years.

Props goes to the artist of best stuff: Justin Hillgrove: http://www.impsandmonsters.com/

Season’s Greetings

It’s a typical cloudy and intermittently rainy day in the Pacific Northwest.  I sit in a coffee shop in the Georgetown district of South Seattle after picking up guitar strings and bicycle tubes in this little artisan niche mecca in Seattle, which I enjoy getting work done in.

It’s been hard to put this year in perspective, because I’ve been in Auburn, WA trying to accomplish the same thing for the most part, practicing shorthand and stage handing with the occasional segway.  There were also some harsh truths to recognize, namely a few weeks ago when I discovered I wouldn’t make the cut for entering into the responsibility of scribe work for Tacoma General.

Taking the bad with the good, I learned about emergency room protocol and refreshed my medical terminology training for this position.  I just talked to one of my former Evergreen students and a current MSS trainer/scribe, Daniel Williams, who networked with me for the job initially, and he reminded me that the learning curve was steep and not to feel bad about not making the cut.  That helped a little, since he’s been a trainer for a few years at MSS.  I’m hoping these skills will provide some benefits as I continue with my goal of being a broadcast captioner and later a shorthand journalist.  I’ll go into that latter bit later.

A scribe would have been a great job with the comradery that Tacoma General provides for its employees, whether they’re working in the cafeteria or as a lab tech, and the progressive knowledge gained over the course of year’s employment — it’s a year-long commitment to work for Medical Scribe Systems.  My hard truth to swallow is that I still have some skills to hone, perhaps more than my peers, in multitasking and perhaps choosing what opportunities to sacrifice in the long run is something I should have considered earlier on.  In the past I’ve aimed to be proactive, and it’s borne some fruit since I’ve become a faster runner, a more coordinated guitar player, a more stamina driven mountaineer, and a more cunning journalist, but perhaps this is the time in my life to choose what to relinquish, now that age 27 is just around the corner.

But now that the year’s almost over, I think it’s time to reflect on what I’ve accomplished, and what I need to aim for next year.  I’ve also realized I need to sacrifice a few other goals that I hesitate from breaking up with, such as running a marathon and forming a band, despite the hours of running, stretching and core exercises, and guitar playing I’ve practiced around the neighborhoods.  I haven’t necessarily given up those disciplines, but they’ll probably be on hold this upcoming year, realistically.

I’ve been blessed with a good family who’ve helped me much of the way, as I continue education.  My parents, Jim and Pam, have been behind me every step of the way with their guidance and support.  My sister Carolyn has given me a few opportunities and inspiration as well.  Because of her invitation, I was able to summit the highest height in my lifetime, the top of Idaho at Mt. Borah, which has convinced me that I can summit Rainier next summer.  My cousins and aunts and uncles have also given me plenty to be thankful for, as their accomplishments inspire me, from my cousin Michael Dix in Michigan getting married and planning to study medicine, to my other cousin Michael Pace and his wife Heather Logue inviting me to participate and feast for Thanksgiving and letting me catch up with them and the Logue family.  Lastly, I want to congratulate my Grandmother Hazel Pace, my last living grandparent for her recovery from previous ailments which she had the stamina and determination to overcome and live another year.  She is truly an inspiration for all of her family.

My shorthand has improved, and I will continue to practice it every day I can.  Despite school being over, I’ve committed to transcribing TED and RSA videos when I can and also revisiting the software to practice formatting.  My goal is to reach 140 wpm-160 wpm by next quarter, which is usually the average speed that most people talk, provided they are not in a hurry.  Once the 160s mark is met, the possibility of interning for a captioning firm or another service such as providing Medical transcription becomes possible.  I plan on whipping out my steno machine every day for many situations, similar to this picture here:

Okay, maybe not quite that — much.  But all the same, if I can record situations like this for my freelance journalism, such as I did with my first trade journal publication (Journal of Court Reporting), I think my goal of becoming a specialist in shorthand journalism after practicing captioning post license (once I pass 225 state and federal exams) is not as much of a foregone conclusion.

My mantra has become “Don’t reinvent the wheel,” — which brings to mind Peter Becker on my mother’s side of the family, and since shorthand journalism has generally only existed as notes you put on a notepad (see my page “An old relic related to my work.”), to put it in a real time, digital format could change the perspective that shorthand is an outdated approach to producing journalistic copy.  This digital real time shorthand model for journalism is still on my drawing board, but I have a picture of this new trade being a means for reporters and copy editors to work in real time.  Imagine a reporter at a site where a story takes place, and a copy editor in another location taking the real time feed and transcribing the conversations and settings verbatim.  Essentially this would be a quicker way of getting verbatim reports than typing from a recording, and it might need some adjustment to current trends.  I don’t plan on adding this career field to practice immediately after I begin officially captioning or court reporting, however.  It will help to experience the different trades and industries before jumping into those shoes.

I want to know more about everyone else reading this.  Being couped up tapping at the keys of a laptop does take it’s toll socially and psychologically.  Share with me your thoughts and comments and take advantage of the fact that this holiday card is a blog.

Cheers!

-Nick

P.S. I promise I will make an effort not to email you using Facebook as I did two year ago.  I do feel bad about what happened after that.

Homage to Professor Jose Gomez.

I want to take the time to pay respects to a friend and teacher of mine, who passed away about sometime after October.

I hadn’t seen Professor Jose Gomez since my graduation from Evergreen in 2010, regrettably. We nevertheless had some limited contact, after I had decided, yet failed, to apply to University of Idaho Law School. Professor Gomez was the first and foremost person I decided to add to my references while applying myself to law school, because no instructor gave me more insight into American Law than Jose.

I met Jose as a student of his First Amendment Law class in 2010 as my last course at Evergreen. Jose strongly emphasized student group-work, whether it was the seminars or in the classroom, and he kept his lectures brief enough to allow us students to learn from each other. When it came time for the course’s final project, a mock trial, I was given a difficult position of defending an actual case which hadn’t made it to the supreme court, as well as defending a hypothetical gay-bashing client whose stance I had no agreement with whatsoever. Though daunted, I did my best to defend my case without any bias, sympathy or prejudice, and although I lost the mock case by a close margin, Jose remarked during my evaluation that I had defended my case with a careful and responsible manner, something I appreciated.

Even though Jose’s lectures were brief, his life story was a fascinating one. His days working with Caesar Chavez, his Harvard law days, and his role in defending gay rights in the United States were always intriguing and a delight to hear. Jose was a concise and respectable instructor, one of the best I ever had in my education.

On behalf of Jose’s friends and family, I hope that my respects will honor Jose Gomez’s memory. On behalf of one of his many students, I can say with sincerity and joy that this man changed my life, and I was privileged to be in his classroom.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Pace