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| If you knew Gus, you know this is true |
We met at the Morton Building in Charlottesville when PVCC
was being planned. He was the chair of Humanities and Social Sciences and I was
the chair of Everything else. Two chairmen to start with. He planned courses
and curricula, space and technology and of course faculty and staff for his
area and I did the same for mine. Except mine was bigger and way more complex.
I had Math and Science and a few other things. We were moving into a brand new
purpose built building, and Gus and I were the real architects of the academic
spaces. Of course there was a librarian and a dean of students for that area,
but we ruled the campus from conception to execution. And beyond.
We were chalk and cheese in some ways: Science vs
Humanities. But Gus was interested in science and I was interested in
everything, so we fit. Both named Richard too. We spent years developing the camaraderie
of quietness that only comes from friends who know each other well. We worked
hard together and played harder together. Both with families and by our selves.
We were hell raisers on trips, but we
got the job done.
The Gus and Woody stories are numerous and some legendary,
but they mostly die with me. No one needs to be reminded what we did, where,
when and how if they were a part of it. No one needs to know details if they
weren’t. We both eventually left PVCC for other institutions and we both retired
Emeritus. We lost touch over the years, but never lost connection or memories.
He died on April 10th at age 74. I am 75. I have
only one friend I have known longer, and he is still going. I hope.
The world will miss old Gus. His infectious laugh, his
political insights, his brilliant teaching and his quiet friendship. Rest easy
old friend. You won’t be alone too much longer. The poker crowd is catching up,
and maybe we will get a good game going with Me, You, Forest, Ed, and sometimes
Chick and Peter and a few others. Remember Peter and the Keys? Remember Deep
Throat? Oh yes, we do too. Good days are ahead. Hang in there. And rest easy.
Your legacy is well secured. Oh yeah. His name was Richard Carl Gossweiler Jr.
Probably the least important to know about old Gus.
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