The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune. ERIC BERTRAM CASH gave up the ghost Friday, 3rd February, at the advanced age of 93 years. He was my modern language teacher when I attended Prince Williams School from 1977 to 1980 (Forms 1 to 3) and one of my favourite dominies. I have fond and pleasant memories of him. He taught French and it was his introduction of the subject and his didacticism that made me fall in love with his classes, leading ultimately to my success in London GCE O-Level Exam. He made the classes come alive by entertaining us his pupils with the interesting details of his summer jaunts in Paris at L'Universite de La Sorbonne, and his many and varied experiences while in France, which Van Dyke described as "Paris is a woman's town with flowers in her hair, while London is a man's town, with power in the air." From his very enlightening exchanges with the class, we left with a deeper appreciation, broader education and greater love of the French culture, music, the country and its people. In addition to his duties of teaching the language of the Gauls, he ulitised his great musical ability by playing the piano for morning assemblies. Eric Cash was a Pedagogue who was never feared, but favoured by his "ecoliers", never shunned but welcomed, and not hated but respected. He loved teaching, and it was quite evident to all that he saw teaching as his vocation or calling, rather than a profession or job, for which he had to be monetarily compensated. Would that there were more teachers like him today. Henry Van Dyck wrote:- "And what of teaching? Ah! There you have the worst of all the vocations. Do not enter it unless you love it. For the vast majority of men and women it has not promise of wealth or fame but they to whom it is dear for its own sake are among the nobility of mankind. I sing the praise of the unknown teacher who lights many candles which in later years will shine back to cheer him. This is his reward." Eric Bertram Cash was among the nobility of mankind. He entered teaching for the love of it. His compensation was found in seeing his students excel in the world and live decent balanced lives. He was always delighted to meet his former students, and to enquire of their progress on the stage of life. I am extremely proud to be able to count him amongst my "professeurs" and I will forever sing his praise for the candle he lit in my life. Adieu, Monsieur Cash. Requiescat in pace. GEORGE L L HEASTIE Nassau, February 13, 2012.