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Published on 04/20/1998 All articles from this issue

Memorial grove dedicated to late MVHS principal

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By Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writer

Students and staff at Mountain View High School gathered at the campus between buildings 400 and 500 April 22 to dedicate a memorial grove in honor of Tom Baer, the beloved principal who died last August after a nine-month bout with cancer, just days before the start of school.

Baer, who served as principal from 1995 until November 1996 when he was diagnosed with colon cancer, quickly become known for his enthusiasm and optimism.

"He was a wonderful team builder. The grove project was a culmination of many efforts and a real testament to the man for who it was created," said project coordinator Debra Laybhem during the dedication ceremony, where Baer's widow and his cousin were present.

A committee of staff, parents and students spearheaded a campaign to build the Tom Baer Memorial Grove last fall to provide school members a quiet place for reflection. The grove includes a grassy spot with two benches, four trees and a plaque honoring Baer.

Inscribed on the plaque is a quote from William Shakespeare, whom students said Baer would sometimes talk about during surprise visits to classrooms. The plaque reads, "I count myself in nothing else so happy as in a soul remembering my good friends."

Committee member Janet Brown said putting up the benches and trees was "a complex thing" to do in a short amount of time, but the school community wanted to get it done before the students who knew Baer graduate.

"Mr. Baer opened the door instead of closing it. He taught us how to look at ourselves and look at others. This seems the perfect place to do that," said Keetje Kuipers, a senior at Mountain View High.

Faculty also established the Tom Baer Teachers of the Future Fund, an endowment fund awarded to formerly at-risk students who plan to become teachers.

Contributions to the fund can be made to the Tom Baer Teachers of the Future Fund at P.O. Box 215, Los Gatos 95030.