My friend, Dr. Arthur P. Doederlein, died two months ago.

I regret that in recent years, I didn’t say thank you to Dr. Doederlein, who had been my professor and adviser in the Department of Communication at NIU.

When I left NIU, now, years ago, and for the second time, without a degree, I didn’t leave under the best of terms – no one had been able to answer my questions, and no one knew why.

In leaving NIU when I did, one of the people I left behind was my friend, Dr. Arthur P. Doederlein.

There was really a lot that I didn’t know about him, but I knew he loved his wife and family, and he loved working at NIU, and he took great pride in both his family and his work.

That’s really a lot to know about a person, when you think about it.

And when he knew I needed help, Dr. Doederlein didn’t take a pass. He found a way to help me where he could, for which I am eternally grateful.

Dr. Doederlein befriended me when I most needed a friend. He was not alone in that regard.

So, I write, in the spirit of friendship and love, and with gratitude, remembering my friend, Dr. Arthur P. Doederlein, 1942-2012.

I remember his courage, and his decency, and that he had dared to get involved, and in doing so, he made a positive difference in my life, and the world, a better place.

I remember him for being my friend.