We've all seen him. The toucher of hearts. The person who, for one reason or another, reshapes the way we view the world around us or who reminds us of the importance of those simple, kind gestures that smooth the path we all travel daily. It's funny, though, how our mental images of this person vary through our own lives' experiences. To me, this man is 5-foot, 2-inches with white hair and an unending smile. This particular little man definitely touched this Hart.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tim Hart, 36, is an English teacher at Sycamore High School. He lives in Fort Wright with his dog, Mister. He reads “In My Life” each week and enjoys sharing in others' stories.

        I recently spent three weeks on a parking lot from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily with the “new” Harrison County High School Band in sleepy little Cynthiana, Ky. The students and parents are terrific. I could never ask them to work any harder. The new band director has a mission, and he wants the students to surpass even the greatest successes of the past. The community loves these marchers and the sense of pride and recognition they deliver annually to the town of Cynthiana. So, what was missing this year?

        A 5-foot 2-inch man with white hair and an unending smile. His name is Bob Gregg. As I digest my recent band camp experiences, I am able to recognize more and more the vast impact that Mr. Gregg has had on those around him, both on and off the marching field.

        Mr. Gregg has retired after nearly 30 years on both the marching field and the conductor's podium. Camp began this year with a reception for Bob, celebrating his array of musical accomplishments during his tenure. The stage, filled with the trophies, plaques and banners accumulated in his career, sparkled like a field of pure gold. Though impressive, his truly golden achievements are heard through the stories, tales and anecdotes shared from the hearts of the students and parents touched by his warmth and sincerity.

        Camp begins for staff and students at 9 a.m. Camp for Mr. Gregg began at 6:30 a.m. when he began his sometimes 30-mile (one way) jaunt to pick up students. “We live too far out” was never an excuse not to participate in the band. I still picture the beat-up pick-up truck making its daily rounds, both early morning and late at night when the day was through. Mr. Gregg is a hunger detector. He made sure that all children were fed and made sure they were never made to feel embarrassed of a lack of money. Bob knew every child's story.

        Half of the time, he knew the parents' stories because they had been members of his band in the early '70s. I've always wondered how he was able to carry around the emotional baggage of his students and still have enough left in him to greet every person with a “Hey, kid” and a smile.

        For those students who had great musical talent, but no family support, guess who made sure they had plenty of opportunities to audition for scholarships? Not only did students constantly have opportunity after opportunity to participate in honors bands and all-state band, but guess who drove the school bus time and time again? This is the same man who would make home visits to those he “heard” may be interested in joining the band. Nine times out of 10, those kids were at rehearsal the next day.

        I have endless examples that would fill up the newspaper. Mr. Gregg didn't simply pick up children for rehearsal.

        He picked up lives and helped move them forward in an honorable, decent, and compassionate way.

        He didn't only feed children's stomachs; he fed their souls — reminding them constantly that they should strive to be good people first because everything else would follow.

        The true opportunities he offered children were those which allowed them to become kind and responsible adults. And, those “honors band” opportunities were chances for children to increase their sense of self-respect and respect for others.

        Share recent moments in your life by mail: In My Life, c/o The Cincinnati Enquirer; fax: 768-8330; e-mail: nberlier@enquirer.com.

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