I was a kid who never quite figured out high school or how to fit in. Mr Krueger was always there, always showing me that whatever talents I had were valuable, letting me hang in the music office and escape the bewildering high school crowd. I remember listening to recordings of PDQ Bach in the Music Office with Mike Perkins, Cori Ashley, and a few others, and laughing until tears rolled down our cheeks. Watching Mr Krueger laugh always made me laugh. He always looked like he was fighting it, then he'd snort, and the laughter would roll out. One of my favourite band memories was playing the Overture to Candide in the music room - he wanted to see how fast we could play. We went like the wind, playing mistakes all over the place, and he just kept going, giggling the entire time. I'm attaching a recording (not us, obviously - though I sure wish I had a tape of that!!) for those who remember that silly day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRjvscBaUCE Mr Krueger took Cori and me in his plane once. What a great experience! Recently, he read both my books, and sent me such beautiful, proud comments he made me cry. He's always been like a second dad to me, though I live far away and we haven't been in touch much recently. I'll miss just knowing he's out there somewhere, fishing, laughing ... I hope that big band in the sky knows what an amazing teacher they just got. By showing me he believed in me, and I could be successful at anything I wanted, he gave me the strength to do exactly that. I love you, Mr Krueger. Always will.