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Mr. Sullivan FAC '67-'87      † 15 November 2005 †
English


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13 April 2016
Our mother Mrs Christel H Sullivan passed away. We have cleared my parents home so the apartment on Friedrichsruher Str. 16 has closed its doors.
Sincerely,
Kristina "Tina" M. Sullivan

15 November 2006
Your beloved professor passed away on 15 November 2005 at 8:55pm at home. His last words were for my mother "my sweetheart" he then looked at me with a smile and took a last breath, my brother Cormac his youngest son was present.
The funeral will be on 18 November 2005 at 10:00am at Am Waldfriedhof Dahlem near the BERLIN American High School. Those of you who would like to come to say farewell please do so.

My father loved classes and always had everybody in his heart.
Please stay in touch, my mother would be so happy to hear from you please keep memories alive.

Sincerely,
Kristina "Tina" M. Sullivan


Fond Memories posted over the Years

28 Jul 2006

Memorial Service
Click for a larger view.



25 Sep 2006

It was with great sorrow I read of Mr. Sullivan's passing. I had the privilege of his teaching in 67 in English literature and a makeup of a semester of American literature. I was also back at school in 68 to continue running the lunch time radio station with my brother. If there ever was an original mold breaker he was it.

After 39 years I can still remember his telling a joke or pun and then leaning over and waiting to see the grade I would give it. A knee slapping "A" or a hat (cowboy) over the heart, eyes to heaven "F". I even remember a couple of the rolling on the floor ones and a tombstone. I was glad to see the grading of his jokes and puns was carried on. I remember his "Mr. Fason there is only one other person who spells worst than you, and his name is also Mr. Fason, your brother." And his "Mr. Fason you need to take a good book to bed with you, the dictionary." I remember the challenge to tape him singing his rendition of "Ruler of the Queen's Navee" which I did, after a few months of failed attempts, and played on the lunchtime radio show. After having admitted to reading most of H. G. Wells's book, I was challenged to expand my reading to James Joyce or Charles Darwin. The one regret I have is I lost the paper I wrote explaining the numerology of the Travels of Gulliver he challenged me to research and write.

39 years later I can look back and say he played a big part in what I am today. His challenges' are still there (I can feel him looking over my shoulder even now). I do not think he ever tried to "teach" anything but in stead he challenged you not to learn. And he made it a fun and enjoyable time. Any time, during my 20 years in the army, I had to write a report or teach a class I could feel him watching. For the last 16 years I have been working as a Technical Trainer and Course Developer. In the back of my mind, as I taught and wrote the material for the classes, was the example of Mr. Sullivan. As I contemplate the possibly of moving into teaching, I know who I will model my style after.

The World has lost a great man, but as I read all the glowing words of his past students and fellow teachers, he will live on as legends will always do.
Dan Fason '67



26 May 2006

I wasn't one of Mr. Sullivan's students in Germany, but much earlier, from 1958 through 1960 at Pepperrell Air Force Base, in St. John's, Newfoundland. He began by teaching us what he called "Comparative Philology" but that soon changed to Latin as the school system approved the program.
L. Neil Smith '60



4 Feb 2006

I was a bit saddened to hear of Mr. Sullivan's death. I was surprised, however, that it was so recent, as I always thought he was already really old when I was in high school (Class of '80). The Sullivan family lived upstairs from me when we lived on Steward Strasse in Dahlem. I knew his wife and his kids, Tina, Brian, and Cormak, who was in Kindergarten at the time. I can't say I had a personal relationship with him, as others seem to have had, but I can attest to the fact that he obviously touched my life because to this very day I quote him from time to time ('I'd be delighted--as the firefly said as it backed into the fan'). I remember him clearly and enjoyed his classes. I had both English and American Lit with him and I still have every term paper/book report I ever wrote for him. I think I'll get them out and re-read the comments he wrote. All except for the one which got a bad grade; I'm still sore about that after all these years. (For that and at Mr. Bluem for giving me a 'B' on my World Regions map that was clearly better than anyone else's even if my magic marker pen marks all ran together.) I was only offered an extra 100 once, and that was for naming all the geographic regions of Australia and their capitals (I failed to name them all but got close enough to startle him. I don't recall him ever actually giving anyone an extra 100 because the questions were usually quite tough). Another favorite quote of his that I still use is 'I can read your mind. The print is large and there aren't many words on the page'. Ah, I really liked his dry wit and humorous way of teaching class. I won't forget him. Here's to you, Mr. Sullivan.
Bryan Reiff '80



13 Jan 2006

Dear BERLIN Alumni -

I was just forwarded a link to your website and your tribute to Mr. Philip B. Sullivan II. As you probably know, he taught at Madrid High School in the early to mid '60s, prior to going to BERLIN. We (MHS alumni) still think of him as our own private treasure, but it's certainly unrealistic of us to think his towering gifts would have been confined to his Madrid years.

Several of us kept in touch with him over time. We usually refer to him as PBSII or The Beloved Professor, and he has been a constant presence in our adult lives - as he was hugely influential in our high school years. I was lucky enough to have him for three years of Latin and two years of Russian ... and an equal amount of James Joyce, great and awful puns, "extra-100" questions (factored into our semester grades), and yes, even then, Green Bay Packers. He had cards made, one which read "El Duque del Rio Pato," the Duke of Duck Creek, the other was "El Conde de Bahia Verde," the Count of Green Bay. And he USED them!

The last Christmas card he was able to write to me, a couple of years ago, had a post-script: a question worth 100 extra points (that I still haven't answered). I suppose now he's tallying up grades for a greater purpose.

It's wonderful to know that so many brats, now spread around the world and in all walks of life, had this marvelous person in their lives. We miss you, Beloved Professor. As sad as we feel to lose him, it is comforting to know that, as his daughter Tina has told me, he was aware of how deeply he was appreciated by so many students - a life well-lived.

Yours in Sullivan,
Sharon (Sam) Stanley Alden
MHS Class of 1964
AKA "Miss Stanley!"



18 Nov 2005

I had Mr. Sullivan for Sophomore English during the class year of 86-87. Unfortunately he was unable to finish the year with us because he had a heart attack. i especially remember his opening jokes as he would start off the class. "I will be now taking the roll even though I am not hungry right now" was his most common opening line. He also always teased a buddy of mine, Greg Newton, because of his last name. His trivia questions that could be worth a possible semester grade were interesting. I know that he was an inspiration to me and he will be sorely missed.
Ken Emerson '89

I never had Mr. Sullivan as a teacher, but it saddens me that another piece of our special "Brat History" is gone. My condolences to his family, who not only lost a great teacher, but a husband, a father and friend. Vaya Con Dio, Mr. Sullivan.
Nancy Robinson Chiles '81

Mr Sullivan was the best! God I remember being such a pain in the butt back then, yet he always took time to sit down with me to talk about life, and help him open his mail. I will never forget him...
James Conway '89



17 Nov 2005

Mr. Sullivan will be greatly missed.
Kinshasha Banks

Mr, Sullivan was one special man, right until the end. I will surely write to his family.
Sarah Lewkowicz '79

Mr Sullivan was and will always have a special place in my heart. He touched my life in so many ways. I really appreciate you sharing this with me. Stay in touch. Please give his family my regards, and I will definitely keep them in my prayers.
Dr. Toney C. Parks '75

Although I did not have your father as a teacher, I knew people who did and he will be missed. I am so sorry for your family's loss and for the loss of those who learned from him through out his life as an educator, friend, and father. With Deepest Sympathies.
Lynn Hardaway '89

The world is a lesser place with his passing. He was one of the most brilliant people I have ever met.
Bob Wood '83

I am deeply saddened to hear about his passing. I wrote him a letter last week, but I know he didn't receive it before passing. I pray for peace and comfort for his family and that they find comfort in the knowledge that he touched so many young lives.
Peggy Vine-Barring '82

To the scholar, poet, punster, and wielder of the rapier wit: Farewell, sir, we shall meet again and the occasion shall be the greater for our time apart. Your legacy is more than fond memories. Your contribution to the forging of a generation of young lives has erected a monument in each of our hearts which will carry us to that day when we are united.
Adieu,
Ambulatorius
Craig Walker '81

I haven't seen Mr. Sullivan since 1971, but he has always been with me and will be with me still. Prayers to his wonderful family, especially tomorrow. I know he did not go gently into that good night, he went skidding in hollering, WOOOHOO WHAT A RIDE!!!!!!
Ruchia (Eargle) Moran '73



9 Nov 2005

Tina: your e-mail regarding your father, a teacher of mine and my classmates from 1983-1986 at BAHS, was distributed throughout our group this morning. My name is Kristy and I am the Class Contact for the BERLIN Brats Alumni Association, Class of 1986. Upon learning of your father's condition, several classmates shared memories of your dad this morning through a series of e-mails. I wanted to share them with you - and hopefully you can share them with the great Mr. Sullivan for us. He was a great teacher and he is a big part of our BERLIN experience. Our best wishes to your dad and your whole family on behalf of the BERLIN American High School Graduating Class of 1986.
Deepest regards,
Kristy O'Hearne '86 Class Contact - on behalf of all 1986 Alumni

I was never proficient or interested in any English class until I had Mr. Sullivan in my sophomore year. Besides Mr. Leonard, he is the only other teacher I think about from time to time, quite fondly, and remember how much I loved his class. I don't remember many of the names or faces of my high school teachers, but those two left a lasting impression on me. Thank you Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Leonard.
Richard Gast '86, Senior Project Manager

Ahh... Sullivan.. Spent a lot of time with that guy laughing. We traveled together for soccer all over Europe! He actually tried to talk me into staying for my senior year. That meant a lot! He got me to read some great novels. We would talk about them on the duty train rides. I remember running into to him and another teacher a Volksfest. We all had drinks in our hands..... Awkward moment..... He just laughed & we all walked in separate directions. He was the best!!!! Remember his jokes!? Every class started with a joke. I can see his classroom. Back in the far corner of the first floor. I'd give my right arm to hear his chuckle at the BERLIN reunion....
Johnny (Hubbard) '86

Does anybody remember our senior year...we had pizza delivered for everyone in the class, including Mr. Sullivan? We made sure he had anchovies! The teachers that made a lasting impression on me were Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Leonard and Mr. Schmoll....I've talked a lot about my class with Mr. Sullivan over the past years.......
Karrie (Kotcher) Sutton '86

Wasn't it Mr. Sullivan who used to say....even though I'm not hungry, I'm going to take the roll.....something like that! I remember Mr. Sullivan having a clever sense of humor...one that I appreciate more now then I did back then. A student has many teachers over the years...but only a few that you can talk about 20 years later with such great fondness and appreciation.
God bless-
Kristy O'Hearne '86




13 Sep 2004

Mark, regarding the magic trick you mention, I recall that as well. It will probably not surprise you to know that he was doing that same trick back in '74 when I first had him.
David Mills '75




10 Sep 2004

Ahhh, to be a Sullivan! He wrote a 'Latin' word on the board and requested that I find its meaning. The word was 'NAVILLUS'. While I was convinced that it had something to do with the sea, a month later I found, at the expense of his famous evil chuckle, that it was really my, and his, last name spelled backwards. :) And what about those puns! Lettuce begin said the cabbage farmer! I'm on a roll so lets not get in a jam by buttering me up!!!
Bruce Sullivan '84




3 Jul 2004

I submit numerous on-line articles under the pen name of Ambulatorius. Mr. Sullivan gave me the name in his ancient history class. It means Walker in Latin. I loved that man. My favorite one was when he said that Trojans slipped into Greece.
Craig Walker '81




9 Jun 2004

I last saw Mr. Sullivan in 1971. I was crazy about the man. Not only was he incredibly intelligent, his sense of humor was so sharp! He was one of my favorite teachers. He was a stickler for grammar (I became a journalist) and as for making fun of names....I won't go there...I will never forget him. God bless you, Mr. Sullivan....GO GREEN BAY!!
Ruchia (Eargle) Moran '73




3 Jun 2004

Mostly I remember my brother Mike and I having the competition on our tests. Once Mike opened the door and fell in to the floor. Told Mr. Sullivan that he was just "Dropping in" to say Hi! LOL He used to have shoot outs with Chris Cahoon (I think I spelled that right....)
Then of course there were his dry humor jokes about my last name.... Fuse, which was never pronounced correctly!
Michelle Fuse '80




2 Jun 2004

Some more Cherished "Sullivan" memories:
When we got him the name plaque for his desk in English class that announced him a member of the Flat Earth Society! (He always joked about that)
Then the time we got the small battery powder laugh bag and would squeeze it when he said a particularly bad joke and it shrieked out a looong laugh.
And of course the wonderful "Ides of March" when we turned all the desks and furniture around, taped the doorway and fled from the classroom before he arrived to start that class. He just loved it all.
And then his always referring to his more important resource book, the FARMER's Almanac!
Mr. Sullivan is wonderful! And a kind side- he wanted us all to succeed in life.
Sarah Lewkowicz '79




12 Oct 2003

In '79 I had him for Mythology. He used to give the test verbatim so many of us...of course not me...would make cheat notes and ace his tests. He was a Packer fan before it was cool to be one. He is the one who dubbed me Ambulatorius...Latin for Walker.
I am ecstatic that he is still around. He was an icon. Do y'all remember how he would say, "The Trojans slipped into Greece." "The Persian boy said to his father: That's not my Bagdad"? I loved that man. I still do impressions of him for those unappreciative souls who never knew him, thus, could not appreciate the impression.
Craig Walker '81




27 Apr 2003

I recently spoke with Mr. Sullivan's wife....they live just down the street from my place... she invited me to come over and spend some time with him (he is now very hard of hearing, and his sight is fading too) but apparently in good spirits and good humor...
David Jung '74




8 Nov 2002

I had forgotten that one. He did make a funny face as if he smelled something unpleasant whenever he said something about teenagers in love. He made me realize that it was okay not to feel lovey dovey about any of the knuckleheads I went to school with. I had wonderful friends but wasn't in loooove with anyone yet!
Charlotte Redd Wood,'82

In our class I remember him saying "Love spelled L-U-S-T"!!!!
(As usual he was right on - he related so well to teenagers even though he was close to retirement at the time.)
Cary Nelson '79




7 Nov 2002

I love this thread. It is so funny, so cool. We were really graced with some awesome teachers at BAHS.
Julianna Hamilton-Wollam '86

I remember getting comments from Mr. Sullivan on the book reports we had to do. On one in particular, he wrote "Excellent" in reference to a point I made. I was never so PROUD!! It meant a lot coming from him. I had plenty of the "other type" of comments, too! :) I also remember Mr. Sullivan telling our class that he was very curious about romance novels - he wanted to read for himself just how bad they were but he could never bring himself to buy one! He was afraid someone might see him!! I wish I'd bought one for him! HaHaHa
Susan (Setzer) Hackman '82

I think it was the first or second week of school, and I still thought Mr. Sullivan was a tough disciplinarian, and kind of scary. So I was mortified when, just before class started, Charles Kelly announced that everyone should wad up pieces of paper and, the third time Mr. Sullivan made a pun, launch an all-out paper wad attack on him! This did not strike me a being a particularly good idea but, being a new kid, I of course succumbed to peer pressure and went along. Well, the third pun was not long in coming - I think Mr. Sullivan had his back to the class when he said it - and suddenly the air was filled with paper wads raining down on our teacher. Mr. Sullivan spluttered, and tried to look gruff, but couldn't keep from smiling. ( I wonder if this paper wad attack may have been something of a tradition?) Everyone cracked up, chaos reigned for a while, and then it was back to work; but Mr. Sullivan no longer seemed scary and I think the class was the better for it. Kudos to both Charles Kelly and Mr. Sullivan!
Robin Westerfield '74




6 Nov 2002

Does anyone else remember how he would make up his face in a grimace when ever he said "Luuuve"? He always acted like being in love and all that was a bunch of sentimental bunk. I was particularly antagonistic toward the idea of romance and love myself at this point in my life, so I always got a kick out of him making fun of us teens: "in luuuuv".
Yoshika Loftin '83




4 Nov 2002

Mr. Sullivan, One of a Kind
His & my banter every year over who was gonna fight for last place in the NFL. His beloved Green Bay Packers or my Beloved Washington Redskins. Every monday was a joke over which team played the worst. The funniest part about it was I love it & Him.
Tim Craig '79

Love the comment about "Fuller Brush"! Mr. S. made good-natured jokes and puns with students' names all the time. His nickname for me (and all his students through the years named Nelson) was "Admiral Nelson". He always managed to tell little nautical-theme jokes about me in class. Then when I graduated, he wrote "Sail away Admiral" in my yearbook.
Also, he was the only teacher I remember who used to break up couples who were making out in the hall ("PDA"). He was always nice about it, though. I think it was a moral thing for him - he was a very religious man. He always carried a rosary in his pocket - that was the first time I had ever known somebody who carried a rosary all the time.
Cary Nelson '79

Gosh, this is all coming back now! Hilarious stories everyone! I remember when the recruiters would come to school and all the guys told Mr. Sullivan that they had to go see the recruiter and then they'd promptly run out the door. And I'm sure EVERYONE remembers his parting remark to them -- "God help us now!" A total LOL! He was so funny! Everything from "Dash it all!" when he'd drop a paper to "Foo foo LaFlame (thanks Cary for reminding us!). I also remember him passing out tests and warning us not to finish before he got back to his desk and, of course, half of us were by then! (Remember the smell of those mimeographed purple ink tests? Our kids wouldn't know what the heck we were talking about!) Great memories! I only hope our kids have as interesting a character as Mr. Sullivan for a teacher, too!
Valerie Jackson '80




3 Nov 2002

I remember that now! FooFoo LaFlame and Fifi LaTorch!
I also remember his sentiment to us who had "the battleship Recucki" He actually drew a picture of a battleship on the board one day and wrote USS Recucki on the bow.
Yoshika Loftin '83

I remember that Sir Philip's class was the one class (besides computers of course) that I was actually looking forward to taking. Unfortunately, the school board decided my Junior year to change his class from English Literature to what he derisively called "Uncle Sully's Bonehead English." It was a monumental waste of his talent, but he still made it interesting.
We had one kid in our class (which was immediately after lunch) whose last name was Brush, and nearly every day Sir Philip would say to him, "Well sir, would you now say that you are a Fuller Brush?"
He would also say at the end of class, "For those of you who are now going to see Miss Recucki, whom we with all affection refer to as 'The Dragon Lady', I can only say that you have my deepest sympathies."
Bob Wood '83

Let's not forget those hundreds of papers that all had "Ha Ha!" inked on them when we poor students were too tired to laugh or guffaw at one of the jokes.
Joel Smith '81

I have lots of good memories of Mr. Sullivan - he was definitely one of my favorite teachers. Probably my favorite memory was whenever he would refer to a bimbo woman or a "woman of ill repute" or that type of female he would refer to these two fictional women named Foofoo LaFlame and Fifi LaTorch (he said their names in a high falsetto voice too!). To this day whenever I see a woman who looks kind of like a floozy I think to myself "Foofoo LaFlame"....
Cary Nelson '79




2 Nov 2002

Sullivan did have a magic touch when it came to Shakespeare. He quoted Shakespeare all the time. Some of these quotes were extra credit questions on quizzes or tests.
No other teacher came close to the depth that Sullivan brought to each and every class.
Charlotte Redd Wood '82

Shakespeare...thanks to him, I can actually say that I understand Hamlet and Macbeth. He actually put life back into those plays and allowed them to be fun once again. From what I hear from others who went to school elsewhere, Mr. Sullivan was gifted to do such indeed.
Joel Smith '81

Charlotte, Now that you tell me, I remember that his first name was Philip. He just wasn't one of those I felt comfortable calling by his given name. I was only 35 at the time. . .younger than you are now. . .MAN! How time flies!!!
My daughter, Connie, class of '83, thoroughly enjoyed Mr. Sullivan's class. She has many stories of her time spent there. I wouldn't attempt to re-tell them as I wasn't there, but if she saw this posting, I'm sure she would share them with all.
Patty Beech 'FAC

Ma Beech, his first name was Philip. In our class he was referred to as Sir Philip. The man was a wonder. I have a life long love of learning history because of Sir Philip. His class was so popular that I remember arriving at class to find a senior (and not a classmate) in my seat. This guy didn't want to leave! He was skipping some other class to attend ours. The classroom was always packed.
He would crack the corniest jokes too. There was one kid that would always fall down on the floor laughing and rolling around. Mr Sullivan would glare at him and say in his stuffiest voice, "Well, that's quite enough of that!"
But it still happened on a weekly basis at least! I can't remember the kid's name any longer.
Charlotte Redd Wood,'82

I totally remember that. As a matter of a fact, I will often crack that joke....but it's usually just me who thinks it's funny. :)
Marcia Welch '83 (Spohn)



1 Nov 2002

I'm sure others can remember this one-
He would introduce that he was about to do a magic trick. He would turn the closed door in his classroom into a jar. Solemnly and dramatically, he would walk to the closed door, open it, and announce: this door is now ajar!
Mark Millen '83

I can only speak from the faculty side, but Mr. Sullivan (yes, I called him Mr. Sullivan - did he have a first name?) was a stickler for correct English and grammar, thank God! As I'm sure you are aware, teachers send messages to other teachers via faculty mailboxes. Mr. Sullivan had a habit of correcting in red ink those messages he received and then sending them back to the originators. Think how embarrassing it must have been to have your message marked up by the English professor and sent back like some deficient term paper! Thankfully, none of my messages suffered this treatment. . . I respected the man immensely.
Patty Beech 'FAC

Of the many memorable moments in Mr. Sullivan's English Literature class, one of my favorites was his joy in murdering a particular student, Bruce Miller. It was the fall of 1973. Mr. Sullivan would, as many of you recall, have us take turns reading Shakespeare. Bruce, class of '75, had attended a prep school, I think, where he had been active in Drama, and was very animated when called upon to read. Pretty soon, a pattern emerged. Whenever we reached a point in the play where a character was about to be killed, Mr. Sullivan would stop, change the parts, assign the part of the person being killed to Bruce and then, with great relish, assign the part of the murderer to himself. Bruce, to his credit, took it very well, and the two of them would ham up the death scenes, with Sullivan throwing in an evil laugh or two regardless of the script. Great teacher, great class. Anyone else remember this or anything similar?
Robin Westerfield '74



10 Jul 2002

Sullivan was probably the teacher I liked almost as much as Leonard. I only had him for the second semester of his american Lit course in 73-74. I remember his very droll wit, verses Leonard's in-your-face approach.
Michael Ferris '75



1 Mar 2002

I really loved Mr Sullivan! My 17 year old thinks I'm totally nuts when I tell her how great my Shakespeare experience was. He made it all so fun and easy to understand, if you could live through the puns and Green Bay Packers! Truly awesome teacher.
Mona Owen-Osburn '78



5 Jan 2002

If you didn't know him, you missed out a great human being. I agree, he made me realize school wasn't all boring. Thanks Mr Sullivan.
Janine Fisher '78



20 Dec 2001

In Greek Mythology with Mr. Sullivan in 80/81 we had April Coffin, me, Jim Triplett and Kevin Wilt. He loved having a Vine and Wilt and a Coffin in the same class. I'm sure all of you can only imagine all the puns he had at our expense. LOL I know he'd really enjoy the Vine-Barring name now..."How are you barring up today? Have you lost your barrings? What kind of fruit does your vine bear?" He could go on and on....and who could forget when we all made "Hearty Gaffaw" signs to hold up every time he told a joke so we wouldn't have to laugh out loud. And the time we locked him out of the class room. Anyone?
Peggy Vine-Barring '82

I remember turning the desks around. I also remember everyone pulling their desks in tight around Mr. Sullivan's. That one backfired though because, as usual, he taught class that way. It was awfully hard to fall asleep unnoticed when you're only a few feet from Mr. Sullivan!! I had Kevin Buckles in my class - Mr. Sullivan teased him endlessly!
Susan Setzer-Hackman '82

I always remembered the "Lettuce begin as the salad maker said" every time he was ready to begin his lesson plan. Carole, the class of 82 turned their desks around, and he just kept on teaching as if nothing was going on. I also remember David Guerin and Jim Triplett trying to go through his book shelf at the front right of the room to obtain info. on the Shakespeare Lines.
Sharon McAuley '82



19 Dec 2001

What memories. Mr. Sullivan with his odd little facts, i.e. if a person were to throw a penny off the top of the empire state building and it were to hit someone on top of the head, it would pass right through him. So, he said, there were security people there making sure there was no madman lurking about holding a bag of pennies.
Colin Layfield '74



11 Sep 2001

Just got an Email from my dad that lives still in BERLIN and knows Philip and Christel Sullivan. Dad says the they are still alive and kicking. Philip or as we all know him Mr Sullivan is 82 years young now. Mom used to work with Christel at the thrift shop that was next to the AFN studios.
Lydia Gadarian '76



8 Aug 2001

"Hearty Guffaw!" I'd forgotten that and the locker poundings! Thanks for the reminder! What great fun that was.
David Davidson '80



7 Aug 2001

One of the greatest teachers there ever was.
Jackie Strickland '75



6 Aug 2001

"I'm going to take roll even though I'm not a bit hungry!"
Tom Britton '83

I used to be late to his first period class every morning, and being the kind of guy he was, he just stopped counting, and would 'take bets' on whether 'Miss Loftin' would beat the bell this morning. (He didn't ever give me detention). If he had been collecting on those bets, he would have made a fortune. He was one of only two teachers that bought me a graduation present. I still have the crystal coasters to this day.
Yhoshekia Loftin '83

Hearty Guffaw! Mr. Sullivan was the "Crown Prince of Punsters." I remember my Senior year. The first week of classes he would take me out in the hall, all because I one upmanshipped him, and had me pound the lockers and then go back into class holding my stomach or my jaw...scared the heck out of the new students. One day we went out in the hall and I convinced him to hit the lockers and return to class holding his stomach...he was just that kind of guy. I respected him very much! Hail Caesar!
Glenn Reilly '81



2 Aug 2001

I had the pleasure of having him for senior english. Back then all his tests were multiple choice but "spelling counted".
Lynn Kennedy '69

I remember when one day Mr. Sullivan came in late for the start of class of morning, and everybody in the classroom turned their desks around. When Mr. Sullivan came in the class, he just started teaching and did not even know what had happened. He was a good teacher.
Carole Peterson '78



1 Aug 2001

I'll give anyone an "A" for the semester and a pass to the library for every class from now to the end of the school year if you can answer this question.......Remember how he'd always post the scores for Packer games?
Larry Speer '83

Yeah Larry, he and I had a standing bet every year on which team would be the worst mine or his. I'm a Redskins fan and during the 70's we sucked !!!! We would cry the blues and fight over who had the worst weekend.
Tim Craig '79



30 Jul 2001

Mr. Sullivan made MORE than just a passing impression on me. He was a truly great teacher and human being. He taught us to respect each other... I took a Latin class (for heavens sake) because I enjoyed him as an instructor. The Ides of March don't pass without me having great memories of this man and BAHS.
Beccy Carron '78

Mr. Sullivan was awesome! Remember all his puns? And how about the Burger King crown when we did Hamlet and Macbeth. The best teacher I've ever had.
David Davidson '80



29 Jul 2001

I had heard from him over the years- the latest Dec 2000. He was a marvelous person. Remember the Ides of March?
Sarah Lewkowicz '79