Doug Fix dies at 61
ESCANABA - Former students and colleagues remember Doug Fix as a exceptional teacher who inspired many students. Fix, 61, former Escanaba High School English teacher and school board member, passed away Saturday.
Fix died of an apparent heart attack after collapsing during the Lake Superior Shore run in Marquette.
Fix was a teacher from 1972 to 2000 and served on the Escanaba District School board from 2000 to 2004.
“I was absolutely shocked, blown away...but I guess you never know when those things will happen,” said Gladstone High School Assistant Principal Jim Hansen. Hansen, who was Escanaba High School principal at the time, worked with Fix since 1978.
“I’ve never worked with a teacher with such a high level of ability to inspire kids as Doug had,” he said.
Hansen recalled former students of Fix’s English classes. Hansen’s son, Jay, is now an English teacher who was also encouraged by Fix. Tom Bissell, another former student who is now a professional writer, has written several books and articles.
“Doug could take a student with a negative attitude about themselves who hated school, and transform him into a kid who wanted to come - who developed a positive outlook about who they were and what they wanted to do with their future,” said Hansen. “He was a super teacher, no question about it.”
Escanaba School Superintendent Tom Smith knew Fix as a teacher, school board member and a runner for 14 years. Fix ran many races, including the Boston Marathon this year, he said. “He was master teacher,” said Smith. “Doug Fix was all about kids on every issue.”
Former student Justin Gluesing was an English teacher and now an administrator at the Alpena High School in Alpena as a result of Fix’s instruction in 1988. “He’s the reason I became a teacher,” he said. “I think he changed more lives than anyone I know.”
“He was passionate,” added Gluesing. “He told me, it’s the only thing that works, and he was a living example to that.”
“It’s a loss for the Escanaba community,” said Smith. “(Fix) was a spokesmen for education and for kids. I think we’re at a loss for words...”
Fix died of an apparent heart attack after collapsing during the Lake Superior Shore run in Marquette.
Fix was a teacher from 1972 to 2000 and served on the Escanaba District School board from 2000 to 2004.
“I was absolutely shocked, blown away...but I guess you never know when those things will happen,” said Gladstone High School Assistant Principal Jim Hansen. Hansen, who was Escanaba High School principal at the time, worked with Fix since 1978.
“I’ve never worked with a teacher with such a high level of ability to inspire kids as Doug had,” he said.
Hansen recalled former students of Fix’s English classes. Hansen’s son, Jay, is now an English teacher who was also encouraged by Fix. Tom Bissell, another former student who is now a professional writer, has written several books and articles.
“Doug could take a student with a negative attitude about themselves who hated school, and transform him into a kid who wanted to come - who developed a positive outlook about who they were and what they wanted to do with their future,” said Hansen. “He was a super teacher, no question about it.”
Escanaba School Superintendent Tom Smith knew Fix as a teacher, school board member and a runner for 14 years. Fix ran many races, including the Boston Marathon this year, he said. “He was master teacher,” said Smith. “Doug Fix was all about kids on every issue.”
Former student Justin Gluesing was an English teacher and now an administrator at the Alpena High School in Alpena as a result of Fix’s instruction in 1988. “He’s the reason I became a teacher,” he said. “I think he changed more lives than anyone I know.”
“He was passionate,” added Gluesing. “He told me, it’s the only thing that works, and he was a living example to that.”
“It’s a loss for the Escanaba community,” said Smith. “(Fix) was a spokesmen for education and for kids. I think we’re at a loss for words...”