IMLAY - Imlay Elementary School will be losing a long-time teacher as Robert Meldrum will retire at the end of this year. Meldrum taught 32 of his 41years as an educator in Imlay.
He was honored by students, parents, former students and co-workers at the end-of-the-year ceremony held at the school on May 22.
In a short speech Principal Shea Murphy called him a rock of the Imlay School system.
Tears could be seen in the eyes of his students, former students and co-workers as many approached the stage with gifts and comments.
Students spoke of how much he would be missed. Parents praised his teaching techniques and thanked him for his service to their children.
Meldrum had the rare opportunity to teach the parents of many of his students.
Nicole Chapai had Meldrum as a child in Imlay Elementary; her son Gavin just completed Meldrum's fifth-grade class.
"Mr. Meldrum has been a great teacher for Gavin. He went from getting in trouble and not having the greatest grades to having straight A's," Chapai said.
She remembered Meldrum, from her school days, as a disciplinarian who was fun and kind.
"He played educational games with us and let us be hands on in our learning. He kept us in line too, you didn't dare mess around in his class," she added.
Molly Rector had Meldrum in third grade at the Orovada School in Humboldt County.
"It (Orovada) was the same type of small school as Imlay. I remember thinking, 'could that be the same Mr. Meldrum?'" Rector recalled when registering her daughter Renee Gokey for kindergarten.
Rector had two daughters taught by Meldrum.
"I'm glad they got to have him as a teacher. He is going to be missed," Rector said.
Meldrum also will miss the Imlay School.
"I've spent almost half my life here (Imlay School). I'm going to miss it," the 64-year-old Meldrum said.
Among his plans for retirement is travel. Meldrum is an avid fan of Southeastern Conference football. He said he plans to catch a few University of Florida games later this year.
As a joke Pershing County School District Superintendent Dan Fox brought Meldrum a travel bag put together of Meldrum's favorite drink, chocolate milk.
"I met Mr. Meldrum 19 years ago. Through the years I've learned that he is an avid SEC fan and a chocolate milk fanatic," Fox said as he pulled out of a paper bag a box of powdered milk, chocolate syrup, a gallon of water and a big cup, calling it Meldrum's traveling chocolate milk.
Included in other presents he received was a book with letters to Meldrum from former students comprised by a former teacher of Imlay Elementary, Cindy Plummer, who worked with Meldrum when he first started at the school.
After traveling for a while Meldrum said he plans to settle down, possibly in Fernley. He also plans on doing some volunteer work in the public school system.
"My paid days are over but my public school days aren't over," Meldrum said.
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