I harbor few illusions that people take to heart sermons like I'm about to preach. Yet later on in life we just might look back and remember. W. T. Leitze taught me that very early in life. W. T. Leitze was one of the kindest, most trusting individuals who ever lived. Mr. Leitze, a 60-year-old bachelor who weighed at least 300 pounds, was my ninth grade algebra teacher. Mr. Leitze's whole life was centered around his students. His lectures always interwove basic algebraic principles with basic Christian morals. He had abiding faith in his students and could move a class of 15-year-old boys and girls to tears as he voiced his dreams for the contributions that class could make to society.

Well, one Friday morning Mr. Leitze walked into the algebra class a little late. As he stood by his desk …