Prof. Luther K Brice 1928-2026

You've told a story about a teacher you once had, or maybe an old friend you've long since lost contact with. If you find yourself in that situation, or if you know someone in that situation, consider reaching out to them. Let them know you still remember them fondly. 

I did that back in 2018. I reached out to my freshman chemistry professor from 1974-1975: Professor Luther Brice. I sent him a letter, an email, thanking him. My letter was intended just for him, just to let him know. A simple gesture. It sparked a correspondence and we also became FB friends. 

Apparently, my letter meant something to him, enough that he shared it with his family.  And his family reached out to me recently to let me know Prof. Brice had passed away at 98. And they asked permission to read my letter publicly at his memorial services. A few days ago, I was told:

"My son, who is also a professor, read your wonderful letter at the memorial. It was so well received, people clapped at the end. They laughed and smiled at your stories and reflections. Thank you again for remembering my Uncle Luther."

I am moved and proud, to have known him at all, and to somehow have participated in his life.

I'm going to share the text of my letter here. Perhaps it may inspire you to reach out to some person from your past, just to let them know you remember them.

Here is the letter I wrote to Dr. Brice in 2018:

Dear Prof. Brice,

I was one of your 23,593 (according to a citation I saw) chemistry students. Starting in the fall of 1974 I took your Honors Chemistry class. I fell a few credits short of a double major in Chemistry and Physics while at Virgina Tech, but I went on to get a PhD in Physics.

Your Honors Chemistry class my freshman year was my first college level experience in science. I can't imagine a better start and at 60 years old I thought it high time to thank you.

Thank you Prof. Brice. For your love of science, teaching and life.

The proximate cause of my writing was a memory of you I shared with my girlfriend Olga. A tale of aluminum. 

Sometime in that 1974-5 school year I was sitting on the floor in the hallway outside your lecture hall. Others may have used that room, but it was yours.

You were on your way to (or from, I can't recall) that lecture hall when you passed near enough to me for me to ask you a question:

"Prof. Brice, is it true you shook the hand of the man, who shook the hand of the man, who shook the hand of the man, who discovered aluminum?"

I seem to recall you made that claim in class lecture one day. You replied cheerfully, "why yes, that's true!"

So naturally, I could not miss the opportunity. "Would you shake my hand?"

I remained seated on the floor as you leaned over, took my hand and proclaimed with a grin "I'll shake anybody's hand!"

Over the years, from time to time, I've shaken someone's hand and proudly announced "I shook the hand of the man, who shook the hand of the man, who shook the hand of the man, who shook the hand of the man who discovered aluminum. And now I'm shaking you're hand."

Sometimes the number of "shooks" varies in the telling. But I carry that bit of you around in my pocket, and have put it to good use more than once.

There were other stories and rumors about you at Tech. You were supposed to be independently wealthy, worked for a dollar a year because you didn't need the money, having made your fortune inventing napalm. 

I'd always hoped to attend one of the parties you were famous for, or at least witness your magic show. But then, in some way I did. In your class every day was a show.

One day you wrote the word "unionized" on the board and mused that one word could cover both labor practises and a neutral atom. You remarked about a then popular advertisement for a battery additive the would keep your battery from discharging, which you pointed out was the only thing you wanted a battery for.

I confess when I googled you it was mainly to find if you were still alive. Which, btw, I'm quite pleased to learn you are. I came across this remarkable interview with you 

http://digitalsc.lib.vt.edu/Ms2015-007/Ms2015-007_VTLGBTQ_BriceLuther1

I'd heard many rumors about you at Tech, all colorful, but I do not recall hearing that you were gay. If I had heard, it left no impression on me whatever. In some way it was listening to this interview that firmed my resolve to contact you. 

And to thank you for being exactly who you are. 

-- Cronin 'Con' Vining