Carnegie Mellon University - Thistle Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

Page 13 text:

In Memoriam WITH love and reverence we dedicate this book to the memory of Dr. John Brashear; with pride we recall his place in our history, his part in our growth. As a member of the original Committee on Plan and Scope, and later after the actual foundation of the schools, as a Trustee and a Member of the Standing Committee on Technical Schools. Dr. Brashear was untiring in his efforts in our behalf. From this close association with our beginnings grew a strong personal interest in our progress and an unwavering faith in the possibilities of our future. It is our privilege to have counted among our friends a scientist who received the praise of the world, a man who received its love. The familiar story of his life, of the courageous endeavor in the face of seemingly insurmountable difficulties that brought him from the workbench of the patternmaker to the laboratory of the scientist, is the more significant because it is the story of a man who worked for us, who believed in us, who hoped for big things from us. One day Dr. Brashear was asked to what he attributed his success, l ie replied, I am not sure, perhaps it is that whenever I had a thing to do, I tried to do that thing not as well as it had been done, but a little better than it ever had been done before. But Dr. Brashear was more than a scientist straining every effort for the attainment of perfection. When asked at a university bestowing upon him an honorary degree if there were any particular degree he would prefer, he answered, I wish you might make me a Doctor of Humanity. He was that without any university's degree. He was a friend to everyone, recognizing no distinctions of class or position. The sweetness, the simplicity, the unfailing kindliness of his spirit made him not only honored but loved. Such memories but grow more potent with the passing of the years. Ours is a remembrance of beauty and of inspiration. There is no place for regret for one who ”— loved the stars too fondly, To be fearful of the night.