Anthropology Prof To Dig Retirement
‘It’s a helluva big mistake to become a teacher,” says Duke Snyder, as if he’s sharing a fact with one of his classes. “You should be what you set out to be, and teach as a secondary activity.”
Take a deep breath, teachers. Duke is one of you, at least until he retires as North Idaho College’s anthropology instructor next month. Burned out? Yep.
“One of the drags of being a teacher is that we just keep starting over twice a year. It’s a thankless job,” Duke says, crossing his beefy arms over his chest.
He didn’t plan on teaching. Duke entered college as a 30-something father not content with painting houses for life. But he didn’t know what he wanted to do.
His wife urged him to take any class. Anthropology was the first desk inside the door at registration. He was hooked from the start.
At UCLA, Duke met top scientists in his field, including Louis Leakey. Inspired, Duke took his family to France for four months in 1968 on an archeological expedition.
He came back penniless. A natural inclination toward teaching netted him a steady job in California. In 1972, he landed at NIC, with no intention of staying.
But, his family took root in Coeur d’Alene. When teaching Introduction to Social and Cultural Anthropology became repetitious after a few semesters, Duke relied on acting techniques to freshen his approach.
After 20 semesters, he stayed sane by studying lake monsters and interviewing people who had sighted Bigfoot. Excited students began a “cryptozoology” club. Duke was adviser.
As students left, the club died and so did Duke’s enthusiasm. He stayed at NIC only to keep his retirement benefits.
Duke won’t say what he should have done rather than teach. His rumbling belly laugh, flair for storytelling and passion for his subject have entertained plenty of students, probably inspired many.
“I will miss it,” he admits. “I just can’t stand doing it any longer.”
Say good-bye to Duke at 2 p.m., May 12, in NIC’s Kootenai Room. The more people, the better.
No place better
Kathleen Wendell pines for the Coeur d’Alene of 28 years ago, when she and her family arrived from Montana. “Nobody chased the kids off the docks. In fact, most often an adult fellow fisherman would meander over and chat,” she writes.
Boat traffic on Lake Coeur d’Alene was low and boaters respectfully gave each other wide berth. “We could never have found a sweeter spot on earth for our children,” writes Kathleen. Remember those days?
Small packages
Harold, Rosella and Debbie Miller find the finer service in life at Coeur d’Alene’s smaller businesses. They’re loyal to The Long Ear, The Print Store, Video Theater, Lillian Wilkins Interiors, Gwen’s Gifts and The Book and Game Company.
Even the younger employees at these places don’t give the Millers “that look” when they want something out of vogue, they write. Now I know where to shop…
Happy Anniversary
Camp Lutherhaven on Lake Coeur d’Alene just broke ground on a new center with offices, meeting rooms and a health center. Sounds pretty high-falutin’ for camp.
Did you know Lutherhaven began 50 years ago as a Christian getaway for soldiers returning from World War II? Now it’s a favorite spring and summer site for all sorts of groups. The slide on the dock is the best.
Camping season is just about here. What’s the funniest camping experience you’ve had in the North Idaho woods or by one of the lakes? Send stories to Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 83814; FAX them to 765-7149; or call 765-7128.