Memories of Mike: images of a teacher and coach

By Rhonda Westfall

Victory at Sea, championships won on the links, fun in the classroom - those are among the visual images former students and co-workers carry of Myron 'Mike' Humphrey, a teacher and colleague who touched many lives during a lengthy career with St. Johns Public Schools. Mike passed away Oct. 15. His career as a teacher and coach spanned 30 years, much of that time spent in classrooms at the 'old' Central School and RBW Wilson Middle School.

"Mike made the games fun for his teams, and was the same in his phys ed classes," Dale Knight, a former teacher and athletic director at RBW Middle School, said of his colleague's approach to education - that also included a will to win.

"He must hold the record (in St. Johns) for wins in seventh- and eighth-grade basketball. He had some outstanding teams, and used a fullcourt press that was just devastating - he loved to win."

Mike's former students recollect a unique teaching style, and also credit his experience aboard the USS Franklin during World War II with helping the history classes he taught come alive.

"I remember when the episode with the Franklin was shown on television," recalls Jean (Robinson) Martin. "We watched the whole episode, and he was in the final scene - he was bobbing around in the water. It made the war seem real knowing that it happened to Mike, and his photo had been in all of the newspapers."

He was just 17 – a new graduate of Alma High School - when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. His service aboard the USS Franklin that included a massive attack by the Japanese earned Mike a Purple Heart medal.

Following his return to the States, Mike graduated from Alma College and he and a new bride, Wanda, lived in Maple Rapids before moving to St. Johns. Their youthful spirit is also remembered by Martin.

"He and Wanda could really dance," she said. "They used to chaperone the teen dances at the Municipal Building, and we all felt like there was no reason for us to be on the floor when they were dancing."

Lessons taught by Mr. Humphrey – not necessarily from a textbook - have remained with his students. Barry Bauer recalls an incident at the old Perrin Palmer school building where gym classes were held that involved a student who was less than enthusiastic about participating in a softball game. His approach in dealing with the student was not too subtle, but it was effective.

Several ‘Humpreyisms’ are still used by his students.

"Write it; read it; and rip it up – that was a tool that Mike Humphrey taught us to deal with situations or people who were upsetting," Martin said. "He had learned that if he would write a really nasty letter, stash it somewhere overnight, and read it in the morning, that usually sufficed.

"You have said what badly needed saying, you have had the opportunity to savor your victory - then you rip it up. There is no need to mail it and get yourself into hot water, and no one is harmed."

It’s impossible to say if Mike used the technique in coaching, but perhaps it did play a role in his success that included being Coach of the Year for Michigan and induction into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.

Mike is survived by his wife, Wanda; three children, Sue (Larry) Flowers of Elk Rapids, Randy (Melanie) Humphrey of Estes Park, Colo., and Todd Humphrey of Elk Rapids; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mavis Ardner, of Alma.