Last Saturday, a close friend of mine passed away. His name was Fred Wood, and he was the pastor of my church when I was growing up. Fred was one of those amazing role models. He marched in the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. He was a world traveler with all kinds of stories of adventure. He had fought cancer earlier in his life and come through with a different perspective on the world. Sermons on Sunday were highly intellectual and deep. As an engaging public speaker, he had the ability to make you think critically about life and the reasons we are here. He challenged your thinking about the world. He was advocate for social justice and used his ministry to make the world better.

He took me on a trip to the Navajo Nation in my sophomore year and opened my eyes to the poverty that exists in the world. (I returned for the next three years and eventually worked as an intern teacher at a small elementary school in the Navajo Nation during the summer of my sophomore year in college.) He also had a fantastic sense of humor.

But, what I remember most about Fred is that he really cared about me. He made sure that every high school student in the church had his phone number if they ever needed someone to speak to. He modeled ethical behavior, but was never judgmental. He was a person you could trust.

During my senior year, Fred invited me to serve on the board of the church. (In the Presbyterian tradition, it is called the session.) As a 17 year-old, I worked with adults to manage budgets and think about personnel issues. It was an extraordinary opportunity that gave me taste of real leadership. Fred never treated me like a kid at any time in our relationship. He was always practical in his advice. He married Thomassen and me on Thomassen's family farm in Kentucky. Before the service, he said to us, "I have only one piece of advice: buy one good piece of furniture every year." Of course, he gave me a lot more than that advice. He lived a life that was positive and impactful. He stood up for what was right, but was always humble. He found joy in the little things and every person he met. He lived a life of service.

I will miss Fred. I will never forget him. My hope for young people is that each one has a mentor like Fred Wood. I was fortunate to have someone like him in my life.

If you are parent reading this, do your part to help someone in the younger generation find his or her way. If you are student, be open to getting to know and learn from someone who is your senior. What you can learn from a mentor is as valuable as any degree.