The Fantastic Mr. Fox

Former student Lorene Sandifur offers proof of teacher's impact on lives

By Lorene Sandifur

for the Kokomo Lantern

There are no adequate words to describe the impact Bill Fox had on so many lives, but having known Mr. Fox's passion for geometric proof, I concluded I could best honor his legacy and capture his impactful life when words don't suffice via a geometric proof. As his former geometry student, I am going to utilize the structure of a proof to prove beyond a shadow of doubt that the impact Mr. Fox had on so many lives did indeed approach infinity.

In a proof there is a given statement, what is to be proven, followed by a body of evidence made up of statements and reasons. The goal is to logically prove the given statement to be true. The proof is typically written in a nicely organized t-chart. My t-chart of the heart is filled with memories of the man who was so dearly loved by a community of Kokomo Wild(c)kats and beyond. I hope to not induce any math anxiety as I proceed!  

Given: William Fox was born on June 6, 1931 and was lovingly accepted into the arms of Jesus on April, 23, 2023.  

Prove: Mr. Fox’s impact on so many lives was limitless. The following quote best captures the fact that he will never be forgotten and will live on through each of us who were privileged enough to have crossed his path over the last 91 years.

"Never. We never lose our loved ones. They accompany us; they don't disappear from our lives. We are merely in different rooms."

I will start building the proof with what is closest to my heart: the impact that Mr. Fox had on my life. I am well aware that thousands of other students could share their own story of the profound impact Bill Fox had on their lives.

Little did I know when I walked into Mr. Fox’s geometry classroom as a KHS sophomore that he would remain a big part of my life; that he would be such a positive force in so many of my life decisions. Mr. Fox was the reason I fell in love with geometry and dedicated the majority of my career to teaching. I can still see and hear him in that old Central Building classroom passionately teaching his heart out!

Mr. Fox was the best of the best at KHS which is much to his credit, given that KHS had so many outstanding educators. Mr. Fox planted the seed for me to become a math teacher by asking me to tutor a good friend while she was out sick. He modeled what it meant to be a great teacher: the ability to explain geometry in a way that all could understand, knowledge of the subject matter, display of excitement and joy when teaching, a great sense of humor, and so many intangibles that were of the heart.

Mr. Fox loved and cared about each student, and his desire was to leave no student behind. In Mr. Fox’s eyes every student mattered regardless of their mathematical prowess. Mr. Fox saw potential in all his students. He knew what each brought to the mathematics table, and he was determined to serve each person a full course meal of math.

Students came out of his class with more confidence in their math abilities. He was the reason some were able to move on into upper level courses after having their potential tapped by the master.

Recently, a few friends kidded me about being Mr. Fox’s teacher’s pet. The thing with Mr. Fox is that he made all his “muttonheads” feel like we were the teacher’s pet. Kind of like when your grandmother tells you that you are her favorite, and then at her funeral you find out she told all your siblings and cousins the same thing!

When I started my “dream job” of teaching math at KHS, it was only made sweeter by the fact that Mr. Fox would be my Math Curriculum Supervisor. He became my mentor as an educator, and I modeled most of what I did based on the way he had taught me.

He left such big shoes to fill when I stepped into his role of curriculum supervisor upon his retirement, but he prepared me well for the challenge. I was honored to follow in his footsteps. We oftentimes talked with each other about my new role, and he gave me much insight, guidance, and encouragement along the way.

Bill always questioned if I was still requiring students to do proofs and constructions. Those were his favorite topics to teach in geometry, and he couldn’t imagine a geometry classroom without them.  I never quit teaching those topics even when the state standards lessened their prevalence in the curriculum.

When I taught honors geometry, I actually gave my students the same proof test Mr. Fox had given me when I was his student. I had saved it after all these years! I would have a “proofster” ceremony in honor of Mr. Fox, and students were awarded Summa, Magna, and Cum laude certificates based on their level of expertise! I also honored him on Pi Day by making it a big celebration and always included stories about the legendary Bill Fox.

I’ve had several former students, even those whom I taught at Ben Davis, say that they thought they knew Mr. Fox from all my stories even though they had never met him! Given his legendary status, his memory will live on even in those who were never graced by his presence.

Mr. Fox didn’t forget his students once they crossed the stage at graduation. He attended class reunions on a regular basis and was always the guest of honor. He attended the KHS Class of 72’s 50^th this past July and was shown so much love. He felt it, too.

He also attended the prayer service the following day with his wife, Margot. He spoke so beautifully of his love and dedication to Margot, knowing he was blessed to marry her after losing his first wife, “Gwenzie,” who he also dearly loved. Margot’s family joined his family to become a source of happiness and good times. Margot was such a caring, loving, and nurturing wife to Bill. He knew he was blessed to spend his later years with her by his side.

Bill and Margot’s joint 90^th birthday party offered more proof of the many lives they had touched. It was such a grand gathering of family, friends, students, and football and track athletes who just wanted to be there for such a grand celebration to let Bill know that he was indeed loved by the masses.

Bill grew to become a treasured friend through our years of teaching together up until his passing. We lived in the same neighborhood, so we would oftentimes see each other out and about. The phone calls on Pi Day when he wintered in Florida were always the highlight of our special day. He would once again become my teacher on that day as we geeked out on math.  When he no longer wintered in Florida, we shared Pi days together along with meeting up for lunches on random days, touring Indianapolis, sitting together at ball games, and sharing that which we both valued regarding family, loss, and faith.

Mr. Fox was the ultimate family man. He loved his boys, Dave and Mike, and was so proud of them as fathers, husbands, and all-around good men. His daughters in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were also a source of great pride. I was actually blessed to have his grandson, Joey, as a geometry student. Joey looked so much like his grandpa, as do both of Bill’s sons and several in the next generation.

If anyone was a loyal Wildkat to the core, along with knowing everything there is to know about Wildkat history, it was Bill Fox. I will forever cherish the memory of sitting with Mr. Fox at several basketball games over the past few years! Bill was still able to attend a few this year thanks to his sons making sure that their dad could cheer on the Wildkats.

I so appreciate that Ron Barsh always carved out a spot in section 2 so Mr. Fox and I could sit together. When in the presence of the likes of Bill Fox, the Barshes, Kitchells, and Craig Severns, to name a few, you know you are sitting with a great group of Wildkat fans who all bled red and blue! Bill’s name and memory will frequently surface while cheering on the Wildkats in years to come.

To wrap up our body of proof, I’d like to share a few of the hundreds of quotes which Mr. Fox admirers have left on Facebook or texted to me about Bill. Some of them are from his students who struggled with math but found hope in his classroom. Others are from the gifted mathletes who valued learning from the master. Some are from his football players or track athletes, such as Gary Sandifur, who had the utmost respect for Bill as his high football coach.

John Loop: "A couple of friends who played football at Kokomo High had some good memories of Bill being an assistant football coach for the legendary Bob Hamilton. As some of you may recall, Coach Hamilton was an intense competitor and could have quite a temper sometimes, and my friends remember how Bill would function as sort of a "Bob Hamilton Whisperer" --- who knew just what to say to help keep Coach Hamilton's anger and intense emotions in check. They said that Bill's quiet but steady hand was guiding the team along in ways that weren't obvious or gaudy but effective nevertheless!"

Ron Owens: I fully support John's words of Bill's "quiet but steady hand". He was subtle but set high expectations we all tried to live up to. Whether it was Calculus, or a state math contest or church league basketball, we measured ourselves against his expectations. He helped us to understand we could, and should, reach higher. And I am sure we are the better for it.

Rob Moss: Mr. Fox’s true talent was the ability to make your time learning Geometry FUN! That’s a rare ability. Loved his class. Only math class I can say that about.  I can only imagine how much history is changed for the better because of him. It’s truly an exponential number that not even he could solve. His humbleness wouldn’t allow it! He deserves a street named after him or the math hallways dedicated to him or something grand in gesture. He is absolutely more than deserving of it.

Don Landrum: It was an honor to be called "muttonhead" by Bill Fox on the football practice field. Bill was also a stern task master. He wasn't driven to profanity and didn't allow us to use it. He did let you know in his own terms when you missed blocks/assignments, displayed poor sportsmanship or lost to the Marion Giants. He has a great pair of great sons too.

Jill Gosma Hersberger: Also, one of my favorite teachers. Always encouraged women to like math, back before it was acceptable for women to like math.

Bob Walters: The Fox was the GOAT ... From the UCT "Cokes" through Geometry and on through the years he’s been a special blessing to each other, family, and - literally - thousands of others.

Rick A. Parsons: A true gentleman and scholar! A true KHS legend!

John Glentzer: Truly one of the GOATs. I was privileged enough to have him for classes. Definitely made a lasting impression that will last a lifetime. He was one of my biggest inspirations to become a teacher.

Katherine Osborn Williams: Just saw Bill Fox at my dad’s visitation. So great of him to come. Brought back so many fond memories. Among those telling unfortunate students not paying attention to stop Mickey Mousing around.

Cynthia Lacey Gault: He looks the same, just a bit of gray (wisdom). I’ll add to that, even as we all aged, Mr. Fox never did. It just wasn’t fair. I was sad I didn’t get to have him as a teacher at KHS, but always admired him from afar.

Lynne Bolinger: How many students say he was/is the best math teacher ever? Too many to count. A gifted artist in his craft and art of teaching! : Best... ask the generations.

Kevin Comer: One of the best persons I have ever met! He has been part of my life as a teacher, mentor, coach, and friend since I was in high school. Although I do not see him often, he is one of a kind and I am blessed to know him! A wonderful human. I am old enough to have played pickup basketball with him and other teachers on Memorial Gym's auxiliary floor in high school. My oldest son had him for class his last year of teaching. I am honored to know him!

Dirk Hankins: Foxy...embodies what KHS was all about. He impacted so many lives.

Ginger Brankle: Legendary for sure! My geometry savior! 

Beth Pullen-Webb: I “LOVED” Geometry so much that I was lucky enough to take it twice (the second time being in summer school) with Mr. Fox!!! Sorry to report I’m still making fruit salad!  

Katie Smith Ben Davis: I feel like I know him after hearing all of your accolades about him throughout the years!

Vicki Morehead Geheb: He is the best, so kind and thoughtful.

Carol Chen: a "Blue Ribbon" individual who brings out the best in all of us. We are the fortunate ones.

Mary Claytor Hinkle: When he was helping me help a kid in geometry----the kid missed the question about skew lines. I went to Mr. Fox for clarification and he said: I guess your student got 'skewed' on that question. We both laughed so hard! 

Kent Weaver: Math wasn’t my strength, but he made it fun. Probably why I earned my highest math grade in his geometry class. I’m very proud of that B, and I know he didn’t simply give it to me. He made sure that I earned it! When he's around town, I see him at the YMCA several times a week. He's still "on top of it!"

Taffy Gregory Clevenger: Have loved Mr. Fox for many years- since the old Elliott Ct. days.

Tom Hobbs: He stood tall among my high school teachers. He really was one of my favorites from the KHS years.

Gary Guest: The most important theorem in math is Euler’s pioneering theorem. As a teacher, mentor, friend, all around good guy, Mr. Fox was the human form of Euler’s theorem of the perfect equation.

Universal Quote: Mr. Fox believed in me, so I believed in myself.

The evidence of proof as to the impact Bill had on all our lives could fill an infinite series of math textbooks. His legacy does indeed matter. As a former track coach, Mr. Fox has handed off the baton to each of us. Be we leading off, anchoring or somewhere in between, we can best honor him by simply being kind and making each person that we come in contact with feel as though they are indeed the teacher’s pet, because they are.

He so richly modeled what it means to finish the race strong and would challenge each of us to do the same. The fact that so many are saddened by his passing and will miss him beyond words is the ultimate proof that his 91 years here on earth were well-lived.

At the conclusion of a proof, after the evidence has logically demonstrated that what was to be proven is indeed true, it is restated. Mr. Fox was old school and always insisted his students use three little dots in the shape of a triangle, which meant “therefore.” Those dots were his grand finale or drum roll to end a proof. He so much valued those dots that he shared with me he requested they be put on his gravestone!

So, Mr. Fox, your proof is complete with all of us as your evidence. We’re your statements. We’re your reasons.  We will continue to passionately write our own proofs so that your goodness can shine through each of us; to pass on the lessons you so beautifully taught and more importantly lived out.

Teacher,

your impact has no limits. "Never. We will never lose you as our loved one. You will accompany us; you won't disappear from our lives. We are merely in different rooms until we meet again.