In Memory

EHS Faculty: Melvin Cottam Fish

Melvin Cottam Fish passed away peacefully January 26, 2019, surrounded by his family after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his wife, Gwena of more than 60 years, 10 children, 51 grandchildren and 37 great grandchildren. He is a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and dear friend. He was greatly loved as a math teacher at East High in Salt Lake City, Utah.


He was born June 18, 1933, in Pioche, Nevada and raised in Toquerville, Utah. He served his country in the Army stationed in Germany during the Korean War. Then he served for 3 years as the first missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Taiwan.


Mr. Fish enjoyed learning new things his whole life. He earned his Bachelor degree at BYU, Master's degree at LSU,and his Doctorate at George Wythe University.


We will miss his faith promoting stories, fun sense of humor, his laugh and most of all how kind he was to everyone. He will be missed but never forgotten!

 

©Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Jan 2019.  All rights reserved.



 
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01/28/19 05:26 PM #1    

Rick Douglas

Almost half a century ago Mr. (Dr.) Fish saved me from drowning — in algebra.  We’re talking “F”, as in “flunking his course” and possibly losing out on the engineering college and aviation future of my dreams.

 

In a private sit-down WE agreed I would go back to 'Day One' and re-accomplish EVERY sample and end-of-chapter problem in his course book in addition to all previously-assigned homework.  He then volunteered his free time to correct my exhaustive work, accepting no errors.

 

Suddenly, it started to all make sense!  When I reached the point where he’d given the class a comprehensive mid-term exam just a few weeks earlier — one which I got little more than a few points for signing my name on — he administered me a grueling backup exam.  Thanks to his weeks of assistance and "cracking the whip", I finished the exam above the 95th percentile!  The semester’s few remaining weeks raced almost effortlessly by with me now totally understanding Mr. Fish’s lessons, sometimes even working a few chapters ahead.

 

He told me I earned that solid “A” on my report card.  I told him, no, WE did.

 

Now THAT's a teacher!  Thanks, Mr. Fish.


01/29/19 10:18 PM #2    

Julie Tornquist (Jacobsen)

I wish I would have had him!  The math teachers I had were so boring and I didn’t grasp it at all. So I thought I was a dummy in math until my son tutored me when I went back to college. I wasn’t a dumb bell after all. I just needed a hands on way to learn. 


01/31/19 11:58 AM #3    

Helen Barton (Peterson)

What a great tribute to a caring, giving teacher, Rick. It truly was teamwork between you and Dr. Fish that accomplished your goals.

Kudos to you, for going to him and pleading your case, firstly and then, chops to him, for caring enough to take the time, to teach you, personally. I didn't know that you pursued an engineering degree as well as aviation. That's awesome.

I took Geometry from Mrs. Mackay and was getting a D, so I also approached her for help and was able to talk her into, helping me. Even though she was not as outgoing as Dr. Fish, was, she helped raise my grade to a B, which made my day. I've read about other students who also really appreciated Dr. Fish and the help that he gave them. I'm so glad that you had such a worthy mentor.

I guess Dr. Fish was also a psychological counselor in his later years and often didn't charge for his efforts. If people want to donate to his widow personally, instead of sending flowers, his daughter posted a gofundme site. https://www.gofundme.com/memorial-fund-melvin-c-fish?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fb_dn_cpgntopnavlarge_r&fbclid=IwAR16aLbW92J0-OqaOEBjJcM194soGFlOG_0NRJORZn0bxDkTjluXhPCVSE0


08/09/19 05:13 AM #4    

Tom Smokoff

Loved Mr Fish, what a wonderfully caring caring teacher he was, as is evident by Rick's beautifully written memoirs.


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