Dr. Clyde W. Bresee passed away on Saturday, July 16, 2011. He was 95. A lifelong resident of Bradford County, and of Athens since 1949, he was a professional educator, licensed psychologist, author and advocate for education and social justice. He was also a musician of unusual talent and expressiveness. In all phases of his life, whether as a musician, author, educator or counselor, his concern for people and their condition and circumstances was foremost. A man of strongly held views and beliefs, he was an activist and advocate for people in need throughout his life. Clyde Bresee was born on the family farm on Ghent Hill in 1916, the son of Chester and Ruth Bresee. When he was five years old, his parents relocated to James Island, South Carolina, where his father managed a large Charleston dairy operation. Plans to buy the James Island dairy operation fell through as a result of the great depression and the family moved back to Ulster township in 1931 when he was 15. He graduated from Ulster High School and began his higher education at Mansfield, graduating in 1937 and earning a Master's degree in biology from Penn State in 1942. His first job was at Ulster High School, where he taught English and mathematics until 1943. He married Elizabeth Barner, also a teacher, in June of 1941. They were married for 69 years until her death in January of this year. He is survived by his daughter Catherine Shannon and her husband Robert, son Jerome Bresee and his wife Cheryl, brother Bruce Bresee and sister Jeannette Post. In 1943, Clyde Bresee was drafted into the Army and volunteered for the Medical Corps. He trained as a combat medic with the 10th Mountain Division – the "ski troops"– at Camp Hale, Colorado before being selected for Officer Candidate School at Carlisle Barracks, PA. World War II ended while he was still in "OCS," and he served out his commitment as a hospital administrator in Hawaii. While in the Army, he wrote to his wife Elizabeth every day. An edited collection of these letters is held by the Denver Public Library as part of their 10th Mountain Division collection. These letters provide a daily record of the training at Camp Hale, then some of the toughest military training in the world. After the war, he returned to teaching and joined the faculty at Athens High School. In 1953, he became a guidance counselor and began studies at Cornell University under the GI Bill. He was awarded a Ph. D. in counseling psychology in 1956 and later taught graduate classes at Cornell for 13 years. He originated the guidance program at Athens Area High School and directed it until his retirement. In these sequential roles as an educator and counselor, he touched and affected many lives. Following his retirement, he became a tireless volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, serving on the board of directors and later as president of the Valley affiliate chapter. He was one of the chief fundraisers for the local chapter and oversaw the building of several new homes for families in need of adequate housing. His second career as an author led to the publication of two books centered on the James Island area where he spent his childhood. "Sea Island Yankee" is a memoir of that place in those times, and received strongly positive reviews. The New York Times review declared, "Mr. Bresee is a writer of distinction from whom we must hear more." His second book, "How Grand a Flame," provided the historical background for the James Island plantation that his father operated. As a musician, Clyde was a Valley institution. Organist and choir director at the Athens United Methodist Church for over 30 years, he also organized, directed and accompanied the Athens High School boys' singing group "The Lancers." This group had their origin in the old Athens "Main Building" high school, and provided music for school and community functions for more than a decade, making several television appearances on local stations. He lost count of the number of weddings for which he provided the music. Most of all, he was a counselor and friend to those in trouble or in need. His help would manifest itself in ways both small and large. It might be a meal or an extra sweater for a student without adequate food or clothing, a letter of recommendation for a needed job or college admission, or personal involvement in the lives of people struggling to cope with serious problems. He loved people, and spent his life helping those in need. The final phrase of a letter of commendation presented to him upon retirement from the Habitat for Humanity board recognizes him for "...providing wise advice, counsel and personal assistance to so many whose names will be forever unknown to most of us." Funeral services will be held at the Athens United Methodist Church at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 20. Calling hours will be from 11:00 to 1:00 at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Athens United Methodist Church, Habitat for Humanity or the Southern Poverty Law Center.