I have been a member of several law faculties and observed quite a few others. But I’ve never seen the likes of David Becker. He not only loves law teaching, but he relates to students – countless students – personally and professionally to an incomparable extent. He cares about their lives, their careers, themselves. It almost seems as natural as breathing for him. Even so, such active interest takes unstinting time and effort.
I’m not an advocate of human cloning. But if it were possible, I’d say clone David. But I’ll settle for the wonderful impact he’s has on our law school and our students over so many decades.
To my mind, one measure of immortality is the effect one has on others. David is a champion entry in the immortality sweepstakes as his influence lives on in who knows how many of our students – way beyond twenty-one years and two lives in being.
It’s been a pleasure to be his colleague.
My one regret is my inability to be with him and you today.
Merton C. Bernstein, Coles Professor of Law Emeritus, Washington University School of Law