He had a name but most of us knew him as Pop.
MT as he was also known led us wet-behind-the-ears rookie green technicians through our day to day efforts in upholding the computer network of the college and its users. We were the first and sometimes second and third line of assistance for some people.
His dress code was a blue hoodie with a Notre Dame baseball cap. He was a myopic damn near blind grizzled coot who had glasses so thick he could look at a map and see people waving. But he didn't miss a beat, he was rock solid in build and razor sharp in wit. Give the guy a book on any subject and in a day or two, he was an expert. And he would gladly tell you that he was.
He valued loyalty, the good kind not the blind obedience but the kind of loyalty that was only one-upped by doing the right thing. Pop was gruff, he had seen some things and wanted us to learn their lessons with their pain. This is the deep way of saying it because Pop didn't use a whole lot of emotional discussion with us. He's lucky I'm a writer.
He taught us about the gray areas of life. There was a lot of politics at our job and we were knuckle-heads just trying to pass classes, get paid, maybe maybe have fun and even get a date here and there.
Pop taught us a lot. His lessons still run deep.
Pop on women
"Stop being a punk #@# and ask the girl out."
"Stop sniffing like a dog and ask the girl out."
"You're lucky I'm married or you wouldn't have a chance of asking the girl out."
Pop on the Internet
"Alright guys, we have to learn about web browsers and the web so we can support it on campus."
* collective groan *
"Okay"
Next day, Pop walks in with bikini model print-outs.
* collective drool * "Pop, where did you get these from?"
"The Internet."
We learned that thing in a day.
Pop on learning
"Find the hook and people will come to you asking to learn."
And last but not least, Pop on the job
"Always take care of your team."
"Don't ever screw me over."
"I got your back."
"Don't be a suck up."
He would boast about hard living at times and never missed the chance to remind us young pups that he could keep up in just about every aspect of life. Some of it was complete insanity and Pop was off his rocker. But some of it was true and he was still a baaaad man and a big dog.
And all of it made him Pop.