In addition to Her devotion to her family, Rhoda was a super elementary school teacher, a joyous athlete and an unrepentant adventurer. She was an energetic, strong-willed and pragmatic individual who didn't stop to broadcast her glories. Rhoda returned to school for her teaching credential in mid life, driven by her idealism and her love of children. I realize now that it was this quality of tenderness and affection toward all beings which came through every phase of her life. Whether making friends with strangers in the wilderness, laughing with her family or helping a shy student open up, Rhoda exuded a warmth, worldliness and a smiling benevolent spirit.
Some people choose teaching as a profession.
Rhoda taught because that's who she was. And, as is true with the best teachers, her ultimate lesson lay in her example, Even within the crusty confines of public school, Rhoda eagerly shared her own sense of wonder and adventure in the natural world. I picture Mom, happier than ever on all those exotic summer camping excursions out west. We were all such hopeless vagabonds, but in many ways, Ro was the ringleader Botkin . Camping in a tent gave way to hiking in the wilderness, then backpacking, then cross country skiing, then whitewater canoeing.