I had always wondered what happened to my HS photography teacher after he retired from teaching.
I took every single course he taught in HS, and then became his TA and Lab Assistant until I graduated. He was about art and about the technical side of photography. He always entered my work somewhere and opened my eyes to a world of photography I knew nothing about. I’d see my photos around town, and get calls from friends’ parents letting me know they saw my work up somewhere in the city. I would just turn in my work (homeworks) and then I’d get it back a month or two later…with a blue or red ribbon from a fair or some county art event. Because of Mr Purucker, I received scholarships in photography and published in 1988’s, “Best in Photography.
He would tell stories about what it was like being a cartoon painter for Disney back in the 40s. He hand-painted cells. Each cell had to be hand painted. He was so sick of painting Donald Duck, he was happy to move on. LOL.
I’m sorry that I lost touch with him, but I will always hold my memories of him dearly.
