I'm sorry I am late in finding your blog in tribute to Mr. Coate, and moreso to learn of his passing. It is gratifying to see how many others across the years continued to hold him in as deservedly high regard as did I and so many of my contemporaries.The attached image, taken from the dedication page of the 1974 Ironman yearbook, is classic Ralph Coate: Top shirt button buttoned for photos, hands clasped, and a serious facial expression. I like this one because I prefer to think I see a hint-- recognizable only by those who had the honor of getting to know the man-- of him being about a millisecond away from breaking into that famous smirk just before he cracked wise.
--
Doug DeCota, MHS 1974, Senior Science Award
UNO 1980, New Orleans, LA
(This is the last page. Looking for the first page? Click here.)
