Recalling Surber *48

Re the death of William H. Surber Jr. *48 (On the Campus, Oct. 22): I had the honor of being in a class taught by “Super Sonic Surber” in my junior year. He earned his nickname by writing on the chalkboard with both hands while rapidly verbalizing electrical-engineering concepts. One day in my class he was challenged to a three-digit by three-digit division contest with a four-function calculator (which cost hundreds in the early ’70s), and won. Once a fellow student had the great courage to raise his hand and ask Professor Surber to slow down so he could better absorb the material (we all had the same desire). When I am teaching, I often quote Surber’s response: “Don’t worry, you will catch it the third time around.”