On the passing of Al George

[zachrobo1]

Many people in robotics throughout Georgia and beyond have had the chance to meet and work with Al George, co-founder of FIRST Team 1002 and BEST Team 93. Today we were informed of tragic news about this great man. After a successful heart surgery a few days ago, Mr. George passed away early this morning of surgery complications.

Mr. George was an Vietnam veteran and electronics teacher at Wheeler High School. He started the CircuitRunners FRC and BEST teams back in 2002. He was a great supporter his students both inside and outside of the classroom, and is the reason I and countless other students are involved in FIRST. Mr. George retired last year after teaching for 30 years. He was dedicated to the team and all his students, and his charisma and passion be missed by all greatly.

Please keep Mr. George and the CircuitRunners family in your prayers. He changed many, many lives, and I want him to know how much we appreciate his efforts and dedication to FIRST.

[Ginger Bread]

My sincerest condolences to your team, members, and community.

[Anupam Goli]

Roy Al George was like a father to me. He introduced me to the world of electronics, robotics, and engineering. When I was in High School, he would not just let me work on robotics in his class, he taught me many things about engineering and life in general. He was always a very tough person with a great heart. He looked out for those he loved. It feels like yesterday that I was walking into his classroom for the first time and he introduced me to the robotics team and what they do. He inspired me to pursue engineering and always pushed me to excel as a student and a mentor in FIRST. He will be sorely missed by the school, community, and all those he inspired.

[GeeTwo]

(With thanks and apologies to Ms Rowling) Al will never be truly gone from FIRST, as long as there remain those who have learned from him, or those who have learned from those who learned from him (ad infinitum).

[ghostmachine360]

Mr. George was my second father.

He drove me to be excellent, even before I joined the CircuitRunners in 2007. He helped me to prove others wrong when they said my race would determine my place in the STEM world. He helped me embrace my love for engineering through teaching me electronics and giving me boundless opportunities to learn and explore.

He was with me through the challenging times, through the rebuilding of the team. And he was with me through the victories; he was the first person I hugged for the first & second Peachtree Engineering Inspiration Awards in 2009 and 2010, and the first person I hugged when I became a Dean's List finalist & Championship Recipient in 2010. He inspired me to become a mentor and adviser to other FIRST programs and STEM initiatives in my college years.

But more than FIRST, he was one of the reasons I became who I am today. He helped me when I went through depression and a suicide attempt after not getting into my dream college. He taught me respect and honor for my fellow man. He showed me that a Chairman's Award meant nothing if it was just to win. He yelled at me when I was being petulant after a loss. He helped me become a big brother to others, who are still brothers of mine to this day. He pushed me to be an agent of change in my community by becoming one of the youngest and few black members of the GeorgiaFIRST Robotics Advisory Council and Regional Planning Committee.

But more than that: he was a friend, commander, and someone who I'm going to miss. My only grief comes from the reality that the future CircuitRunners that walk the halls of Wheeler won't get to know the brilliance of the man called Roy Al George.

Thanks for everything, Mr. George.

[adammiller3122]

My most sincere condolences

[Wayne Doenges]

FRC Team 1501 T.H.R.U.S.T. sends its condolences to George's family, friends and team.
It sounds like he changed allot of lives through his teaching and mentoring.
You will be missed.
Rest in Peace.