A year ago Christine’s father, Bruce Lansdale, died in our house. He was the best boss I had in my working life and my greatest teacher. He is my role model for a life well lived. During his 35 years, from 1955 to 1990, as director of the American Farm School he touched countless numbers of lives in a very deep and meaningful way. When he retired the School was the flagship of American philanthropy abroad. Over the Farm School’s 100 years graduates have changed the face of Greek agriculture. Bruce was decorated by the Greek state for his work. The eulogies at his funeral and memorial services in America and in Greece, from the humblest and uneducated to those holding high positions, spoke of his remarkable accomplishments, character, thoughtfulness and generosity at times of greatest need.
We held a memorial service in our house where Father Niko, the priest from the village of Lakkia, read prayers and said a few words. Everyone had brought food and the wine flowed freely. Eleni Dimopoulou and our son, Bruce, read a selection from Metamorphosis: Why Do I Love Greece, written in the United States while Bruce was on a six-month sabbatical called for by the trustees during the early years of the junta (1967-1974). We also watched a video of vignettes from his life and skyped with family in California, Ecuador and Honduras.
Everyone was so appreciative of the opportunity to meet together again and for a few brief hours to relive the good old days – days when staff earned a pittance but had community. And in those days community was what raised the school to its height. Days when everyone worked for a higher purpose; days when greed and selfishness were not tolerated.
To learn more about the American Farm School go to www.afs.edu.gr
To learn more about Bruce Lansdale go to Facebook and enter Bruce Lansdale.