Professor emeritus William O. "Doc" Farber was remembered as a 'life trainer' with an 'unshakeable sense of optimism' at his funeral March 31 at the United Church of Christ in Vermillion. Pastor Steve Miller presided at the service.
Hundreds of people of all ages filled the pews, clothed in dark suits. Though the dress was somber, the congregation seemed to have caught the contagious enthusiasm of Farber's spirit.
Hardly a tear was in sight as friends and relatives passed in front of the open casket, some stopping to gaze at Farber or pat his hand one last time. An American flag, Farber's book, "Footprints on the Prairie" and the South Dakota constitution lay near him, illustrating the effects of his life.
Don Dahlin, a political science professor, spoke at the funeral and said the service should be a celebration of Farber's life.
"Doc would not have wanted us to be too sad, if he would have wanted sadness at all," he said.
Speakers recounted tales about Farber's life as an eternal optimist, whose life lessons are remembered by all who knew him.
Dahlin said Farber taught him four great lessons during the 40 years he knew him.
"(Farber taught me to) be an unfailing optimist ... Challenge but don't intimidate ... embrace the chance to be a mentor ... and consider your work to be a calling, not just a job," Dahlin said.
Miller spoke of Abraham and compared the meaning of the Biblical character to Farber.
"The translation of Abraham's name is literally 'the father of many who fly,'" Miller said. "I think you know where I'm going with this."
Farber was known for his vested interest in his students. He notably fostered a group of students including Al Neuharth, Pat O'Brien and Tom Brokaw, known fondly as "The Farber Boys."
Many of the "Farber Boys" attended the service, including Brokaw, O'Brien, personal representative Dick Brown and Mike Koehler.
Although Koehler was an infant when Farber retired, speaking at Farber's funeral is fitting, he said.
"Doc never retired and his teaching was never confined to the walls of a classroom," he said. "I was 18 when I met Doc, and he was 83. Friendship knows no age limits."
The service was concluded with a rousing chorus of "Hail South Dakota," USD's official school song, something Brown thought Farber would have liked.
A reception was held in the Al Neuharth Media Center after the funeral. Farber's memory was toasted by many of his friends and family with the famous 'Doc's daiquiris.'
The reception was held in "the finest Farber's fashion',"Brown said. Three large ice sculptures put the finishing touches of a large array of hor'dourves and desserts.
A tour of Farber's favorite spots, including campus, Spirit Mound and the Missouri River, was held early Sunday morning. The hearse then drove to Farber's hometown of Geneseo, Ill., for a private funeral service.
Though Farber no longer has a physical presence on campus, his impact is long-lasting.
"People had a life trainer in Doc," Dahlin said. "His book "Footprints on the Prairie" was mistitled. Footprints fade and the prairie is limited. It should have been 'Footpaths to the World.'"
Reach reporter Michelle Rydell at Michelle.Rydell@usd.edu.
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