As many gathered around the beloved man and former EvCC Clipper advisor Eldon Coroch's casket last Friday to say goodbye, stories proved that though he may be gone, the memories he left behind will live on forever.

"He was a real laidback, jolly guy. I always saw him in a Hawaiian shirt. Never once did I see him in a suit or tie. Even when we were accepting awards, he still wore that Hawaiian shirt. When we first started working together, I thought he was my age. But he was seven years older! He had a sort of youthfulness about him," John Lindstrom, Eldon's former colleague said.

Eldon Coroch passed away peacefully on Sept. 21 at 77. Along with Eldon's youthfulness came passion. Those who worked with and around him remember him for his passion not only for journalism, but life itself.

"He was always steady. He never diminished. He was very passionate. He made his students feel close to him," Lloyd Weller, an EvCC photography instructor said. "He stood out. When his students had questions, he made himself very available, especially with the Clipper. It was always beautifully done. He worked hard to keep it looking as professional as possible; he never wavered."

Before retiring around 12 years ago after 31 years, Eldon worked alongside his co-advisor Lindstrom. They worked hard to prepare their students. So well, in fact, that they won many awards in college level journalism competitions, usually ranking in first or second place.

"It was the team work [that made the Clipper great]. We were very different people. He was more laidback. I did the layout, the photos and the design. The combination had more meat.having those made the Clipper stand out," Lindstrom said.

"We were like a little boy scout pack. We didn't have computers. It was a noisy place and nobody really pulled too much rank. After leaving, students have told us [John and Eldon] that they had to sit around for a year at the university because everyone had to catch up with them," Lindstrom said.

Not only were Eldon's students taught well, him and Lindstrom taught them to be fearless.

"The Clipper got in trouble because of controversy with the president back in the 80s," Lindstrom

said. "We got a tip that he [college president] was looking at a new job, so we printed it. He called it an unsubstantiated rumor, but we were confident in our source. We weren't afraid of controversy. We were aware that the shit could hit the fan and it did, but we printed truth. Because there were two of us, we were able to lean on each other."

Regardless of Eldon's passion for journalism, he had many others. After retiring, he began playing the keyboard. His wife played the piano, and so he decided upon an instrument as well. He played for a crowd whenever he could, especially in hospices.

Reporter Tina Potterf from the Seattle Times explained Eldon's love for music as this: "Coroch is one of a breed of artists of a certain age who are keeping busy or living out musical aspirations through performing at community events, senior centers and retirement homes. Ask why they do it, and most cite a lifelong interest in music and a desire to share their talents. For others, it's a chance to make good on unfulfilled dreams of a professional career in music."

Besides music, Eldon also had an interest in the paranormal."He was very interested in the paranormal, ESP, new occult type stuff. He taught a few classes on it," Lindstrom said.

"He donated extraordinary talents," Weller said.