• •

Students have always

come first for teacher

Robert Lichtman, wht

retires after 50

year

in the classroom.

positive approacrfortas
sustained Bob Lichtman and
tudents over• 50 years.

ot

Alan Hitsky
Associate Editor

T

imes sure have changed.
When Robert Lichtman began teaching social studies at Detroifs Nolan Junior High
School in 1958, he daily wore a three-piece suit, carried a briefcase and taught from behind
a podium. Now, as he completes 45 years of teaching at Oak Park High School, he's cut back to just a
sport coat without necktie.
Throughout his five decades in the classroom, Lichtman of Farmington Hills has maintained a
positive outlook. His curriculum is important, but it pales in comparison to where he places his
students.
His devotion is being remembered this month as Lichtman retires. His colleagues at Oak Park High
held a surprise reception in his honor this week in the high school library. The principal has asked
him to speak at graduation exercises tomorrow in Detroit's Cobo Center. Close friends from his long
career are hosting a party later this month and a family trip has been scheduled to the Mayan Riviera
in Mexico.
Yes, times have changed, but Lichtman hasn't. For him, his students come first. Take "blasting;'
for instance.
According to close friend and former Oak Park colleague Chuck Domstein, Lichtman starts every
s b allowing the students to confidentially "blast" anything or anyone, including the teacher. "But

June 5 • 2008

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