A Tribute to Mike Babcock

By Mikala Rahn, PhD

I know Mike Babcock would not like the fanfare but I think it’s been a little too quiet in our town of Pasadena with the loss of a true hero and our community spirit. I know I am feeling it. I loved the man. I respected what he gave to the community. First off, Polytechnic is a historic legacy in our city. Mike Babcock gave his life to that institution from 1965-1998. He was a math teacher and then headmaster from 1980-1998. He was my husband’s principal and impacted so may students who went through Poly. I believe there is not a better private school in the state than Poly because of Mike.

After that legacy, he turned his attention to public school serving on the Pasadena School Board from 2001-2008. He championed many initiatives, and most notably he believed in school choice, wanting options for families throughout the District. He served on the Citizen Oversight for Measure Y

and served on and chaired the Advisory Committee of International Baccalaureate Program at Wilson Middle School. He was a founding member of Pasadena Village, Board member of New Village Academy for Girls, and my one of my Board members at Learning Works. He was a champion for the underdog and despite his affiliation with a private school, a true advocate for public schools.

Mike and I had many adventures. He worked closely with his friend Dick Davis on building the game room at Wilson Middle School using his wood working skills to build ping pong tables. He made all the school lunch benches at Learning Works which are still there. He loved wood working. He was of course political pushing school choice and not understanding why charter schools were so controversy. My favorite times were when Mike was on the school board and we were trying to exit then Superintendent Percy Clark gracefully with limited damage to the district. Somehow I had become a Superintendent confidant and I was in talks every day with Mike and, at that time, regular conversations with our Mayor. We successfully transitioned the District to a new day. I loved that time with Mike. He was kind. Never wanting to hurt anyone. Always wanting the District to progress and come out on top. He believed in public education.

Mike believed that there were those students who could not be served by the regular school district which is why he served on the Boards of Pasadena Village and Learning Works. He wanted all students to succeed and have multiple chances. Mike was a true educator. He volunteered to tutor one of my Chasers who could not pass the high school exit exam in math, and he passed. He was a man of great words and great action. He made so much of a difference boldly and quietly in this community, we do not know the whole story.

He was my mentor when I was on the PUSD Board. He was my friend. He was my donor. He had a beautiful partner in Carole, love of his life and a great family. Mike was a great role model to all and I will miss him. But he is in a better place, free of pain, making beautiful art with Carol..his love and spirit. Pasadena will miss you.