Dr. Raines,

I just wanted to say that you were my favorite teacher at Emory & Henry. I looked up to you and held you in high regard. I was so saddened when I heard about your accident. I have thought of you often. I have had my church to pray for you and Mrs. Raines. I have kept you in my prayers as well. You were a great Math teacher and advisor, but most of all you are a great man. I will always remember you. Mrs. Raines I wish you the best as well.

When I was appointed Superintendent of the Washington county schools, Bob and Juanita really made Madelyn and me feel welcomed. They even gave us a place to stay at their home when we were looking for a place to live. I think of Bob's career as one of always helping people reach high standards. He insisted on high standards but would give of his time to help students meet the standards. Bob is an example for anyone who aspires to be an effective educator. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to work with Bob.

Dr. Stainback is a professor in the Emory & Henry Education Department and Associate Director of the Neff Education Center.

I can remember a certain autumn afternoon when I was seventeen years old, and Bob Raines looked me dead in the eye and said, "Now, Liz, I think you ought to be a teacher." I thought that was a ludicrous notion since I didn't have the means to attend college for more than one year. Twenty-five years later, I knocked on his office door as his advisee. He looked up from his work and asked with a smile, "What took you so long?"

Bob taught me that I could master mathematics and teach it well. Even though I teach English and Reading, his methods come in handy. Bob taught me a lot about mathematics, about teaching, and about life. As long as I am alive, I shall treasure every hour I spent in his presence. I feel that way about many professors, but Bob is the one who realized what my life's mission should be all those years ago.

Liz Phillips is our tutor for Praxis 1 preparation and a teacher in Washington County.

There are many things that I remember that are related to our long professional career over the years. The one thing that I keep remembering is your kindness to me as we worked together in Washington County. You always seemed to have the time to give timely advice and a word of encouragement at just the right time. Best wishes to you and Juanita, to whom I have high regard.

I’ll always remember your response one day at a staff meeting when I mentioned to the group that I had driven past the Emory exit that morning and had to backtrack to campus from Meadowview. You looked at me, smiled, held that smile for some time, then finally commented, “Well, Ron, if you came to work more often, such a thing wouldn’t have happened!” This incident will always be one of my favorite “Bob Stories.” Continue to delight your many fans (and yes, I am one too!) with your “quick wit” ….. and, obviously, keen insights!

Please pass on to Dr. Raines that I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. I really enjoyed having him as an instructor at Smyth County Technical Center for the math class given through the Consortium several years back. He is a wonderful educator...and many will miss him.