Birth date: Jan 31, 1943 Death date: Nov 21, 2014
Cecil Duke Mercer, a retired Distinguished Professor at the University of Florida, passed away on Friday, November 21, 2014 at home after a long battle with neurological Lyme Disease. He was born on January 31, 1943 in Wilson, Nor Read Obituary
Dear Anne and Family; We were so sorry to hear of Cecil's passing. Dory and I were Cecil's students during our graduate studies at our beloved University of Florida. We loved him as a person and our professor, who taught us so much about being true to the mission of teaching what works for children and making sure we do all we can to help students with learning disabilities get what they deserve for success in their futures.
My favorite memory besides having learned so much was when Dory and I were going to school I had an idea of surprising her on Valentines day. She was in Cecil's class that night and I as at home watching our daughters. So I went and saw him that day and asked if he would do something special for me for my wife and hand her a dozen roses during class and give her a little embarrassing moment. He smiled and said gladly. He not only surprised her but he hammed it up so much that she cried and so did some of the classmates, needless to say she appreciated it very much and forever cemented in our minds and souls the compassion and romantic that he probably was to you also.
We will never forget him and we wish we could be there because he meant so much to us and our legacy in education. I have prayed and asked the Good Lord to bless you and your family. We will always love him and we have meant you also if you might remember during our years of school in 1992-1997. Oh Yea!! Go Gators. Love the Beutel Family
Dale and Adory Beutel "Class of 97"
Ann, I was so sorry to hear of Cecils' passing - He was a great person & you were both one of my favorite longtime customers. He spoke at our Rotary Club once and he had the whole club in the palm of his had - they still talk about his speech ten years later. I figured it out and I helped you both to over 100 trips, many of them together to places all over the world. I'm so sorry we will be out of town for his services, but know that both of you have a special place in my heart.
Sincerely,
Bob Robar
Ann my heart goes out to you at this sad time.Cecil touched the lives of more people than he ever knew.He taught me ,I taught others who passed the information to others and the legacy lives on.He was a wonderful man who was loved by many.The number of children that he had some influence on is beyond count.We have lost a great person and my prayers go out to you that you can find some solace in the memories he left behind. With love Ruthann Ross
My heartfelt condolences. I am sorry to hear of Cecil's passing. He was an amazing professor and mentor, but above all, just a wonderful person to have known.
