National newsblog, the Huffington Post is reporting that Bill Zeller, 27, a native of Middletown has committed suicide. He was considered to be a brilliant programmer, but in a long and harrowing suicide note, which he insisted be published and republished online, he reports details of a troubled past. Zeller was a graduate student at Princeton, and a graduate of Trinity College. A memorial service is planned at Princeton. The Hartford Courant is reporting that Zeller's father is a pastor of a Middletown Church (Zeller is listed online as assistant pastor of the Middletown Bible Church.)
I knew Bill well in high school; we were co presidents of a community service club together and worked on projects for 2 years. My fondest memory was of Bill dressed as Santa giving out presents the club bought at the Headstart in Middletown, which came to mind reading how much he would regret not being able to be a dad. I also remember being in a creative writing class where we had to write children's books. The teacher criticized Bill's for being very short, although with great illustrations. His response was : What's wrong with children just enjoying something just to make them happy?." So ironic to think of that now. Although we drifted apart as many due in college, over the years we talked online and traded photography tips. Bill took stunning photos of nature as he traveled, it is so sad to know despite all the wonderful places all over the world he was able to travel he was never able to escape the scares of childhood abuse.
ReplyDeleteDespite the circumstances in which Bill wrote his final letter, it is very well written and should be shared with people in the education field, victims and I'd even venture to say parents should consider sharing with their children. I shared it with a friend who was abused, and she said that it hit the nail on the head for the pain she has been trying to articulate to others for years but never found the right words.Maybe if society acknowledged that child abuse is not an instance in a victims life but the impact is everlasting it would be take more seriously.
I won't ever forget Bill,I hope he is at peace finally, and I hope in his legacy the community can come up with ways to deal with child abuse more effectively.
Fanatical religion ( which Bill Zeller does speak of and blame for some of his pain in his letter) never did anyone any good. Another lesson about the horrors of religion taken to far/. His letter is just as much a warning about child molestation as it is about fundamentalist christian fanaticism
ReplyDeleteI feel badly for Bill's family and friends. His letter is hard to read but I think it can be a gift to all who have had someone close them take their own life as I do think it gives insight into their pain and perhaps some understanding as to why. It is also a reminder to those among us who are suffering and contemplating suicide to reach out and get help before it is too late.
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