October 19, 2005

To:      My APPLE friends

From:  Karl Janowitz

As you may have heard, Dr. Algirdas Grigonis has died.  You also know, I am sure, that he and I have been extremely close -  we were best friends, he was my mentor, he was monumentally influential in my special education work in Lithuania with APPLE.  In short, he played an important role in the last quarter of my life.

For those of you who didn’t know him, he was a true humanist.  His kind, compassionate manner was extended to all with whom he worked – school directors, administrators, government officials, parents, children, and his students (both University and the special students he worked with so passionately). 

No matter how high he climbed in the special education system in Lithuania, he never stopped working directly with children with disabilities.  He was a true expert in his field, studying with leading professors and researchers in eastern Europe’s most prominent institute for special psychology/special education.  He was a cornerstone, both theoretically and practically, of the modern Lithuanian special education movement.

He was a true nationalist, in the most positive sense of the word.  He was loving and caring for Lithuania, wishing to use his knowledge to influence things in his own country.  He never considered working anyplace else. 

Yet, he was a true ecumenical, “world citizen”.  He never felt prejudice towards anyone, never said a disparaging word because of  national, ethnic, religious, ethnic, or any other differences that divide human beings today.

Algirdas was a true friend and supporter of APPLE.  He established an APPLE chapter in Kaunas with over 600 active members, established an APPLE library of special education materials in Kaunas for EVERYONE’S use, and organized APPLE seminars throughout Lithuania, often in sites that never received other “professional” visitors. 

Dr. Grigonis tremendously shaped APPLE’s mission in Lithuania.  You also know I worked with him for the past 14 years, in the spring as well as in the summer.  Isn’t it ironic that now I am president of APPLE  - a role he always wanted for me, although I didn’t always want it for myself.  At a time when I was looking forward to being able to look to him for wisdom and guidance with this important position – he is no longer here.

I have never known anyone like A. Grigonis.  While his death has created a void, I am forever grateful for having had him in my life.  He has shown me the true greatness of Lithuania.