There are far too many things to list. Only restriction to a specific category can keep things manageable. That said, here is a list:
My mother and father, first, last, and always.
L. Gordon Plummer, who taught me a little math, a little magic, and a little philosophy.
Professor Henry Bray, who took me under his (mathematical) wing when I had exhausted the resources of my high school.
Kim Cruttenden and Bruce Gurney, classmates, friends, and examples.
Professors Ky Fan, Max Weiss, and Paul Halmos, who welcomed me into the mathematical community.
Professors Saunders MacLane, Paul Sally, and Spencer Bloch, who polished the rough edges.
Rev. John Hurley, who welcomed me into the Catholic Church, and Father Dennis Tamburello, who got me out of a deep, deep hole.
Professor Chung-wu Ho, who helped me become a professor in fact as well as name.
These are the people who, more than any others, made me who I am. Some are dead; some, I have not seen for years or even decades. I am thankful to, and for, all of them, and I don't think I've said that often enough.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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