The flaws of the dead are often ignored. It's human nature to honor the dead by ignoring their lesser qualities. We focus on the good, not the bad. Particularly if that person was in the public eye.

In the case of  Dr. William H. Rizzini, there is no need for the ruse. The Roger Williams University President Emeritus  died on Monday, February 29. By all accounts he was a remarkable man – "One of the good ones," as many have said.

"I was so sad to see him go," said Town Councilman Halsey Herreshoff, a longtime friend of Dr. Rizzini.

"He represent the best of educators. He cared greatly for all the students. He was progressive but practical. I think he was always deserving of the highest respect."

Dr. Rizzini packed his life with hard work and accomplishment. (Read his obituary here.) He was an educator, to be sure, but that is not the full measure of the man. Along with his 28 years at RWU, he also served as Special Assistant to the President at the New England Institute of Technology, chairman of the Board of the Samaritans, was twice chairman of the Town of Bristol Charter Review Committee, and was a member and chairman of the State of Rhode Island Ethics Commission. At St. Luke's Church in Barrington he served as a lector for over 30 years. He was Bristol Rotary Club President from 1987-1988 and a Paul Harris Fellow.

Widely credited for paving the road to RWU's impressive success and growth, Dr. Rizzini served the university from 1978-1989. Under his presidency the college earned a ten-year regional accreditation, its first, and several academic departments achieved professional accreditations. The School of Architecture was established and built under his watch, along with the Thomas J. Paolino Recreation Center and several dormitories.

"He made great advances in the process of going from a weak place toward a stronger pace," Mr. Herreshoff said.

"He was the initiator of the upward slope."

That last bit may be Dr. Rizzini's true legacy. Imagine the difference each of us would make in our lives, our town and our world if we all adopted that spirit of improvement. If we looked at things, large and small, and worked to improve them.

"Whatever he touched got better," Mr. Herreshoff said.

Even in death, the great educator has a lesson for us all.