Dear Boonville,

I only knew Art Maier through e-mail and perhaps a phone call.

He died on Monday afternoon.

But while I never met him in person, I learned several things about him in the few months that we worked together.

First, he always had a kind word. I could count on an e-mail from him just about every week. The e-mail typically held his column, “Another Bible Story,” for the week, along with a compliment, a note of encouragement or some other expression of care.

Second, he had a positive attitude. I never even thought to ask about Art’s health or any treatments related to his cancer because I was not aware that he had been sick for about three years. Instead, his e-mails expressed eagerness, hope and thanksgiving.

Third, he enjoyed writing. His columns spoke to his depth of knowledge, his sense of curiosity about life and his desire to reach out to those around him. He had worked in calligraphy for years, I’m told, and his work was intricate and impressive.

Art’s wife, Shirley, told me on Monday that he had donated his body to science. Someone will be able to use his eyes in the future, she said, and he wanted research to be done in order to learn more about the paralysis he had experienced for years in his hands and feet.

Shirley Maier told me that her husband spent years teaching subjects such as science and math. Most recently, he had been working in Fulton, helping young people get their GEDs, she said.

In a recent e-mail, Art told me that he would be happy to serve in an informational capacity should I ever be researching articles regarding environmental science.

“Let me know, if facts, resources, are needed,” Art wrote. “I'll stand back, and you can take credit as a crusading editor. You will be doing the work, anyway.

“Lives may be saved.”

Those are telling words, I think. He didn’t want a byline — he just wanted to be a resource.

There’s a word for that: Selfless.

It’s an attitude I hope I can embody more, as time goes on, thanks to Art’s example.

Art, we will miss you.

Nate Birt is news and online editor at the Boonville Daily News. He may be contacted at (660) 882-5335 or by e-mail at nate@boonvilledailynews.com.