Our views: ; After 48 years, a living legend retires; Professor Simon Perry knows politics and how to teach it, too

IN 1962, Simon Perry of Gilbert in Mingo County came home toteach political science at Marshall College, as it was then known.He had earned a doctorate from the University of Michigan.

But Perry also had a practical knowledge of politics,particularly as it was - and still is - practiced in Southern WestVirginia.

He also had the gift of knowing how to share his knowledge withstudents. A terrific storyteller, he used examples from life toillustrate his academic point. Students enjoyed his classes and hisstories.

At the infamous Rate My Professors Web site, where anonymousstudents often slam their teachers, Perry received much praise.

"Greatest …