The school year is officially underway, which means the halls and classrooms at Buffalo Ridge Elementary (BRE) are once again filled with the contagious grin, spirit and purple treat-filled pockets of Bill Philbin, better known to students and staff as “Mr. Purple.”

Bill, a retired Hewlett-Packard engineer, spends his days caring for his grandson Patrick, alongside his wife, Sara. The family lives in the Castle Valley neighborhood.

Patrick (10) is a fifth grader and is visually impaired. When he started first grade at BRE, Bill began attending classes with him to help with the transition to public school, offer support with classwork and lend a hand to the teacher.

Bill’s purple journey began when he was helping Patrick’s first grade teacher with grading papers. Bill only had big purple stickers in his bag. A student asked if he had other colors and Bill replied with a simple “no.” And just like that he was dubbed “Mr. Purple.”

By second grade, classroom rewards had expanded to purple erasers and pencils. As Patrick and his classmates got older, Bill introduced purple treats as a fun way to encourage positive classroom behavior. Purple suckers, purple fruit candies, purple Peeps and even purple Tootsie Rolls now fill his pockets and backpack.

On holidays and special occasions, Mr. Purple visits every classroom at BRE to deliver his purple goodies. He is often seen handing out treats to students and staff in the hallways, brightening spirits and spreading smiles. “Mr. Purple is a regular presence at our school and has such a kind heart. Staff and students appreciate his thoughtfulness and all that he does,” said BRE teacher Mary Vu.

“It’s about supporting the parents, the teachers and especially the kids. You give back what you receive, and the staff and students at BRE have been so incredible over the years. This is just my way of saying thank you,” said Bill, who calls himself “the fun guy.”

Over the years, Mr. Purple has become such a beloved part of the school community that students have started celebrating him. At the end of each school year, classrooms have come up with purple-themed surprises to show their appreciation.

At the end of third grade, Patrick’s class painted Mr. Purple’s fingernails and toenails purple. In fourth grade, Patrick’s class ambushed him with 30 cans of purple Silly String. The fifth-grade surprise is currently in the works but will definitely include a purple theme.

Inspired by memories from his childhood, Bill recalled that when he was young, his father always carried hard candies in his pocket and would hand them out to bank tellers, salesclerks or anyone who looked like they could use a pick-me-up. That small gesture left a lasting impression on Bill, and he hopes to continue to carry it forward when Patrick begins middle school next school year.

 

By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of Bill Philbin