GUILDERLAND — Seymour Bieber was engrossed on Thursday morning, teaching a lesson to second-graders at Pine Bush Elementary School. A vigorous man with kind eyes, he looked at ease in blue jeans and a cable-knit sweater as he sat in a chair with a group of children at his feet.
Suddenly, through the door behind him, the school principal, Martha Beck, entered, carrying a birthday cake. Bieber put his hand to his face in surprise, and later, as the children sang "Happy Birthday," he wiped tears from his eyes.
"That’s amazing," Bieber said several times, with a wide smile as shiny birthday balloons were tied to his chair.

The kids, and many in the rest of the school, knew the cake was coming, but kept it a surprise.
"He’s a sweetheart," said Sherry Sullivan, the security monitor who greets visitors at the school’s front door. "He doesn’t look 85; wait until you see him. Everybody loves him."
"He’s our Grandpa Sy," said Principal Beck, describing Bieber’s role in the school. Bieber’s own grandchildren attended Pine Bush Elementary and he began volunteering at the school seven years ago, she said.
"He’s so loyal and so reliable," said Beck. "He’s here twice a week, every week, right on time."
Three third-graders who had worked with Bieber last year were eager to tell The Enterprise about why they liked him.
"He’s really nice and he helps you a lot with your math," said Matthew Darby.
"He’s very generous," said Alli Reiner.
"He would read with us," said Amanda Warren, "and he’s good at it."

Alli, who was going to visit her grandfather in Pennsylvania soon, said she enjoyed having a grandpa at school.
"He’s not like an old person," she went on.
"He can walk good," agreed Amanda.
"He’s a strong man," concluded Matt.
The appreciation flows both ways. "I love the children," said Bieber, when asked why he volunteers.
He had had a grandchild in Crupi’s second-grade class who is now a junior at Guilderland High School. He has a grandson, a Guilderland graduate, who is now a student at the State University of New York College at Plattsburg. He also has a granddaughter at MIT, whom he termed "a certified genius."
"My grandchildren got a wonderful education here," said Bieber. "I have the ability to give something back."

Bieber is retired from his job as the supervisory special referee of the state’s Supreme Court.
"Because of my work, I was not a hands-on father," said Bieber. "I had a magnificent wife," he said, who was wonderful with their children. His wife, Rebecca, died in 1995.

Bieber, now, enjoys the hands-on interaction with kids.
He comes to Crupi’s classroom every Tuesday and Thursday, he said, and helps with "whatever she wants — reading, spelling, math."
"By the end of the year, I really know the children," he said.
Bieber said he would recommend volunteer work at the school to "anyone who has an interest in children."
"We’re so fortunate to have him," said Beck.
"It’s the other way around," insisted Bieber. "They took a gamble on me."

During the party, Beck read a letter from Bieber’s sons and their wives — Michael and Carole Bieber, and Eric and Susan Bieber — and his grandchildren — Jordan, Nicole, Alexa, and David Bieber.
"In celebration of Dad’s birthday and in proud recognition of his work," the letter said, the family donated $85, one dollar for each year of his life, to the school’s library.

Librarian Kim Harmon said that books bought with the money would be labeled as gifts. She asked Bieber what were his favorites, to purchase.
"He likes owls," suggested Crupi, noting Bieber has an owl collection.
"You’re the expert," Bieber said to Harmon. "You pick them out."
The classroom of kids, having enjoyed their birthday cake, chorused a loud "thank you"
"It’s amazing," Bieber said once again.
On the way out of the classroom, Beck described Bieber as "a consummate gentleman."
She concluded, "He makes us happy every time he walks in the door."