Recent events in my beloved hometown of State College, Pa., seem surreal. I believe that former Penn State coach Joe Paterno died of a broken heart after the cruelty and disrespect shown him by the PSU board. Paterno was a busy executive with his own football team and staff to manage. He could not be expected to be everyone’s mother! It was not the place of a self-righteous and arrogant board to hastily judge or legislate what is moral.

That is the responsibility of our creator alone.

Any inheritance I planned to leave to the university has been removed until all board members responsible for such destructive leadership are dismissed. They set a poor example of prudent crisis management, unraveling every good (not perfect) thing Paterno stood for.

Last, as someone who as a child experienced physical and emotional abuse, no one has to remain a victim of Jerry Sandusky’s alleged acts. There are safety nets in place to support the wounded and move them toward happy and productive lives — if they choose to heal.

Adelene Keeler Smith,

West Palm Beach