For over half a century, Rabbi Neil Gillman served as an irreplaceable intellectual force and pastoral presence at the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), embodying a rare combination of scholarly challenger and compassionate mentor. These farewell remarks, delivered at Gillman's 2007 retirement ceremony, draw on decades of collegial observation to illuminate his distinctive impact on Conservative Judaism. Through personal narrative and institutional historical analysis, the text examines how Gillman's pedagogical approach transcended traditional academic boundaries - from his unwavering open-door policy to his extensive engagement with students beyond formal settings. His missionary-like dedication to the Conservative movement from 1954-2007 profoundly shaped multiple generations of rabbis and lay leaders. The depth of institutional loss following Gillman's retirement is perhaps best captured by the Hebrew term "yatmei de-yatmei" (bitterly orphaned), reflecting the void left by a scholar whose primary mission seamlessly merged intellectual rigor with comprehensive spiritual guidance. This analysis reveals how Gillman's legacy exemplifies the highest ideals of religious education through his exceptional commitment to accessibility, mentorship, and theological engagement.