We keep losing the good ones, y’all. Can we hit the brakes?! This week, America lost Bay Side High’s most cherished principal, Mr. Belding. He was played by actor, Dennis Haskins, who has passed away at 75.

Dennis Haskins starred in one of the most iconic after-school television series in the 90s, Saved by the Bell. The show is a fine example of what I always imagined my middle school and high school experiences would be like. Me and probably every school-age kid watching the show in the 90s.

Wow, if this statement isn’t true enough. I was considered a good student, and never found myself being sent to the principal’s office. Thank goodness! But Mr. Belding was more than just a disciplinary figure at Bayside High. He became a mentor, a father-figure, and ultimately a friend of the Saved by the Bell gang. As well as to us viewers at home.

He was always trying to be the fresh, hip administrator. However, he was very rarely seen as the cool guy. But the students loved him, even if it at times it was really for their own benefit:

And the shenanigans were never ending at Bayside, but Mr. B was always on his toes:

It wasn’t often Mr. Belding would show the students his softer side. But when he did, they grew to respect him even more:

At the end of the day, our relationship with Mr. Belding was a comforting one. We always felt he’d have our back, even if we were constantly getting into trouble. And to Dennis Haskins’ point from the interview above: we always learned the moral lessons taught in each episode. And we’ll always have Mr. Belding to thank for that.

We’ll miss you, Mr. B!