Howard Forstrom watched his son graduate at the top of his class at NJIT.
HACKENSACK -- Howard Forstrom was going to miss his son's graduation.
The North Haledon man would not be able to leave Hackensack University Medical Center, where he is being treated for stage 4 prostate cancer.
He had spent many hours helping his son Gregory with civil engineering work at New Jersey Institute of Technology and even stayed up until midnight on class registration days to help him get into the choicest classes. Forstrom, an engineer himself, said mentoring Gregory brought them closer together.
The help paid off. Gregory graduated summa cum laude Tuesday.
And with the help of the nurses at Hackensack University Medical Center, a laptop and a good wi-fi connection, Forstrom got to watch him do it.
"Being able to be here but still be there was critical to my health and my mental health," Forstrom said.
Forstrom was diagnosed on June 12. Despite the rapid progression of the disease, Gregory said his father has been an inspiration.
"He has always kept a positive attitude," Gregory said.
Since his diagnosis, Forstrom has become a volunteer chaplain at the John Theurer Cancer Center at the hospital, telling fellow cancer patients they can still be productive.
"I really wanted to give back to cancer patients," he said.
After graduation, Gregory, along with two sets of grandparents and his mother Ellen, a rapid response nurse at the hospital, went to Hackensack for post-grad hugs. The nurses decorated a patient lounge for an impromptu graduation party, complete with red and black balloons--NJIT colors.
"It meant a lot to me," Forstrom said.
Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.