Tag: Faculty and Staff

Mrs. Eunice Kelly ~ F-Faculty 1965-1977

Departed ~ April 1, 2016 ~ Details unknown

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com

Timothy E. Keating ~ F-Faculty ~ Late 70’s to 1982

Departed ~ Early 90’s

Dear ISB Network,

My name is Jun Ikeda, ISB class of ’83, a Japanese national living in Bangkok.

I just browsed through your website and thought I might want to add an info of the former ISB faculty member who passed away.

His name was Timothy E. Keating. I don’t know the exact year he came to teach at ISB but I believe it was late 70’s and he taught photography and was also responsible for publishing of the year book, Erawan, until he left to teach at American school in Egypt in 1982. He also taught at an American school in Teheran, Iran, till the Islamic Revolution that brought Ayatollah Khomeini in power and US embassy hostage crisis there so that was the year he came to teach at ISB.

He died in early 1990 and I learned of his death from his sister in Pennsylvania. I don’t remember his age when he died but he was in his early 50’s. I have visited his sister in PA when I went to US on backpacking trip in 1998 and received a small amount of his ashes in a film case so I can sprinkle in Japan (where he visited but I still do keep his ashes as I moved back to Thailand before I found a good opportunity to do so in Japan).

I wanted his loss to be known on your website in your “alumni search” page as Timothy Keating was a good friend to many of his photography students/Erawan staffs and I thought many of them wanted to know whereabout of his.

Sincerely,

Jun Ikeda

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com

Mr. Joel Max Kabatznick ~ F-Faculty ~ 1980-1983

Departed 11/25/95~Alaska~Complications due to M.S.

 

 

Mr. Joel Kabatznick was seriously one of the most unique and memorable teachers and one of my most favorite in all of my educational experiences. He was an excellent teacher and taught and ran the Theater Arts department @ ISB. He was a bit of an eccentric and always wore clothing that did not match. I think he was either color blind or he just had different taste in clothing. We were all told that he had a PhD. in Math from Harvard University. He had a real down to earth way of relating to all the kids on the campus. He was the “COOL TEACHER”. There was not one kid that didn’t like him. He was a true gem and a one of a kind. He was entirely responsible for both my brother’s and myself becoming interested and involved in the theater program and participating in the school plays. Mr. Kabatznick was the kind of teacher who made learning a fun and positive experience. He advocated on his students behalf always and related to us as a friend not an authority figure. He mentored and counseled us when we got in trouble at school or sent up to Mrs. Boonaug’s office as well. I will never forget the time when he found my mom at Scott’s graduation and simply walked over and said nothing and sat down right in her lap and put his arms around her, giving her a huge hug and a kiss. He always had good things to say about others. I don’t ever remember hearing anything coming out of his mouth that was mean or negative. It was absolutely a crazy, funny, and bold move on his part and he was someone who would carry out off the wall crazy stuff and make people laugh. He taught so many of us about the importance of having laughter in our lives. I was truly very saddened to hear about his passing on the website. I was hoping to be able to find him and just thank him from the bottom of my heart for all the great experiences we had @ ISB.
May God Rest His Soul. He was an awesome person and for someone with his accomplishments he was very graciously humble.

From: Katrina Fortner
To: ISBangkok
Sent: 2/12/2009 1:27:51 A.M. Central Standard Time

I Found this tribute on Amherst College Alumni Website

In Memory of Joel Max Kabatznick

JOEL MAX KABATZNICK
South Main Street, Westbrook, Conn.
Prepared at Middletown High School
Mathematics
Phi Delta Sigma, Rushing Chairman
Football “1962”, Wrestling 1,2,3,4.
Masquers. Squire of the Pit.

Joel’s sister writes that Joel died November 25, 1995 while residing and teaching in Alaska. He is dearly missed!

A former student of his –Rebecca Lopez — adds the following remembrance

Joel Kabatznick is a hero to many, he was loved and adored by his students. I was his student from 1983-1985 and consider him a huge influence in my life. His home was always opened to his students. We danced around the house when his infant son would reach some milestone, and his wife would make pizza and popcorn for us. It was a warm, happy environment that so many of his students lacked at home. He passed away in 1995 from complications due to M.S., my understanding is that he continued to teach almost to his last breath. Even today, over ten years later, writing this, is very emotional for me. I wish my own children could have known him. He was a crazy man who smoked cigars, ate raw garlic, wore these crazy ties, and would do the most outlandish things in class to get our attention We loved him and we miss him.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com

Dr. Arthur H. “Art” Himmler ~ F-Faculty 1982

Departed ~ 2/9/2013 ~ Automobile Accident

Remembering the life of Art Himmler
February 20, 2013 By Cara Mitchell
Dr. Arthur Herbert Himmler

Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate the ones we love the most. So it was appropriate that hundreds of friends and former colleagues of Dr. Arthur H. Himmler gathered at Oberlin Church in Steilacoom to remember someone very near and dear to their hearts.

Dr. Himmler, or “Art” as many new him, died in a car crash on February 7, 2013 in eastern Washington. He was 68 years old. Himmler was the superintendent of the Steilacoom Historical School District from 1994 to 2009. It was a time of great change for the district, and Himmler was there leading the way in every way, shape and form.

During his memorial service on Feb. 14, friends and family shared memories about a humble man who loved music, loved his family, and loved life.

In paying tribute to Himmler’s music background, the Steilacoom High School Jazz Band and the Steilacoom High School Choir performed. The choir performed the song, I Hear Sweet Music, and gave a beautiful performance of Amazing Grace.

Retired general John Hemphill touched on many of Himmler’s accomplishments both as a Kiwanis member and as superintendent, including the rebuilding of Saltar’s Point Elementary, remodeling the high school, bringing Chloe Clark Elementary online, and integrating computers into the district.

“There comes a time when a man must choose between what is right, and what is easy. Art never failed to choose the right,” said Hemphill.

Himmler led the charge in getting the school district’s boundary changed so all of DuPont’s city limits was included in the Steilacoom School District boundary.

“He was a great man. I will never forget him,” remarked Hemphill.

Former Steilacoom High School Principal Jan McCrimmon shared a story that took place last summer, when she visited Himmler and his family in Omak, WA.

“What do you do at night in Omak? You sit outside with Art and Noi, look up at the sky, and watch for the first satellite.”

Chloe Clark Elementary Principal Gary Yoho shared that Himmler was a great believer in family.

“I once made the mistake of attending a board meeting on the same night one of my kids had a concert. After the meeting, Art came up to me with a very serious look on his face, and he told me he never wanted me to attend a board meeting again if my kids had a concert on the same night.”

For two hours, friends from across the state shared stories about a brilliant music teacher who loved the outdoors and made everyone smile. Himmler was described as the ‘god father’ of WAVA, or the Washington Virtual Academy. He touched the lives of children, parents and educators from Hong Kong and Bangkok to Washington’s Orcas Island, Carbonado, Steilacoom and Omak school districts. He was someone who could see the good in every child, and in all of us.

Above everything, Art placed his family first. The best part of his life was his wife Noi, and daughters Ja-ay, Apple and Elna.

Himmler’s youngest daughter, Elna Himmler Leavitt, beautifully eulogized her father.

“He was my Indiana Jones,” she said.

Elna asked that instead of living each day like it’s our last, to instead live each day like it’s our dad’s or mom’s last day.

“Do something that will make a positive impact in their life.”

She also encouraged all who loved her father to act and be just a little more like him.

Based on those who loved him the most, that would include being humble and a good listener. Be a positive role model. Show kindness and compassion no matter what. And always, put your family first.

“He was a brother and a dear friend. Art loved the Lord. I know for certain we’ll see him again someday,” offered friend Duane Hardesty.

Until then Dr. Himmler, Cheers.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com

Gunther Glomb ~ F-Faculty

Departed~08/17/2015 ~ Details unknown

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com

Mrs. Lois Elder ~ F-Faculty 1968-1973

Departed ~ 08/2007

 

 

mention your name and i’m gone again, ohhhh i’m gone again.

I learned all my most important first lessons about travel, fine cuisine, culture, markets, silver jewelry and fabrics from my amazing, talented artistic beautiful Mother Lois Potthoff Elder. She exuded style, grace and beauty in all she did. She was a gifted watercolor artist and had a deep appreciation for the art of Spain and Mexico, India and Thailand. In Bangkok our family spent our entire Sundays at Snam Luang weekend market. Hunting for treasures, admiring an infinite variety of creativity in wood, textile, precious metals, Thai Silks, spices and munching our way though acres of food stalls. Toasted coconut treats, grilled pineapple, mee Krob . Toasted peanut thingies! Aside from the beaches of southern Thailand, these were my favorite memories of our family. Everyone going their own way for hours, then reconnecting off and on all day. What few gifts I possess as a human being I Lay them all at her feet.

Missing her deeply today.

David Elder

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com

 

Mrs. Irene Byers ~ F-Faculty ~ 1966-1969

Departed ~ 5/16/1995

 

Irene Byers was never my teacher, she was our neighbor Irene, Becky’s mom, and a teacher, but never my teacher. And, that was probably for the best. Irene was a very nice lady, the boys all liked her. She was attractive, well dressed, and very well spoken. Becky reminds me a lot of her mom.  I mostly remember her as being one of my Mom’s friends, and she did not have many. Irene and my mom had what I called the afternoon nap club. They would both have lunch by the Honeywell Court pool, accompanied by a big frosty Singha, and the would both sleep under the cabana.  She was also, like Becky, a great fashion follower; Take a look at the old photos and you will see that the most fashionably dressed was always Irene.

G. W. “Sandy” Ferguson 69′

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com

 

 

Mrs. Alice Lorraine Finnigan ~ F-Faculty

Departed 1/09/11 ~ Details unknown

Mrs Alice Lorraine Finnigan, taught 4th grade on Bangkapi ISB campus 1969, and 1970. She passed away 1/09/11

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com

 

 

Tina Ratanavaree ~ ISB ES Secretary

Departed ~ 11/9/19

Mr. Phil Reeves ~ F- Faculty

Departed June 24, 2015 ~ Details unknown

Posted By: Debby Stinemetz Caulfield Class of 1970

I received the sad news today that former science teacher Phil Reeves passed away this morning in Marshfield, Massachusetts. He was 87 years old. He had been ill for just three weeks and died peacefully. I talked with his neighbor, Leslie, who has cared for him for the past 20 years. She said that he was greatly loved by everyone in his church family and they all knew how much his connection with the ISB alumni family meant to him. When Phil was in the hospital she wanted everyone to know who this amazing man was and she told everyone about his history as a science teacher beloved 40 years ago and today. Phil teared up and said, “Yes, my students were my children.” Leslie also told me how much he loved to dance at church. I told her we knew all about his dancing prowess as we witnessed it on the Teen Club dance floor at the reunions. A small funeral service will be held on Thursday. Phil was very committed to his Christian faith and wanted any remembrance donations be made to:

Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
One Billy Graham Parkway
Charlotte, NC 28201

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com