Mr. Gary Starr Kocher ~ 1967-1968

Mr. Gary Starr Kocher ~ F-Faculty 1967-1968

Arrived ~ 12/24/1937

Departed ~ 12/3/2015

GARY STARR KOCHER OBITUARY

Gary Starr Kocher, age 77, of Toledo, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 3, 2015. He was born on December 24, 1937, to Franklin C. and Ruth E. (Young) Kocher in Akron, OH. As a child Gary grew up in Akron, OH, Rockville, MD and moved to Shelby, OH where he graduated high school. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan where he was a drum major for three years. Later he received his Master’s Degree from the University of Toledo. For 37 years he taught and was the head of the Science Department at Sylvania Northview High School. Gary also taught at Willow Run, MI and Bangkok, Thailand.

Some of Gary’s passions and interests were natural vegetable and flower gardening, fused glass work and stained glass work.

Left to cherish his memory are his siblings, Terry (Mike Reichert) Bodager, Lary Kocher and Sherry Kocher; four nephews; two nieces and three great-nieces.

The family will receive guests on Tuesday, December 8, 2015, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 4150 W. Laskey Rd. (419-473-0300). Sharing of Memories will begin in the funeral home on Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.

Mr. Kocher,

You were my favorite teacher during my time at ISB. You always found a way to make learning fun, and your smile was contagious. That Saturday that you took several of us to Chinatown was a great adventure and one of my fondest memories of Bangkok. Rest in peace and Thank you, David Wilkerson

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

Rose Anne Yancey-Zouaoui ~ Class of 1973

Rose Anne Yancey ~ Class of 1973

Departed ~ 2015

 

 

As reported by her sister Wileen Yancey Dear 

Rose Anne Yancey, latter at American School of Paris and Bruxelles Belgium University, passed in 2015 , in California, from cancer, diagnosed at the last minute near death, and managed to survive almost 3 years until it metastasized  to the brain as a tumor.

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

 

 

 

Jeffrey Jeff “Jesper” Thomsen ~ Class of 1979

Jeff “Jesper” Thomsen ~ Class of 1979

Departed ~ 4/22/2015 ~ Heart Failure

 

Post By Pete Crittenden:

Jeff Thomsen was a friend of mine – we knew him as “Jesper” back in the old ISB days. Sadly, I just learned that Jeff died today in his beloved Bangkok; heart attack, they could not revive him. If I had known he was still in Bangkok all this time, I would have linked up with him during my time as a military advisor in the Kingdom, 1988-92. When the Facebook thing emerged, we got re-acquainted. I was hoping to meet up with him back in Bangkok one of these years . . . now it will have to wait for the Final Linkup in that big Blues Bar in the Sky . . . Farewell for now Old Friend . .

 

Email By Eric Dohlon, ISB class of ’79

I just had a look at the list of friends no longer with us.

I still live and work in Thailand. I work in the insurance business, I am the manager of Bangkok Insurance Brokers Company. After ISB, our family moved to Pattaya and I became a scuba diving instructor. In 1987, I moved to Phuket and have lived here ever since. I couldn’t speak Thai very well while I was at ISB, but now I speak perfectly and read and write. I also help out occasionally as a court translator in the Phuket court-house.

Unlike many students of ISB, Jesper and I are both grew up in Thailand and we were friends long before our teenage years. After ISB, I didn’t stay in touch with Jesper (because I moved to Phuket)……or any other school buddies for that matter! One year I attended the American 4th of July celebrations in Bangkok. The event was held at the Thai Tobacco Monopoly grounds. (I am not sure but I think it was around 2000) I was walking across the field in front of the stage. Jesper was on the stage checking the equipment and he saw me. I didn’t know it was Jesper on stage because I hadn’t seen him in many years. Jesper barked into the microphone “Hey you!”…..once again, “Hey you, walking away from me!” Only then did I realize he might be talking about me. I was walking away with my back to the stage. Jesper said louder….”Hey, is that Eric???” Then I turner around and realized Jesper was trying to get my attention. We had a long talk after that. It was nice to reminisce on old times. I felt sorry for him because he told me that it was tough, working as a single father in Bangkok.

I remember one more incident that happened during our school days. Jesper and I used to ride the regular bus home along Sukhumvit Road after school. One day he happened to be riding a bus that was pulling up alongside the bus I was on. I was sitting on the right side of my bus and saw him hanging on the rear entrance steps. I yelled out a greeting in Thai. He yelled a Thai swear-word back. The buses were traveling at close-to-the-same-speed so we were able to exchange many threatening sentences in Thai. The other bus passengers thought we were going to jump off and fight each other. It was funny looking at all the worried faces wondering if they were going to see two farangs have an altercation in the middle of Sukhumvit Road. To this day, I never knew why we started that impromptu performance.

As a fellow classmate of Jesper, I would love it if you are able to add a few more details to his page. It would be nice if a few more friends could share some of their “moments” with Jesper so we can all have a better memory of him. I leave it up to your discretion to add this or edit parts of what I wrote.

Sincerely,

Eric Dohlon, ISB class of ’79

 

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

Mr. Phil Reeves ~ F-Faculty

Mr. Phil Reeves ~ F-Faculty

Departed ~ 6/24/15 ~ 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.com

Edward Ed Kelsey ~ F-Faculty ~ 1995-2011

Edward Ed Kelsey ~ F-Faculty ~ 1995-2011

Departed ~ 8/11/15 ~ Details unknown

 

 

Dear ISB friends, Barbara Kalis sent me this sad letter from Andy Davies that came this morning. Our hearts go out to Ida and Matt.
Freda Britt Williams

Dear ISB Faculty and Staff ,

It is with great sadness that I inform you that Ed Kelsey passed away yesterday. Ed worked at ISB as a HS Math teacher and coach from 1995 to 2011 and was a huge inspiration to us all. Ed was a master teacher, a passionate and talented coach, a wonderful father, a caring colleague, and a great friend to many at ISB.

Ed is survived by his very loving wife, Ida (who served as our MS librarian from 1995 to 2012) and his son, Matt, who graduated from ISB and now teaches internationally. I know that Ida and Matt will be in our thoughts and prayers as they mourn the passing of a wonderful husband and father. I will be in touch again when I know more about funeral arrangements.

Andy Davies, ISB Head of School, International School Bangkok

From: Shauna Anderson

To: Ida Kelsey August 14 at 7:10am
Ida,

as I intently look at your and Ed’s faces in your cover photo, I am struck by the pure joy I see on your faces, which at the same time brings tears to my eyes. I spent many an hour in Ed’s classroom talking to him about the art of teaching mathematics and being disciplined while training for my marathon and him for his triathlons. Ed’s joy, zeal for life, sense of humor and CHARACTER have impacted me more than I think he knew. One of my fondest memories of him was when he said, “let’s go for run” in a small Thai town when we were chaperones during the Habitat for Humanity Bike & Build trip. Ed was a rabbit (he NEVER went slowly) and I was a turtle, but I agreed to go. He adjusted his pace enough to push me but not make me feel defeated. I am forever grateful for his support and encouragement and saddened beyond words to hear of his passing. You and Matt are in my thoughts and prayers.

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

Gunther Glomb ~ F-Faculty

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

Ann Elizabeth Downer Hazell ~ Class of 1978

Ann Downer ~ Class of 1978

Departed ~ 11/19/2015 ~ ALS

Dear classmates, my family and I only lived in Bangkok for a year, 1972-1973. I attended ISB when I was in 8th grade, and my sister was in 7th. I am deeply saddened to report to you that my sister, Ann Downer-Hazell, died yesterday after a difficult struggle with ALS. She leaves behind her wonderful husband, Ed, and her nearly 16-year-old son, Ben. And me, and our mother Vesta. May Ann’s memory forever be a blessing. Judy Downer

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