This morning I said goodbye to my friend and neighbor Dick Gastler. Dick was a much loved social studies teacher at Denfeld High School for years. An early illness he suffered back in 1983 gave me a chance to take over his class as a long term substitute which led to later gigs teaching in the Duluth Schools.
His funeral was held at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and there were some fun quotes from his students in several displays. A big celebration had been planned for about this date many months back before Dick was diagnosed with a fast moving illness that replaced the planned celebration with today’s funeral service. It is a blessing that the one event led to so many of his students writing their fond memories of his classes which Dick got to read over and over again in his last months. According to the minister Dick kept singing right up to the end such was his good humor.
I saw Superintendent Gronseth sitting by himself and joined him. I asked him if he often attended other such occasions for lost members of the ISD 709 staff but he said not so much. Mr. Gastler had been one of his teachers and the two had sung together in the “Denfellows” men’s choir. It was nice singing along side the Superintendent whose vocal range is much like mine.
We chatted a bit about the recent meeting at Lester Park concerning rubber mulch. We agreed it was just one more complication for an already overtaxed school system. Although today’s occasion was solemn it was nice to be reminded of what schools are all about. Kids and caring teachers.
