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Daniel Bickel Obituary
Daniel W. Bickel
Feb. 28, 1942 - April 11, 2012
Daniel W. Bickel of Farmington, beloved husband, father, brother, teacher, poet, actor and all-around great person, died suddenly on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. He was born Feb. 28, 1942, in the Hongkew refugee district of Shanghai, China.
In 1947, Daniel and his parents, Irvin and Hildegard Bickel, immigrated to the United States. They settled in Saint Paul, Minn.
Daniel graduated from the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University.
After college, he had various careers, including teaching at Tougaloo College in Mississippi, working at an underground newspaper in Rhode Island, and at a food co-op in Minneapolis.
In 1976, he moved to Albuquerque and began pursuing his teaching degree at UNM. He met Karen Kramer there and they were married.
After teaching at Laguna-Acoma and in Connecticut, Daniel and Karen moved back to New Mexico in 1988. They gave birth to two sons, Jesse and Isaac.
Daniel taught for 12 years at TseBitAi Middle School in Shiprock, and five years at Farmington High School. He was a well-loved educator, with former students from Shiprock and Farmington constantly recognizing him and acknowledging the positive effect he made on them.
After retirement, he continued to share his love for literature and books through San Juan College theater productions, the San Juan College Community Learning Center, and as a bookseller at Andrea Kristina's Bookstore and Kafé.
He is survived by his wife, Karen Kramer; sons, Isaac and Jesse Bickel; brother Jeffrey Bickel; and many, many friends.
Please watch for notice of a memorial event at a later date.
Arrangements are with Alternative Choice, 804 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington, 505-325-9611.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Bickel
Roxan Altisi
May 2, 2012
Sorry to hear of our loss. Mr Bickel brought a whole new meaning to learning for me. He was very understanding and very caring. He was very kind and he enjoyed working with us Native Kids on our Rez. I finished at Tse Bit Ai and now my favorite area of study to this day is still english. Thank You & R.I.P.
Germaine
April 20, 2012
Wow, Its sad that Mr. Bickel has passed away. I was a student at Tse Bit Ai Middle School 13 years ago. He was such a nice and happy teacher who liked to help us and joke with the students to lift our spirits. Im so sorry to hear. Thank you Mr. Bickel for your time to help us students become who we are today.
Dianna Schoderbek
April 19, 2012
Dan was a thoughtful, witty and caring man. He was a great husband,father and friend. We will be praying for his family.
Veronica Washburn
April 19, 2012
He was such an awesome teacher and mentor! He was one of few teachers that didnot give up on me!!! He was a great man and will be missed.
Michael Darmody
April 17, 2012
Danny, we hardly knew ye....
Dick Study
April 17, 2012
So sorry to hear about Dan's passing. Lots of memories from our days working at Tse Bit Ai.
Josey Foo Ferguson
April 17, 2012
Daniel bought books from us and would come by to browse our thousand books, especially poetry. He was loving and funny, creative and brilliant. He was so humble he didn't see how deep and smart he made people around him feel.
Sandra Jones
April 16, 2012
I was saddened to hear of Dans passing.I worked with him for many years at Tse Bit Ai.I am praying that the Lord gives you strength and peace at this time.
Debbie Doggett
April 15, 2012
He will be greatly missed. My thoughts are with you.
Janice Jobsky
April 15, 2012
Our Prayers and thoughts are with the Bickel family in this hard time.
Ben & Janice Jobsky
Vernon Perkins
April 15, 2012
My sincerest condolences to Daniel's family. We taught together at FHS for four years & I really liked and respected him. My thoughts & prayers to his family.
Vernon Perkins Aztec, NM
April 15, 2012
My dad and I are saddened to hear of Mr. Bickel's passing. We both taught with him at Tse' Bit' Ai Middle School. He was a wonderful colleague to work with. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
-Nick and Yvette Bustos (Las Cruces, NM)
Joanna Klepac
April 13, 2012
I am so so sorry about Daniel's passing. He was a wonderful teacher and coworker who affected my family in many positive ways, especially as we all shared "The Wizard of Oz" together. He was truly an educator, learner, and fighter and will be sadly missed!
charles pike
April 13, 2012
daniel bickel was such a kind and generous soul. his love of the word was very inspirational. he was a very talented actor, and most of all a very nice man. i count myself as lucky to have shared the stage with him, he was very inspirational.
Keith Smith
April 13, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I taught with Dan for several years at Tse Bit Ai and found him to be a good friend, very knowledgeable and with a great sense of humor. He will be missed...
Bob Kauten
April 13, 2012
Karen, Jesse, Isaac, and Jeff,
I share your grief. Dan was truly my brother. I cannot imagine a world without Dan in it.
Dori Hawthorne
April 13, 2012
Karen, Jesse, and Isaac my heart goes out to you at this very difficult time. You were very blessed to have had such a wonderful man to share life with. Everyone will miss terribly. You will be in my prayers.
Glenn Perica
April 13, 2012
Our condolences to Karen, Jesse and Isaac. Daniel was a truly special person who loved learning and sharing with others. He was committed to making Farmington and San Juan County a better place. We will miss him. May God bless him. Glenn and Chris Perica
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