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Marion E. McAnear

Marion McAnear Obituary

McAnear, Marion E. 10/18/1927 ~ 04/19/2013 SANTEE -- Marion "Mac" McAnear, loving family man, high school teacher and gifted poet, passed away surrounded by family and friends. Born in Shamrock, Texas, Mac served as an occupation soldier in Germany, where he met Helga Doerbecker, whom he married and brought to San Diego to raise a family and begin his career in education. Teaching English and German, and coaching boys' soccer, he was known affectionately to his students at Crawford High as "Herr Mac." He retired in 1994 and became a prolific, award-winning poet; he also published two novels. He travelled extensively with Helga, who passed away in 2007. Mac is survived by four children: Marcia Vallance, Michael McAnear, Marvin McAnear and Tanya McAnear. He also is survived by seven grandchildren, two great- grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on May 12, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Marion McAnear

20 Entries

Debora Weber-Wulff

July 6, 2025

Rather late to the party, but oh my, how my life changed by having German class with Herr Mac! He organized a trip to Germany to work in a youth hostel in the summer of 1974! I went back on my own in 1975, met my future husband and returned again in 1976 to study in Germany! People here are always amazed that I know so many German folk songs and have heard of Freddy Quinn - that was all due to Herr Mac! And learning to waltz and dance polka at the German-American Society in El Cajon. Sorry to hear of his passing, I should have written to let him how how much he influenced my life.

Samuel S Turner

June 10, 2022

My first job was at Crawford High in September 1964. I was only 23 years old, yet Marion and I got along as if we were the same age. Though he taught German and I taught English, we shared that teaching and learning were (or should be) joyful. We also shared that we were teaching "students" as well as teaching a "subject."

Mac was older and certainly more experienced than I was, but he always wanted to know about my summer in 1958 in Germany as an AFS exchange student.

He made me feel welcomed as a colleague and a friend, and he probably never knew that he influenced my philosophy of teaching when he invited my wife and I to accompany him and his students to a night of dancing at a German polka place in (or near) Del Mar.
Mac had a contagious glint in his eyes so that everyone around him sensed that enthusiasm for living!

I only learned of your passing my dear colleague, but you live eternally in my memories and in those of us at CHS you inspired.

Prost! Auf Wiedersehen mein freund.

June 6, 2013

Wonderful man. I had him for two years of German.
It was always a fun class 1977-79. Here's to Herr Mac!
B. Smith

Janet Burgess

May 29, 2013

Herr Mac took his first group of kids to Europe in 1969. When he told us in 1968 he was going to do that, Liz Urick and I signed up right away. His plan was to take 12 kids by bicycle. Well, as time went on, it ended up 40 kids and first class Eurail passes. Those months traveling abroad changed my life and has given me life-long friendships with some of the kids we met there. Thank you, Herr Mac, for teaching me German and the meaning of so many things in life. We will all miss you. Auf Wiedersehen my friend.

May 25, 2013

That trip to Europe organized by the German-American Society in 1972 with Herr Mac leading the troops. An indelible succession of Kodachrome moments. Loved that guy who ushered us from train to train (charter bus ride too), city to city, and then, to the delight of about 20 Crawford and Patrick Henry students, let us loose. We didn't reek too much havoc (Well, I think we were almost thrown out of one Youth Hostel.) I've returned to Europe on several occasions since, but none left such wonderful memories as this one--and always with the calm smiling face of Herr Mac as one of them. Say hey to Peter and Abbie, and most of all, to you Marvin. I remember the thankfulness I felt that you brought that 12 string along. Played that guitar a lot. We loved your dad. I'm glad to hear he lived long and well.

Rick Millican Class of '72

Resa Rosenstein

May 20, 2013

I remember Herr Mac's smile and learning, "Guten Tag!" He was a nice man with a passion for teaching. May he rest in peace. My heart-felt sympathy goes out to his family.

Roger Covalt

May 18, 2013

I'm at a loss of words. Herr Mac was one of my 2 favorite teachers in High School. Not only did I learned German from him, but also learned a lot about the world and myself from being associated with him.

Roger Covalt- Crawford 77

Robert Hilke

May 17, 2013

Nothing original for me to say; the other guest book posters have already captured the essence of a very special person who had such a huge influence on all of us when we were at a formative period in our lives. Vielen Dank, Herr Mac!!

Victor Perez

May 17, 2013

I remember Herr Mac with fond memories. My condolences go out to his family. As a student at Will C. Crawford High School during the late 60s & early 70s, I was on the soccer team that was sponsored by the German Club. He always had a big smile on his face and you could tell he loved his work and students.

Bob Richardson

May 17, 2013

My late wife, whose maiden name was Carole Lynn Smithson, also had German at Crawford from Mr. McAnear in 60-61 (I took Spanish at Crawford). She and Barbara Hinrichs Vester were best friends, I think mainly because of having taken German together. Barbara was Maid of Honor at our wedding and remains a close friend. Carole was a straight-A student in German, both in her junior year from Mr. Lauer, and her senior year from Mr. McAnear (I've just dug out her report cards) and passionately loved German. There was a very active German Club that year—Carole and Barbara were both quite involved in it. As an undergrad at the University of Chicago she took quite a few more German classes. It testifies to the quality of instruction in German at Crawford that she became so proficient in the language. On her April 7, 1961, report card Mr. McAnear added the comment, “Ausgezeichnet wie immer.” So was he—I wish Carole could speak for herself on this subject.

David Clark

May 17, 2013

Herr Mac was my German teacher at Crawford in the late sixties. He not only taught German, but also a positive outlook on life and a good sense of fun. One of the best! Auf wiedersehen, Herr Mac!

Barbara Hinrichs Vester

May 17, 2013

Herr McAnear taught my 2nd year German class his FIRST year at Crawford, 1960-61. I, too, remember the "twinkle in the eye". Several years ago I had occasion of meet of one his grandsons in Prescott, Az. Such a surprise when this young man who was doing some work for us told me his grandfather was a retired German teacher--in San Diego.
German remained an important part of my life, my kids' lives and now my granddaughter's. Ich danke ihm.

LaMar Rogers

May 15, 2013

I always think of Mac as a great German teacher, a wonderful story teller and just a fun person to be around. I often hiked with him in a hiking group he started after he retired. The hiking group still exists today. Mac was a very outgoing and positive person. He will be missed.

Pam Chidgey (Hein)

May 15, 2013

During my junior or senior year (1970 or 71) Herr Mac gave us the wonderful opportunity to travel with him to Germany during the summer. At the time, the priority for my savings seemed to be needed for a car but I regret that decision to this day not only because the car ended up being a headache but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with my excellent German teacher in his homeland was passed up. May his family know he is remembered with much fondness and gratitude.

John Flohr

May 14, 2013

The man taught more than language, he taught culture. He and Helga taught many of us folk dancing. He arranged a job in a youth hostel after graduation that has to be the most memorable summer of my life. Herr Mac you will be missed.

Doug Glass

May 14, 2013

My heartfelt condolences to the McAnear family. Herr Mac was the person responsible for the Crawford HS soccer team that I played on from 1969-1972 as part of the German club. He also helped me get a job at a liquor store owned by a friend of his when I left UCSB in 1975. He also allowed me to help coach the soccer team at Crawford. Herr Mac treated me like a responsible man, helped build my self esteem and showed that loyalty matters. I'll always remember him fondly especially the smile and twinkle in his eyes. As he used to say leading us in a pre game cheer: Zigge, zagge, Zigge, zagge, hoi, hoi, hoi! My thoughts and prayers go out to Herr Mac and his family.

Phil Lindsley

May 13, 2013

Posted but inadvertantly didn't sign yesterday. Ein Prosit Herr Mac!

Ted McFarland

May 12, 2013

The most influential teacher I had at Crawford High School. Taught me its OK to have fun while learning. Will raise a glass and toast to him tonight while recalling every song he taught us to sing. Rest in Peace, Herr Mac!

Sandy Gonzales

May 12, 2013

Herr Mac was a delight to be around. He was an esteemed colleague in the Foreign Language Department at Crawford. He taught the German and I taught the Latin. Sadly both programs got lost by the wayside. My fondest memories of him were lunches with domino tournaments in the teachers' lounge. Having him as a partner nearly always meant a victory. He had a wonderful sense of humor and everyone loved his company. I shall always remember him as one of the best people in my life. His family has my deepest sympathy.

May 12, 2013

Great teacher, great human, and the Godfather of one of the greatest moments of my life: the imfamous Europe '69 Gang! Was great seeing him at the reunion a couple of years ago. Will miss Herr Mac, and treasure his memory always. My thoughts are with him and his family today.

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