Donald Joseph Pekarek

In talking to my Jefferson school classmates since learning of Mr. Pekarek’s death, one thing is clear: It’s hard to put into words what he meant to us. The respect we have for him, the esteem in which he is held, the flood of wonderful memories that come to mind upon remembering that eventful year—all are truly remarkable.
I’m glad that I once had the privilege many years later of telling him he was born to teach 6th grade, which I always imagined would be the toughest of any age to...

This fine man was my 6th grade teacher in 1968. I considered him my friend and mentor. He had a profound positive effect on my life.

To say that I will miss him is not as appropriate as to say I have missed him for 40 years.