John A. Schindele

I can't even describe how much I loved being in Mr. Schindele's math class at Sammamish, circa 1982. This is the man who made me fall in love with math. I taught my own kids all about positives and negatives and polynomials exactly like Mr. Schindele taught me. He was such a phenomenal story teller and I still remember the twinkle in his eyes as he relayed stories of going to friends' homes where the cooking was terrible and accidentally asking upon arrival what was for dinner. I am smiling...

Mr. Schindele was my 8th grade homeroom teacher at Lake Stevens Junior/Senior High School in 1955. (He was also the head basketball and football coach at the high school.). He drew from his combat experiences to teach us about "character", "will to win", and "will to survive". We truly loved him. He left a lifetime, positive mark on all of us in the class. Gerry Horne

Mr. Schindele was my math teacher in 1979. He was a great teacher who pushed us to be our best and, being a poor math student, he was just what I needed. And I will never forget the day he told us of the day his ship was sunk during WWII - to this day I can hear him tell his story. Thank you, Mr. Shindele, for everything you taught us (math and life!) and may God rest your soul.

John was the first person I saw when I interviewed for a teaching job at Sammamish High School. He was singing and whistling in the main office. I looked at him and thought.. "wow I want to work in a place where teachers are this happy." I was lucky enough to be hired and John became my colleague and friend. I am retiring this year and this is still one of my happy memories. He was a good and kind man. He always had something positive to say and he was a role model for new teachers,...

John and I became friends when we both worked for the Seahawks. I will always treasure his stories; about life, football and golf. I felt honored that he would share his WWII stories with me. I think he did so because he knew that he reminded me so much of my own father, a WWII Navy vet who had passed away about the time I met John some 30 years ago. I was so impressed with this man who loved life and his family. Rest in peace John. You will be missed.