Walter Sobczak

Walt was a friend, a neighbor, and a good man. He was passionate in regards to the things about which he cared, yet he was willing to listen to other opinions and he treated others with respect. Laura and I moved into the house across the street from Walt and his wife, and on that first, snowy, spring evening, while settling in, Walt was the first to welcome us to the neighborhood ..... he had a pizza delivered to our house! Over the next 10 years, we became friends. The street, sidewalk,...

Walt was one of the kindest men I have known. He and I were active in a local group of Democrats in West Oakland County. MI. He was a faithful, hard- worker for Democratic candidates and causes. The members regard him highly. On January 16 we met for lunch and agreed he was indeed -- as one friend said- " gentleman and a gentle man." I write: Walt, a dedicated man."

Two crazy cousins used to laugh about our computer ineptitude. Wally, I can see your big smile as my name once more appears on this page. Now that you're 'up there', I wish you had nudged me to say that my message, which I thought hadn't gone through, was actually flying through cyberspace. I've now figured out the system so I shall finally leave your family, friends and fans in peace. You are so alive in my mind and heart. I look forward to your 'signs' and the laughter they will bring...

Wally, the man I used to call my 'forever and always best 'boy' cousin', was, is, and will always be my hero. He was the dispenser of wit and wisdom, a letter writer of note, an adventurer who lived for learning the positive in every experience, no matter how simple or challenging. As an adored husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, teacher, humanitarian, tonic, walking encyclopedia, lover of puns, role model, staunch Democrat, member of the Michigan Electoral College and...

To you my treasured Pat, to my cousins about whom I've heard so much. Wally was so incredibly proud of each of you. As an adoring dad, granddad and brother he shared your accomplishments. He worried terribly and prayed with great faith when your experiences were difficult. Wally was the best and as a little cousin, who grew up into a big one, I never stopped idolizing him. I know each of you love Wally enough to set him free from his pain, but will miss him desperately. I once read...

I used to call you my 'bestest boy cousin ever' because that's what you were, are and will always be. You were the brother I never had, the wit and wisdom I needed when I was most down, and you certainly made me aware of politics in America. You often used to tell me we were so sympatico. How that compliment boosted my sense of self-worth because I knew you never uttered a word you didn't mean. I have often wondered what it must have been like to be a student in your class. I'm immensely...

Mr. Sobczak was only my teacher for a few months and I honestly can't recall a single thing that I learned from a textbook in his classroom. What he taught me about how to learn, how to think openly, and how to be a decent human being both back then and in the ensuing years have been indispensable however.

I remember when back in 2004 I told him that I wanted to make a documentary film about No Child Left Behind, and how it may negatively impact students like myself who benefitted from...