William O. E. Declercq

April 22, 2021
To family and friends of "Mr. Declercq" - he was one of my favorite and most memorable teachers (Richard Henry Dana Jr. High School - his classroom was in upper bungalows)) who was so intelligent, thoughtful and HANDSOME! I recall his saying something to effect that "...if I can reach one student, in one term, then (I've) made a difference" (my interpretation would be he fulfilled purpose) that I've never forgotten for what it indicated about his dedication and "calling"...

I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Declercq as a teacher. He was one of the few that made it to my favorite teacher list. Sorry to hear of his passing.

In the early 1970s at San Pedro High, the were many outstanding teachers in the Social Studies Department. Bill Declercq was one of the best. In my final semester, I was a student in his groundbreaking Comparative Religion class. But I actually knew Mr. Declercq before taking a class with him. On one election night, my friends and I plastered his house with Sam Yorty posters (he was not a fan of Mayor Sam). After we rang his doorbell and retreated to the shadows, he proceeded to yell in jest...

A gift to all of his students. Simply one of the best.

Was a memorable teacher:) I may not have always believed in his Cor-value base .. but his teachings helped develop the minds of the next generation to question why.... the why of —believe in the MAGIC. The magic that I have seen has welcomed life into this world , that which should not exist. The MAGIC that anything can be over come no matter what the obstacles.
AMAZING MAN may he RIP sweet man and remember “””DON’T BE A MINDLESS AUTOMATON”””

I was so fortunate to have Mr. Declercq as an English teacher in 8th grade at Dana Junior High School. Although he taught English, it was obvious that his true love was history, politics, and critical thinking. He was the first teacher to help me start to overcome my fear of public speaking and also to think critically and not just accept what I was told. As mentioned, he invited students to his home and I even babysat for his young daughters. Although I eventually went into medicine and...

I had Mr. Declercq at Dana and he was the first teacher who taught me to think for myself. He showed that it was right to question conventional wisdom and that forming your own ideas was critical to becoming a functioning adult. I have thought of him many times over the years as someone who helped shape who I am today.

My most sincere condolences to his family. I hope they take solace in knowing he affected so many of his students in a positive way. He made a difference for...

He nurtured my love of history. He inspired me and I have never forgotten him. he taught me to think for myself.

Oh my...memories of class at Dana with Mr D are some of my fondest. He challenged us to think, critically, something not many teachers did then or do now. May he Rest In Peace. SPHS ‘73