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David Stoeri
1948 - 2021
David Stoeri
1948 - 2021
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1948
DIED
2021
David Stoeri Obituary
David Stoeri, beloved brother and uncle, husband, teacher, musician, master storyteller, and humorist passed from this life on July 2, 2021. David was born in Midland, MI, November 9, 1948, to the late Herb and Rita Stoeri. He was a 1967 graduate of Midland High School and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Elementary Education from Western Michigan University in 1972.
Dave's first post graduate employment was in Bad Axe, MI, where he taught 6th grade and coached the high school girls' volleyball team to the state volleyball finals - making his mark with the team motto "pigs in space". Dave then took his quirky sense of humor and his commitment to children to Beloit, WI, where he taught 5th and 6th grade.
Dave was a self taught master of guitar, banjo, fretted dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, and harmonica as well as a large variety of percussion instruments. Trombone was his instrument of choice early in his life (thanks Mr. Mead!) Dave and his trombone were a part of the city band in each city in which he lived. He wrote beautiful poetry; eventually turning his mastery of language to music and lyrics. Among his many original pieces is a birthday song that deserves worldwide use. David and his partner/music partner, Roxanne Neat, began traveling the Midwest; during this 19 year period they delighted audiences of all ages and published five albums of music.
In 2001, Dave returned to teaching, moving to Winston-Salem, NC. He brought his unique talents to Summit School where he was described as: one of a kind, a creative force, authentic, spirited, fun AND funny, outside the box (wayyyy outside!) In 2020, Summit School awarded Dave the Marian Millaway Douglas '69 Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Among Dave's many eclectic interests: fishing, epic cribbage games with his father; triathlons with friends Fred, Pete, and Frank; yoga; flying kites; cats, parakeets and lorikeets; pasties and cudighi from the Upper Peninsula; cycling; scuba diving; cross country skiing; the exploits of a stuffed bear named Puffy. And he was very proud to have dipped his front tire in the Mississippi River after participating in the Iowa Great Bicycle Ride - twice. Dave loved life, children of all ages, and creating magical worlds using music, story telling, and humor. How lucky were we to have been part of his life!
David is survived by his spouse, Patience Teah-Williams, and her children, Tracy, Terri, and Jean-Julien; 5 siblings and their spouses: Tom and Meg Stoeri, Kathy Stoeri, Jim Stoeri and Elisa D'Arrigo, Bill Stoeri and Sue Johnston, Marilyn Waun and Ray Elvey; 11 nieces and nephews: Andrew Stoeri, Alison Pardue, Zak Stratton, Tyler Stratton, Kelsey Stratton, Mackenzie Stratton, Elena Stoeri-D'Arrigo, Hazel Stoeri-D'Arrigo, Maddie Stoeri, Tony Stoeri, Adrienne Waun; and our much beloved Uncle Jerry and Aunt Pat Gaviglio. David was predeceased by our dear sister-in-law, Karen Koontz Stoeri.
There will be a memorial service July 24 in Winston-Salem; in addition, a private commemoration will be held in Michigan.
In lieu of flowers please donate your favorite children's book or music CD to your local library in honor of David.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Naomi Magnus
August 12, 2024
Shrimpkin from Beloit, WI misses you. I am writing a book about a dragon. I am sure to get the golden paperclip award. Mr. S. will be included in my acknowledgements because he definitely sparked my creativity.
Naomi Magnus
August 12, 2024
I was just thinking of him and decided to look him up and found out he passed. He was the best teacher I ever had! I was so honored when he came to my first wedding. Read his obit and you will know why I remember him with such fond memories. He was the main reason I became a teacher. I often thought while I was teaching Improv to sixth graders this summer W.W.M.S.D?
What would Mr. Stoeri do in this situation? He handled our class with humor and grace. I can hear him in my head when I do the same thing with my students. I found out one of my most difficult students loved the songs "Eye of the Tiger" and "Living on a Prayer" so I performed them with him during our class party. Mr. S. would have loved that. We finally connected and he gave me a big high five as he was leaving. Mr. Stoeri taught me that music is magic.
Eilers Charles
October 27, 2021
So sorry, I miss him and I never met him.
Kennie King Bothwell
July 26, 2021
To the entire Stoeri Family, my sincere condolences. Dave would pop in and out of my life from Midland to Janesville, WI and points in between. The last time I saw him he had just finished a race in Janesville and we were catching up on our mothers ( and Kathy) in Midland along with the music world we both moved in, comparing gigs and booking a show for him. Just wow ! He brought so much joy to so many with the incredible insight of youth. While you miss him, celebrate what he brought in goodness.
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Carrie "Peeper" Kwasnik
July 19, 2021
Mr. Stoeri made such a difference in so many people´s lives. He was simply a beautiful human being. If only we could all give like he did. I am so lucky to have met him in 6th grade, and to have enjoyed all the love and kindness he shared. His legacy lives on. All the very best to his siblings and family who I am certain are equally amazing.
Jeanne Carfora
July 19, 2021
David's humorous personality touched my heart when our daughters were small. They were entertained at the Janesville Public Library by David and Roxanne. It was always a fun/funny opportunity to fall in love with music and words! Thank you David for all the smiles you brought to our family! Rest in peace, dear friend.
John Graf
July 18, 2021
David´s organization of the camping trip of 12-13 year olds noted earlier reminds me of the yearly mailings we would do from Janesville, Wisconsin to an entire multi-state region´s worth of schools in search of music and storytelling bookings for him and Roxanne Neat. His leadership qualities propelled us through the stuffing and stickering that helped him and Roxanne find their way to venues for their talents and love of humanity. He also was my partner in helping me move from southern Wisconsin all the way up to the near-northernmost tip on Lake Superior in Ashland. We survived car trouble on the way and unloading the contents of a moving truck filled with the hefty collections of an amateur librarian and archivist - into a third-floor apartment! A memorable adventure with a great friend. RIP.
Laura (Badgley) OBrien
July 17, 2021
The impact Coach Stoeri has had on my life can not be measured. The memories of going to state finials one year to be followed the following to regional finials are priceless. Teaching hard work and teamwork are used daily in my life.
Bob Jelinek
July 16, 2021
Dave and I rented and apartment together for a year in Bad Axe while he was teaching for a year. Right before that Dave, Mike and I drove a VW Van to Coeur d Alene ID. And worked as waiters for the summer then drove back to BA VIA Seattle, LA, Tijuana. Dave was really a neat person!!!!! Would have loved to have seen him again.
David Talaski
July 16, 2021
I'm also an alumni of the 6th grade in Bad Axe. Mr. Stoeri was an inspiration for me and he is the best teacher I've ever known. I remember my mom throwing away my "stew can" award because she thought it was just some old can. Hardly! That can was an award for "Stupendous Tidbits of Educational Wampum"! Thank you for all you have given!
Carolyn Gaines Stradley
July 16, 2021
Mr. Stoeri was my 6th grade teacher in Bad Axe and was the most influential teacher in my life. He made learning fun and made each sure each student knew they mattered. RIP Mr. Stoeri.
Shelley Nichols
July 16, 2021
Mr. Stoeri was my favorite teacher of all time.
He was my sixth grade teacher in Bad Axe, and inspired me to become a teacher. He loved to teach, loved to learn, and he "saw" every kid and really did treat all kids equally.
Enormously creative and very funny. S.T.E.W, wykenfloss, jabberwocky, etc, etc.
May his memory be a blessing
Angie Kwasnik Johnson
July 16, 2021
Mr. Stoeri was my 6th grade teacher in Bad Axe. I just finished my 31st year as an English teacher. His joyful creativity, appreciation for diversity, and passionate respect for young people inspired me like no other adult did. His example led me to teach and he remains in my memory a compass of compassion for my own students. Over the years I have shared stories of him, especially when teaching students to write poems about people who inspired them. Some years ago I wrote this poem as a model for my students (linked below), which someone found on the Internet and shared with him at the time. I think he enjoyed it! Peace to you, Mr. Stoeri. You get the Golden Paperclip Award for Best Teacher Ever.
https://tinyurl.com/usmrc4tc
Debby Dzukola-Gainor
July 15, 2021
I will never forget The Wonderful World of Wyken Floss (don't hold me to the spelling)! In 1977 he was my reading teacher in Bad Axe. Most influential teacher I ever had. My condolences to his family.
Anna Gilbert
July 15, 2021
I am in my 30th year of teaching because of Mr. Stoeri! He was my 6th grade teacher in Bad Axe. I thought of him often and his influence on me and my teaching - his footprints continue everywhere!
Sara Rowland Herman
July 15, 2021
I'm sure many will say this, but David was my favorite teacher in 6th grade in Bad Axe. I have so many memories of him. We all loved him to pieces. We will miss you Mr. Stoeri.
Bill Stutesman
July 14, 2021
Dave and I went to school together from elementary school through high school. Our birthdays were two days apart and we often sat near each other in class because our last names were close alphabetically. In Mrs. Lund´s 4th grade class, we were tested for musical aptitude and Dave got a perfect score. We both played trombone and Dave was usually first chair. I dropped out after 8th grade, but I believe Dave continued through high school along with athletics. I didn´t see Dave often after high school, but I remember him fondly as a kind, gentle man with a great sense of humor. I was blessed to know him, and I am sorry for his family´s loss.
Bill Stutesman
Blain D Russell
July 14, 2021
I have many great memories of Dave growing up in Midland. We were good friends through junior high school and then went our separate ways. I have fond thoughts of Dave when he was raising a brood of ducks, shooting a hunting arrow in town to see how high it would go, getting into trouble with his father, Mr. Stoeri, the principal of Northeast, his granfather and the wonderful smells in his house of italian cooking and going to swim meets to watch his big brother compete. My most poignant memory though has always been when four of us, 12-13 years old boys, rode our bikes north of Gladwin, and camped for a week on the Rifle River. Caught some trout, ate canned beans and sat around the campfire. A real "Stand By Me" event without the body. Dave organized it all. My heart goes out to his family and friends as he was truly one-of-a-kind.
Jim White
July 13, 2021
I loved seeing Dave at the two high school reunions he attended. He was a fun, funny guy and I'm sure he was a great children's entertainer and elementary school teacher. He was a soft spoken student in high school and we shared lots of laughs in the senior classes we shared. I will miss seeing his friendly face at future reunions. RIP Dave.
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