Harold C. Strobel

My previous commentary says it all really but I appreciate the reminder and opportunity to highlight my unique positive experience with this extraordinary man. His memory and influence have not faded in the 50+ years since it was my privilege to be among his students.

Mr. Strobel was one of the most influential teachers in my life. I will always remember our "Breakfast Club" in HR 109; me, Patrick Davis, Jody Gislason, Dorie Kellog and some others. We were all there at about 0530 each day, along with Mr. Strobel getting ready to make the best day for every student. I'm sorry I didn't see Harold before he died. I don't think that anyone can replace Harold Strobel.

As a "syncopated" young person in the 60's, moving to my own beat, I spent my junior high and senior high years at Southwest in a general state of anxious boredom.

There was just ONE teacher that recognized and appreciated the rhythm of my experience and gave me the respect, environment and motivation to excel. Suddenly, I was an A student caught up in the humor, intelligence and mission of Harold Strobel.

Mr. Strobel passed out brand new textbooks dealing with an entirely new view of the living world: ECOLOGY. I guess we have to include prescience in Mr Strobel's pallet of intellectual colors.

My most memorable quote resulted from an incorrect response I gave that, on reflection, Mr. Strobel considered to be ambiguous: "John, this question appears to discriminate against intelligence" It doesn't get any better than that.

Through an extraordinary "Moibian" twist of fate my oldest son, Jeff, had the good fortune to have Mr. Strobel at Washburn HS. His experience was remarkably similar to mine.

Apparently, true excellence knows no bounds and is unrelentingly consistent. I am, obviously, eternally grateful to have had the privilege of this man's enduring influence.

Virginia and girls - I was so sorry to hear about cousin Harry's death! I wish I could have been there to personally send my condolences. He was always SO kind to my parents, Uncle Heinie and Aunt Helen. They loved him VERY much, and were so proud of him and his accomplishments. My sincere sympathy and warmest regards.

One of my favorite teachers!! Mr. Strobel taught us in a wise and wonderful way. Good memories all the way around. My sympathy to his family.
Terri (Otte) Rogoski SWHS 72

Mr. Stroble was one of a kind. Warm, funny, big heart and a teacher that made you want to come to class. It was clear that he loved teaching and genuinely cared for his students. Ben Reidell, WHS 1991

My sympathies to the Strobel family. I remember Mr. Strobel's class very fondly. He instilled in me a desire to pursue the sciences in college. I'm glad he enjoyed teaching as much as we enjoyed his classes. -Eric Edwardson (SWHS '83)

I was a confused and stupid kid with no sense of self-worth until I landed in Mr. Strobel's biology class. He turned my life around, showing me respect and patience. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Bill Edwards, Class of 65

I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Strobel's passing. He made biology fun and a highlight of high school.
Margaret Overland SW 1980

Our hearts go out to you Virginia, and all of Harry's beloved family. He was such a special person and will be greatly missed but dearly remembered. I am glad we got to know you both better over the years.

Mr Strobel was a standout teacher. Thanks for caring about your students. Thanks for making learning both participatory and fun. WHS class of 1990.

To the Strobel Family

What a lovely book of memories of a life spent teaching and inspiring others.To my friend John who referred to his uncle and family as the wonderful connection he had to family when he moved to Minneapolis from Nebraska. May you all be a source of comfort to each other and find peace in all the wonderful memories of this great man. Many thoughts and prayers go with you.

Mr. Strobel had a kind heart and a real passion for teaching, a rare combination that will be missed.
WHS class of 90

Was a great teacher, took care of his students. He will be missed.

Lynn (Prosser) Essig - Washburn '84

I only knew Mr. Strobel from the summer of 1974 when I participated in the TCITY trip down the Mississippi river(Susan, you were also on that trip). I remember his patience, kindness, and ability to control 30 some teenagers out in the wilderness.

Thoughts and prayers to the family of a great teacher always enjoyed the quality controll.
Bob Lobeck Wahsburn '86

Not only a wonderful teacher, but such a kind, gentle, patient man. Such a gift to all. Robyn (Levenius) Traxler SW '80

Simply one of the best. Always charming and engaging. His ability to make you feel valued and share his joy of life was a rare gift. Thank you Strobel family for sharing him with us. Sherry Farnsworth, Southwest Class of '70

I will always have a spot in my heart for Mr. Strobel.

I loved Mr. Strobel. He was a great teacher and really knew how to connect with kids. My best friend Ellen used to babysit for his girls and was a lab assistant so I would hang out with her in his classroom. I remember he let us keep our Jello salad in the refrigerator -- next to all the specimens. At first it was kind of gross but after a while you got use to it. RIP Mr. Strobel. Mary Hirsch, SW Class of '72

Doug Duden
Clas of '64

It was with great sadness that I read of Mr. Strobel's passing. As a student in his bio class at Southwest I was more inspired then at any other time in my academic life. What a fine teacher and gentleman. His "quality control" jokes will be with me always. Michael Ring. Class of 72

Mr. Strobel was a wonderful teacher w/ a great sense of humor! He & the animals made biology fun!

I have many fond memories of Mr. Strobel's biology class. I can never pass by a gingko tree without thinking of him and his description of gingko seeds. Molly Rummel Majerle SW Class of 78

Mr.Strobel was a wise and kind man, who made your day with his smile. We were so very fortunate to have had him as a teacher.
My thoughts and prayers to you all.

It was a great privilege to have Mr. Strobel as a teacher during my many years as a student at SWHS. His kindness, intellect and tremendous sense of humor served as a great example to all of his students. After learning from him as a biology student, I had the privilege of working with him as a student laboratory assistant during my senior year.... Please accept my condolences for the passing of this wonderful man! We will all miss him very much! HOWARD B. ATKIN, M.D. (Class of 1967). Wayzata, MN

Mr. Strobel was my favorite teacher in high school (Washburn). He was always so patient with me and other crazy kids! He was such a positive person, always looking at the cup half-full, and he taught me by example, so many things. I have missed him for years, and will continue to miss him. I'm so sorry for your family, my prayers and many blessings are with you! Class of 85', Shauna (Stellick) Warson

A very classy person, a terrific teacher and always a friendly face to welcome you at Southwest. Yes, he and a few others at SW could make a day at school an enjoyable event. He will always have my respect. Jeff Reed, Class of '70

We will always love and miss Harry. His smile and wisdom has left an everlasting impression in our hearts. The love he felt towards the kids multiplied and was given right back to him. What a blessing to have known such a wonderful man. With love and prayers, Sheila, Morgan, Austin & Landon Lockwood

Of all the instructors I ever had, from kindergarten through audited courses during my postdoc at Duke, he was the best among very strong competition, as well as being one of the kindest individuals I've ever known. So glad I was able to tell him this in person long ago. His loss dims the sun. (Southwest, Class of 1969)

Dear Virginia, Susan, Sharon and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Harry was one of the kindest people we know. I am so glad we were blessed to share so many memories with him. We love him dearly and will miss him so much, but we are so thankful he will not have to suffer anymore. He fought the battle hard and never complained.
God welcomed home a great man and he will be watching over us now. Blessings and prayers to all of you.
Love and Prayers,
Louie and Myrt

Mr. Strobel was a wonderful person to have in my life, and undoubtedly the lives of all of his students. His "Quality Control" for each day set his positive teaching in motion. Such a great teacher, I began college majoring in biology...
but what I liked best about biology was truly Mr. Strobel's teaching.
Please accept my deepest condolences, and allow me to continue to share his spirit and influence forever.
Joanne Ring (Southwest Class of '76)

I was never any good in biology, but Mr. Strobel would never have let me know it-he just kept trying with his wonderful sense of humor always in tact. He was a kind man, with an enormous impact on so many of us. Rest in peace. Class of 73

Our prayers and thoughts go out to Virginia and the entire Strobel Family.
From Friends at the Wasie Pool.

Oh, Mr. Strobel. One of the best teachers I ever had, and such a lovely human being. He told us that whenever we saw someone making "air quotes" with their fingers, we should realize they were referring to BSCS Green - our biology text book. And I still think of him, every single time.

It was a wonderful experience being taught by Mr. Strobel at Southwest High. He was a kind and thoughtful and thought provoking teacher. Class of 1966.

To Mr. Strobel's Family:

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of your husband and father. I had the privilege of being in his 7:30 a.m. biology class my sophomore year in high school. I remember his good nature and he always had a smile. He was an outstanding instructor.

Donna Wolfe Kreger class of 1969

You were one of the most popular teachers at Southwest and certainly one that left most of us with many positive memories. Thank you for making a differemce in our lives. God bless and keep you. Sandy Goldstein (Miller) 1966

One of those GREAT teachers that inspired you to achieve more with a great enthusiasm for teaching! RIP Rebecca (O'Neal) Davis '84 WHS (Champlin, MN)

An amazingly gifted educator and a great man. Thank you, Mr. Strobel.

I was happy to have known you and grow up next door to you. Thank you for being a teacher and a caring neighbor.

Mr. Strobel loved biology and truly cared about his students. He taught us concepts instead of facts, and I still remember some of his lectures - 45 years later! He often spoke with affection about his beloved daughters.
With deepest sympathy,
Janet Pollock Rivers (SW 66)

It was such an honor to reconnect with Harold and Virginia after meeting several years ago in Eureka, S.D. I truly enjoyed our Sunday dinners (such lovely hosts) and long discussions about anything and everything. Such a kind, wise soul, who will be deeply missed. You were an oasis of gentleness and intelligence. Thanks for the honor of knowing you.

The fact we all remember what he taught us and still talk about it, is a wonderful testament of what a great teacher he was. I wish we had more like him. He will be dearly missed. I am so sorry for your loss.
Cathie Coggin, SWHS Class of 1973

Mr. Strobel was cream of the teaching crop... he was exceedingly kind, he had a great passion for teaching, an endearing sense of humor and he always seemed to be so happy to be in the classroom with his students, which made it downright wonderful to be in the classroom with him. Rest in peace... Heidi (Voels) Dibble WHS Class of 84

One of my favorite teachers. He was a great teacher, I remember his wonderful sense of humor. He made learning fun and interesting. I am sure he will be greatly missed. Suzi LaFrance-Folwick WHS class of 84.

Even though I went to Southwest High School, I knew Mr. Strobel more as one of the teachers for the Twin City Institute summer classes. I have wonderful memories of the 2-week canoe trip down the Mississippi River that he and Mr. Angelar (also of Southwest H.S.) led, I think in'72 as part of an eco-biology class in the Twin City Institute. I most recently saw him, along with his wife Virginia at the Walker Methodist Transitional Care place where my mother is currently staying. My sympathies to you, Virginia. He was a wonderful man.

To the family of Mr. Strobel, my sincere condolences. He was a warm person and one of the few teachers at SW HS who put up with my stupid humor and antics in class. Probably in large part due to his patience and understanding of idiots (!), to this day I still have a profound interest in science. He left his mark even on a student like me. He will be missed. T. Cole, Class of '69

It's been many years since I took biology with Mr. Strobel but he was one of my favorite teachers in high school. I enjoyed all the many projects in his class and he was a warm, caring person. I extend my sympathies to his family and hope your wonderful memories of him will comfort you in the days ahead. Mary (Grossman) Schuman SW Class of 1969.

As everyone else has said, Mr. Strobel was one of the best. He brought his sense of humor into the classroom and made learning easy. Steve Hanson, SWHS 1969

My favorite high school teacher at Washburn! Mr. Strobel challenged me for two years of biology and shared his love of science and critical thought everyday. I still remember discussions we had and have reflected on them many times over my life. He was a fabulous teacher!

Mr. Stroble was one of the good ones, great teacher, nice man. He will be remembered. A Mandel SW66

I remember Mr. Strobel's patience as well as his kindness. I was sometimes squeamish about the labs we did, and he gently helped me through them. I know he'll be missed. Holly Greene Hazan, SW class of 1966

I was always terrible at science, and after nearly fifty years I admit I don't remember Mr. Strobel's biology lessons... but his patience, his kindness and his gentle manner have never been forgotten. Jeanne Krause Kosek, SW Class of '66.

Rest in peace Mr.Strobel, one of my favorite teachers at Southwest, I thought of you this week, I was in your biology class when the announc ement of JFK's assasination came over the speakers. Prayers for your family, Da ve Shefland, Class of 66

Mr. Strobel, You were one of my two favorite teachers at SW. You made science fun and interesting. I have shared stories about your classes many times through my life. To your family,I offer my sympathy and prayers for their loss. Carol Barrett, class of 1973

Mr. Strobel, you were a great teacher and you made the world a better place.
M.J. Johnson, SW class of 66.

rest in peace Mr. Strobel, my biology teacher at Southwest, matter of fact I was in his class when the announcement of JFK's assasination came over the speakers. He was a very good teacher.