Michael Kulha Obituary
Of Bethel Park, age 80, on Friday, August 7, 2009 after a long battle with Alzheimers. Beloved husband of 58 years to Mary (Tassoney) Kulha; loving father of John (Sue) Kulha of Sugarland, TX and Barbara (Dr. John) Watterson of Austin, TX; grandfather of Katie, Andrew, and Colin; brother of Mary Skallos and Joseph (Rose) Kulha; son of the late John M. & Mary (Barkac) Kulha; also survived by nieces, nephews and many friends. Mike loved dancing, traveling, building ship models, outdoors, gardening and visiting his family. He graduated with a Bachelor and Masters degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Mike was a mathematics teacher at Bethel Park School for 36 years and he loved his students dearly. He was a WWII Navy veteran, he served in the Pacific Theatre and he was a member of VFW Post #1810 and PA Association of retired teachers. Friends received Tuesday 1-4 & 6-9 at PAUL HENNEY MEMORIAL CHAPEL 5570 Library Rd., Bethel Park. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday 12 PM at St. Valentine's Church. Interment will follow at National Cemetery of The Alleghenies with full military honors. The family would like to thank the staff at Country Meadows and Odyssey Hospice staff for their love and care they showed Mike through the years.
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Michael A. Kulha: Husband, Father, Teacher
John Kulha
November 9, 2009
On behalf of Mary (Mike's wife), and my sister Barb (Watterson), I thank all of you who have posted remembrances of Mike Kulha. Your recalling of his stories and “Kulha-isms”, his interactions with students, and his influence on your life have been remarkable. We have become reacquainted with these positive facets of his life that had been overshadowed by his battle with Alzheimer's/dementia. Your words have definitely buoyed our spirits over the last three months. Mike would have celebrated his 81st birthday on November 8, and I'm sure there was a celebration going on! Thank you all for your kind thoughts and words.
Mary Kulha, Barb Watterson, John Kulha
Pete Hoysan
August 26, 2009
I wish to extend my condolences to the Kulha family. Mr. Kulha was a great math teacher who had the unique ability to transfer his knowledge of trigonometry and analytical geometry to his students. His humor helped to keep the attention of his students.
I first experienced Mr. Kulha's sense of humor before having him as a teacher when he performed a ventriloquist act with Mr. Blackburn in Telerama.
I also remember Mr. Kulha telling his class about seeing some boys running away from his home with some beer that he had stored in his garage. He said he could not do anything about it at the time, but that he got a good look at their faces and would remember them in the future when they would be students in his class. That may have been the first time I heard him use the expression "some people's kids".
Mr. Kulha was instrumental in starting my engineering career. I still occasionally use trigonometry in my job as a thermal analyst. I also used it at home when designing a railing for the steps to our game room.
BPHS '69
Beverly Spargo Bachri
August 25, 2009
I am another of the students touched by Mr. Kuhla from my highschool years. He was our senior class advisor in 1975 and gave me many a hall pass to cut out early. I also had him for dreaded math classes, which he helped us all enjoy and excel at. Interestingly enough, a number of years ago my daughter was helping a friend deliver the Almanac and it started to pour. Mr. Kuhla invited them on to his porch until the hard rain stopped and nurtured and talked with them. I will never forget this teacher who really loved all of the kids and his job! He made a difference in Bethel Park!
Jenni Elion
August 19, 2009
Mr. Kuhla was one of those rare teachers that truly shapes a student's character and whose effect is felt way beyond the classroom. Given the entries from all over the country and from (some *very*) former students, his reach extends through time and space.
He made math fun, and he made you strive to do your best. I wish I could remember his Valentine's Day missive, "Roses are red, violets are blue" followed by a math equation that plotted to something eerily heart-shaped in polar coordinates.
My deepest condolences to the family. The world is a lesser place without Michael Kuhla.
BPHS '83
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Jim Bush
August 19, 2009
I am in the San Diego County area and just heard through a group on LinkedIn the sad news about Mr. Kuhla's passing. Although I was in his Trig class more than 30 years ago (having graduated in 1974), I still remember his kind demeanor, his extensive knowledge, and his introduction of the class to Chief SOH CAH TOA. I thank his family for sharing him with all of us.
Dave Notton
August 19, 2009
Mr. Kuhla was a truly gifted teacher and a heck of a man. I was a troubled teenager with little direction and he treated me just like everyone else. His children and grandchildren should be comforted to know that he was highly respected and loved by so many people.
David Doman
August 19, 2009
While Bethel Park HS was blessed with a myriad of excellent teachers while I attended it in the mid 1970's, and I had the privlege of having many of them for my classwork, I will always say that Mr Kulha was at or near the top of the list. He made advanced math fun! I recall, just as an example, setting the blinds along the windows that lined the room into mathematically accurate parabolas and hyperbolas (and, as he always pointed out, there is a difference). Mr K was meerly the best math teacher ever. He will be missed by this former student.
jack Waldie
August 17, 2009
Kulha Family,
As I read through the guest book -- there is no doubt that Mr Kulha touched many people and helped form them into what they are today.Mr Kulha did that with me and helped me build a strong foundation in math. The one classic line he had, that I have not seen yet is "what do you call a mathematician with a sunburn" --- a tangent. I still use this on my own children and get the same rolling eyes!
Jack Waldie BPHS 1980
Nadine Kloecker-Dunn
August 15, 2009
Like many others, when I think of my high school days I fondly recall my Trig & Analyt classes with Mr Kulha and his "perfect circles". He touched so many of us with his passion for teaching. I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. May the comfort of friends and family be your strength now and in the days ahead.
With deepest sympathy,
Nadine Kloecker-Dunn BPHS Class of '75
Scott Harper
August 15, 2009
I was so sad to hear about Mr. Kulha. I was out of town during his viewing and was sorry I could not express my sympathy to the family in person. A kind, gentle, funny man and great teacher who loved his students. I never knew math/trig could be so much fun. May God bless his soul and comfort his family.
Scott Harper Class of 1972
Tom Wine (76)
August 14, 2009
Mr. Kuhla had the rare ability to inspire complete TRUST in his students. As a music teacher, I feel blessed to have the opportunity to reach out to students over the course of several years in a subject where they want to contribute. Mr. Kuhla had the gift to touch lives in just one semester…and in a math class! I worked hard to do well in his class – not because I loved trigonometry, but, because he motivated us to take chances and to accept challenges and dare to succeed. Clearly, Mr. Kuhla was teaching much more than math; he was teaching us about life. To his family, please know that this remarkable man has inspired generations of Bethel Park students. We were fortunate to know him.
Chris Heger Cahn
August 13, 2009
Mr. Kulha was simply one of the best teachers I ever had and one of the kindest. I was greatly touched when he came to our high school reunion several years ago. For me, it was wonderful to see him again, to talk to him again and to introduce someone who had been so inspiring to me, to my husband. He will be missed, but he also will continue to inspire all who had the good fortune to know him.
Irene Hoysan Binash
August 12, 2009
Reading all of the tributes in Mr. Kulha's guestbook have brought back so many fond memories. Mine are the same -- of a kind and gentle teacher who really, truly cared about his students' success and put his heart and soul into his life's work. His humor is obviously legendary; it's a wonder we learned at all, but learn we did, thanks to Mr. Kulha and his unique and charming style.
I have a dear friend in Houston who is a math teacher, now beginning her 29th year. I have often shared my favorite 'Kulha-isms' with her. After all these years, she carries the same enthusiasm in her profession as did he. When she tells me about her new and innovative techniques, I often see through her to Mr. Kulha. Teachers like that are of a very special mold.
I always thought is was wonderful that Mr. Kulha's last name ended in "ha!" I bet he is sharing the story of Chief SohCahToa with the angels right now.
And Mrs. Kulha, I know he is smiling down on you, grateful for the devotion and love you have shown him throughout the years, from the good times at all those BPHS proms to the more difficult times of his illness. You are a wonderful role model of the Christian wife. May God bless you and your family with the peace and comfort.
With love,
Renee (Hoysan) Binash
BPHS Class of '75
Robert Brdar
August 12, 2009
Mr. Kuhla was one of the great teachers I had at BPHS.
Although I am an elementary school teacher, each year when we start geometry, and talk about angles and such, I talk about my high school trig teacher who always said he wished he could teach us trig using a pool table.
Moreover, I remember Mr. Kuhla was a strong supporter of the basketball team and was the official scorer/statistician throughout the season. He also emceed our end of the season banquet, where his cheeky wit was on display outside of the classroom.
My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
BPHS Class of '86
Laura Dixon Prisbylla
August 12, 2009
Though I wasn't lucky enough to have had Mr. Kulha myself, he is the single reason my sister (Lynn Ellen Dixon '66) got through required math, and I remember her staying late and going in early for extra help. She remembers many Kulhaisms, but her favorite is "one swell foop!" She sends heartfelt condolences and wanted you to know that just the other day, she was telling someone about him, and has only the fondest memories of him.
Marlene Byars-Moore
August 12, 2009
Mr. Kulha was my algebra teacher in high school. He is one of those teachers that you will never forget and always be thankful for knowing. Kulha family you have lost a giant of a man, and we his students a great friend.
Class of 1968
Mark Kieler
August 12, 2009
Such a wonderful teacher and a great person. I can't find the words to describe what an inspiration he was. He gave all of his energy to create a great academic and social environment for his students.
I've tried to incorporate his brand of gentle humor and pun-ology into my teaching, but my feeble attempts only make me realize how great he was at his craft.
I can best honor his memory by rcalling some of my favorite "Kulha-isms" - Maybe others remember some? I can't say after more than 30 years (Class of '78) that I remember these exactly, but they are close - and the fact that I remember them at all says something about his ability to communicate:
Chief Soh Cah Toa (Sine=Opposite/Hypotneuse, etc...)
Also, his reciprocal cousin Cho Sha Cao
(On the origins of Geometry) "One day a little sapling realized he had grown up and said 'Gee-I'm a Tree.'"
"And this (producing an old Atlantic Richfield ARCO gas station sign from under the desk) is an arccosine."
"Always remember when you hear someone described as an "expert" that the word 'expert' is comprised of two words: 'Ex' meaning 'former' and "spurt" which is 'a little drip'."
(Upon hearing that the rest rooms were closed down) "Gee, I feel sorry for everyone who took Physics today."
(Paper bag over a cone) "And this is the Unknown Conic" (Pun on The Unknown Comic, Murray Langston, who was a frequent guest on the popular Gong Show in the mid - late '70's.)
And last but not least, the ever popular "Jes!" (Yes) You can't really understand why that should be amusing unless you have heard him say it in an enthusiastic confirmation of a student's correct answer. The combination of vocal presence, inflection, and personality made it work.
Jack, Tom, Audrey McElroy
Tom McElroy
August 11, 2009
Mr. Kulha and Mr. Wargo made me an Engineer. Everyday in my work and my Ham radio hobby, I have to pull out some math and make it stick. So often that means thinking about Chief Sohcahtoa and how the Adder snakes can multiply if given a table of logs.
I had Mr. Kuhla for Algebra II in summer school. A proof that he really loved to teach, because it took up most of his summer.
I hope my children will be so lucky as to learn Mathematics from a Man like Mr. Kulha.
BTW does anyone remember his "Rabbit Trick"?
BPHS Class of '78.
Laura Possessky
August 11, 2009
I learned trigonometry, thanks to Mr. Kuhla. Only in hindsight have I come to value his unique ability to bring learning off of the pages with such humor and enthusiasm. He was a gem of a teacher who showed respect for every student, no matter their ability. This was perhaps his greatest lesson of all. My sincere condolences to all of his loved ones.
August 11, 2009
My deepest and most profound condolences to the Kulha family. To say that I was one of Mike's most arduous tasks would be an understatement, but true to form, he taught, helped and touched me like thousands of kids that had the privelege of knowing him. May his family find comfort in knowing that he touched so many lives in so many and wonderful ways.
Dave Schumacher
Class of 1969
Chris Campbell
August 11, 2009
After 50 years (Class of '61) the memory of Mr. Kulha is like a warm glow from my high school years. I know he rests in peace, soothed by the fond memories of the thousands of us he positively influenced.
John Bukowski
August 9, 2009
Mr. Kulha was a great man and a wonderful teacher. I still mention him - and some of his jokes - to my students. He touched the lives of so many Bethel Park students with his teaching, his kindness, and his humor. My condolences to Mr. Kulha's family. (Class of '87)
Kathy (Dickinson) Mulhair
August 9, 2009
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Kulha. He has always been my all-time favorite teacher. His humor and his rapport with his students is what made him so very special. I had him for math and homeroom my senior year (1986). I knew I would miss him and was able to take a picture with him at our prom that I still have and cherish. May he rest in peace. Bethel Park's loss is Heaven's gain.
Cindy (Yaksich) Miller
August 9, 2009
To the family of Mr. Kulha... In this sad time of loss, may you find comfort knowing that thousands of Bethel Park students' lives were infinitely influenced by Mr. Kulha's devotion to teaching. I vividly remember only a handful of teachers from high school, but he was one I will never forget. Humor, a calm and gentle demeanor, and a passion for his vocation were the traits I remember most clearly --especially the humor. In fact, with his passing, "Trig and Analyt" will never be as funny again. I haven't seen him since I graduated 36 years ago, and yet, I can close my eyes and still picture him at the chalkboard as though it was last week. I am saddened just knowing that he is gone from among us and wanted to offer my condolences. From the BPHS Class of '73...
Susy (Harter) Moran
August 9, 2009
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Kuhla's passing. He was one of the best (and funniest!) teachers I have ever had, and more than 20 years later, I still think of him with fondness. To make Trigonometry enjoyable and comprehensible for a bunch of high school kids is quite an accomplishment indeed. Hokey smokes, Mr. Kuhla, may you rest in peace.
Kathleen & Tom & Thomas Flavin
August 9, 2009
Mary, We ask our dear and loving Father to comfort you and your children at this time.
We didn't know Mike for long, but he couldn't have been a more gracious and kind and helpful neighbor. He just stepped in and helped when needed and I'm sure that was his nature. My brother-in-law had him for Math and said he was the best and funniest teacher
Your Broad Street Neighbors
Renee M. Ratkiewicz
August 9, 2009
Our Deepest Sympathy and heart-felt condolences, on your most recent loss of your husband,father,grandfather,and uncle. Not to mention one of the FINEST math teachers...though i did have him for math...i was lucky enough to have him for study hall..in '82 when he sold the prom tickets as well..he was such a pleasure to know!! May "GOD" bless all of you at this most difficult time. Love, and yours truly..Renee M. Ratkiewicz (Class Of '82)
Bethel Park Gold Card Club
August 9, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
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