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Mr. Craig Raymond Stettner
Mr. Craig Raymond Stettner
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Craig Stettner Obituary
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Marla Garrison
February 25, 2019
Craig was a dear friend and colleague of seventeen years. He and I worked together on dragonfly projects. He was a champion of the environment and a selfless teacher. I will always cherish time spent in the field with him. He left a beautiful legacy behind in the students he nurtured and the kindness and knowledge he planted.
Amie Connor
February 21, 2019
Craig meant the world to students like me. It was his passion that inspired me and so many others to follow our dreams. He was easily my favorite teacher even though he was more a friend than anything. It's difficult to make students look forward to going to class, but I was excited for every one. He was also the best teacher we could ask for to run the environmental club. Those were some of the best times of my life, and it's all thanks to Craig. He was an incredible person who touched so many lives, and he will be greatly missed.
Robert Summerfelt
January 20, 2019
It is with great regret to receive notice of Craig's death. He was an exceptionally warmhearted individual, always thinking of the needs and interests of the other person. As a graduate teaching assistant, he worked way above what was reasonable expectation to help students in his class. When I queried him about the time he was devoting to his teaching, he said he did it because he would not let anyone fail. As a teacher, he was an mentor beyond the norm but a person that everyone would like to have as a friend. He will leave forever memories that touch my heart. My sympathy to all others who were lucky enough to have shared some time with him.
Robert Summerfelt
January 19, 2019
We are so very sorry to hear about Craigs passing. Please know we are keeping you all close to our hearts. Love From Perry Drake, Lori Lopez and family
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Marianne Kipp
January 19, 2019
Tom, this is Marianne Kipp and I was certainly going to be there this morning. I know Derril would be there for you. I am so sorry for your loss. Your brother sounds like an amazing man and I know hell be missed so much. God bless your whole family. Losing the ones you love is so hard. There just arent any words To take away the hurt.
Marybeth Swanson
January 19, 2019
Craig was a wonderful man and a great mentor to our children while they were in youth group at church. Also so happy he helped my daughters scout troop. Our whole family is saddened by this unexpected event.
Rick Bushman
January 18, 2019
My deepest sympathies go out to the Stettner family. I got to know Craig at Iowa State. He always had a smile on his face and was always willing help classmates and students. He loved to be busy and was a very hard worker. He loved non game fish, especially darters. He was also always happy to share some of his Lou Malnatis pizza that his parents would send him as care packages. He will forever be remembered as a great person, biologist and mentor. My thoughts and prayers go out to all his friends and family.
Becca Cahill
January 18, 2019
I was so sad to hear about Craig's passing. I hope that in your grief you are showered with joyful memories of him. I had Craig as a professor for two classes in 2010/2011. He was my favorite professor at Harper. He was always so smart, humble, kind, and seemed to be able to answer any crazy question I asked him. I went on to become a Park Ranger in recent years and have found myself thinking of him and his passion for biology often. He challenged me in ways that helped me realize how much I was capable of. I feel so lucky to have been able to know him. His family will be in my thoughts.
Annell Bonaguidi Buch
January 17, 2019
Judy, I didn't know Craig as an adult but have fond memories of your boys when we were all young. I am so sorry for your loss but I hope you find some peace knowing what a outstanding human being Craig was. God bless, Judy. Sending you love and hugs. Ron and Annell
Chuck & Linda Van Hyning
January 16, 2019
Our deepest sympathies. While we miss the old neighborhood, well always remember the great, thoughtful, friendly & helpful neighbor we had in Craig.
Our hearts & prayers are with you.
Fran Kusy
January 15, 2019
Dear Judy,
My sincere thoughts & prayers go out to you & your family in the loss of your son Craig. How proud you must be of the man he became.
With Love,
Fran Kusy
Susan McGarry
January 11, 2019
Dear Tom,
My sincere sympathy for the loss of your brother. He sounds much like you in kindness, care and compassion for others. I send my thoughts and prayers to you and your family in hopes that your fondest memories of Craig bring comfort and peace to your hearts.
Sincerely,
Susan McGarry
Ron Dernick
January 10, 2019
I am very sorry for your loss. I hope you can find some consolation in the accomplishments of Graig. He achieved great things for the preservation of nature. my thoughts are with you Tom..and your family
Kyle Simboli
January 10, 2019
If it werent for Craig, I would have given up my hopes of getting my degree a long time ago. After getting kicked out of university for the second time, most people would have accepted the idea that college isnt the only answer. I am not most people, and I have Craig to thank for that. It took one conversation, no longer than five minutes, to encourage me to keep getting up to never waver and to never stop chasing down my dreams. Soon after that short talk, I got my associates at Harper, made my way into the teaching program at ISU, and somehow worked my way onto the Deans list this past semester. Never in a million years did I think I could make Deans list. If I could tell Craig right now, I dont think he would be surprised. He saw something in me nobody else did not even me! He was more than just a friend. Friends come and go. He is an inspiration. He is my hero. All the work he has done is timeless. The thousands of hours he spent in the field are only the tip of the iceberg. Many of the changes hes made are only seedlings that have entire lifetimes ahead of them. I couldnt be more proud to be one of those seedlings.
Thanks, Craig
Margaret Williams
January 8, 2019
Words cannot describe how devastated I am to hear that my favorite Harper College professor and dear friend, Craig Stettner, has passed away. I took three courses with him: Zoology, Man and Environment, and Field Biology (Study Abroad - Costa Rica). I am so lucky to have traveled to Costa Rica a total of three times with him.
Craig was a selfless and loyal man with an incredible passion for the environment. I often describe him as the Jesus Christ for animals to my family and friends. He was such an amazing teacher and taught me SO much not just about animals, but life in general. He taught me that anyone can do anything they set their mind to and to embrace your passions.
Every time, whether its working with animals, observing local wildlife, or capturing its beauty through the lens of my camera, I will think of you. I will always remember and cherish the time my friends and I were fortunate enough to share with you. Your amazing impact on others and the environment will never be forgotten. You are incredibly loved and will be missed by so many. Rest in Peace, eco-warrior.
Tom and Debbie Clarke
January 8, 2019
Sending prayers for Craig's precious family this is so heartbreaking
Donald Baumgartner
January 6, 2019
I am very sorry for the familys loss of Craig Stettner. We will all miss him. Craig and I go back many years, when I met him in 1994 as he was a new Biology instructor at Harper College. In my 30+ years teaching at Harper, I have seen many instructors come and go, and Craig was among the few top instructors in the Biology Department in my opinion. Craig was a great instructor whom I admired and respected. As an Adjunct Faculty, I often saw Craig at Harper working after hours and on weekends when I arrived on campus for classes. That level of dedication is rare in an instructor. It is rare to come across a junior college instructor who obviously enjoyed teaching his students about nature and the environment, and would not hesitate to put in that extra effort. I always enjoyed our short discussions about his bird watching or dragonfly watching. He ran the Harper Environmental Club and of course led the annual to semi-annual Costa Rican class trips. I occasionally observed Craig leading his troops into the Harper marsh, loaded up with hip boots and equipment, for those up close contacts with nature that cannot be appreciated through textbooks. Classroom learning is fine for a foundation, but people really learn by getting out and handling plants and wildlife, and Craig knew this.
I was surprised and sad to hear about his accident. My thoughts of Craig and sympathy for the family go with you. It is sad when a person's life gets cut short and they are unable to live out life to the fullest.
With deepest sympathies, Donald Baumgartner, Medical Entomologist and Harper Adjunct Faculty
Mary Keenan
January 6, 2019
First, I want to express my deepest sympathies to Craigs family. Craig was one of the first and the nicest people I have ever met at Harper 13 years ago. We always said hi to each other, and Craig never forgot my name. I recently spoke to him about the study abroad trip to Costa Rica, and he was so enthusiastic about going with his students. Ill never forget his kind and friendly attitude toward me. I know he loved his work and his students very much. Ill miss seeing him in the halls. Ill never forget him. Thank you Craig for being a good friend.
I will pray for Craigs family that God carries them through their loss.
God Bless you all.
Mary E. Keenan
English Department
Harper College
Jan Drake
January 6, 2019
I knew you through my daughter, Aleia Pennock who was one of your biology students. She learned so much from you about the subject but more than that, appreciating nature,respecting and caring for our environment, and being kind to each other. Thank you for giving so much to your students and to the world. Your spirit will live forever and you will be sorely missed.
Jan Drake Pennock
Anne Marie Peterson
January 5, 2019
Craig will be greatly missed at Harper College Biology Department. He was a positive thoughtful man. He would unlock the door to my classroom when I had many books in my hand, even though I had the key. Craig was encouraging and intuitive. He always had time to listen, answer a question and/or lend a hand.
Patty Meier
January 4, 2019
Craig was the greatest biology teacher ever. His passion and energy to helping the planet could never be matched. Because of him my love for the outdoors grew immensely. He will be missed terribly and my heart goes out this his family and those closest to him.
Cindy Crosby
January 4, 2019
Craig was one of the first instructors I had as a dragonfly monitor. He was generous in sharing his knowledge, and always ready to help me further my learning. I'm grateful to him for making a difference in the way I view and understand the natural world. Craig, you will be missed!
Mary Hood
January 3, 2019
My heartfelt sympathies to Craig's family. A fellow faculty member at Harper, he was always willing to go out of his way help others. He will be greatly missed.
Krystel Garcia
January 3, 2019
Craig was a such a positive role model in his life. Whether it be in his environmental society, at school, or even abroad in Costa Rica he was always kind hearted, devoted to helping others, and most of all loved by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting such an incredible soul.
María Moten
January 3, 2019
In loving memory of a wonderful person. He was a great inspiration to his students and all of the Harper community.
Patricia Walker
January 2, 2019
Craig was the greatest role model I could have hoped for. I feel so grateful to of had him in my life.
Pamela Smith
January 2, 2019
Craig was a dear colleague and will be sorely missed. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Anonymous
January 2, 2019
May God bless you and your family. May you rest in peace
Nancy and John Perdue
January 2, 2019
Our deepest sympathy to the family.
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