Todd Clauer

Todd Daniel Clauer was born Feb 2, 1970 to Lois Telepak Clauer and Dr. Daniel Clauer in Heidelberg, Germany. He was raised in Springfield, Ohio, the second of three boys.

Todd was ambitious and independent even in childhood, riding a paper route at age 8 to save up for his own VW Rabbit at age 16.

After proudly graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in engineering, he decided to become a teacher and pursued a Masters in Math Education at the University of Chicago. After a couple of years teaching in public schools outside of KC, he found a home first at the Hyde School in Bath, Maine, and then at the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kansas. He devoted himself to HBHA for 25 years where he served in numerous roles including the High School Principal. Todd loved teaching. He could be tough or could be ridiculously silly, but he always tried to be fair. He threw himself into "becoming his best self" as a creative and impactful educator. He felt strongly about students' character development and worked to create opportunities for growth in and outside of the classroom. Why just learn about equations of motion when you can build trebuchets? Why just learn about Jewish and African-American solidarity during the Civil Rights Movement when you can create social justice partnerships with area schools and develop a Civil Rights Trip through the South?

Todd also helped countless students and families navigate the college process -- always leading with a concern for helping each individual young adult find realistic and exciting opportunities where they could discover their potential. He cherished his relationships with current and former students as well as many fellow educators, who inspired and supported him and became precious lifelong friends.

Before he knew the Yiddish word "beshert," he showed up to his first conversion class in Portland, Maine that happened to be led by Rabbi Harry Sky, brother of Cantor Hyman Sky, Mirra's long-time cantor at Congregation Beth Shalom. From Rabbi Sky he was inspired by our mandates as Jews to pursue justice for all people. That is why he chose Micah as his Hebrew name: "…and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God."

In another "beshert" moment, Todd and Mirra met their freshman year in Ann Arbor. In the 38 years since, they devoted themselves to each other. They were true life partners, and built a beautiful, loving, supportive home for their three children, Haidee, Anna, and Aviva. He was all in as a father – intricately planning family trips, coaching sports, and sharing in all parental and household roles. Mirra and Todd celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this summer with special time alone and trips with friends. He made it to Alaska! And loved that the 49th state to join the union was the 49th that he visited. Hawaii, the 50th, would have been his 50th.

Todd cared immeasurably for his friends and family, his dog Daisy, equality and justice, the environment, beauty in nature, a good challenge, ice cream, and even Winston the cat. Most agree he was the best at Hearts, Trivial Pursuit, making eggplant parmesan, and setting goals and achieving them. To honor his memory, Todd would urge you to be kind and to vote for people who support truth, fight for the planet, and care for those who are less fortunate or marginalized. He'd also urge you to stop spending money on crap and use more of it to support organizations that do good in this world.

I think he'd say, why love somebody if not with your whole heart, and tell them every chance you have?

Todd is survived by his wife Dr. Mirra Klausner; his children Haidee, Anna, and Aviva; his father Dr. Daniel Clauer; mother-in-law Dr. Carla Klausner; brothers Brian and Matthew Clauer; "brother" Dan Filler; sisters-in-law Danielle Klausner, Serena Klausner, Julie Saliba Clauer, and Emily Clauer; his five beloved nieces Ora, Rose, Cecilia and Liana and nephew Oscar; several cherished aunts and uncles, his dog Daisy and cat Winston; countless beloved friends, colleagues, and students who will carry on his legacy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, the Equal Justice Initiative, and environmental/immigrants' rights organizations.