Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Kenneth John Hubner

About

Ethical Culture Fieldston School Garden City High School Bucknell University

Kenneth Hubner Obituary

1936 - 2020
Kenneth John Hubner of Germantown, NY (formerly of New York City), died Sunday, April 12, 2020 from complications of the COVID-19 virus.
Ken was born September 9, 1936 in Garden City, NY. He was a graduate of Garden City High School and Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. He went on to a career as a beloved English Teacher and Dept. Chair at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in the Bronx.
A devoted New Yorker, he and his partner moved full-time to Germantown, NY upon retirement and opened the cherished local bookstore, Main Street Books.
He was a lifelong lover of writing and literature, and was an avid tennis enthusiast.
He is survived by his partner of 60 years, Artist, Stephen Walling; two nieces, Susannah Hubner-Varela and Marilyn J. Hubner and a nephew, James R. Sherwood.
He was predeceased by his brother, Walter F. Hubner and sister, Marilyn R. Sherwood (Hubner) and two beloved dogs, Barney and Jessie.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Apr. 15 to Apr. 16, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Hubner

24 Entries

Norbert Krapf

July 16, 2021

I was a colleague of Ken´s at Long Island Univ and am deeply sad to hear of his passing. I don´t remember when he moved to Fieldston, but that was a loss for us. We often talked about literature, and Katherine and I so enjoyed getting together with him and Steve, sharing some delicious meals, one of which was "beef with nuts and raisins" that we would have later often at home. I remember well Ken´s wry smile. We never got to the bookstore, but that must have been a great place to visit. It made me happy to read all the tributes by his former students - who loved him so much. Ken lives on for those of us who knew him.

Joan Owen Digby

July 14, 2021

Quite by accident I came upon Ken's obituary as I was looking to contact him. We were office mates in the Engish Department at LIU Post 50 years ago. His death came as a shock more than a year later as I recalled summer outings to Jones Beach with Ken and Steve more than half a century ago.

Steve, if you get this, please accept my belated condolences. Ken was a beautiful man and a kind friend. His death is sad news indeed.

Scott Burris

September 1, 2020

I knew Ken near the end of his teaching as a Columbia county friend and neighbor. He and Steve befriended my parents when they ran the Almshouse Inn in Ghent in the 1970s. As a college student hanging out with them over dinners, I thought they were two cool guys with interesting opinions and a happy (if a bit sardonic) approach to life. Over the years, I saw also that that they were loyal, warm and supportive friends who added a lot to my parents' lives.

Julie T Anderson

July 15, 2020

Ken Hubner was an extraordinary English teacher. He had a deep love of literature and a dry, biting wit that we all adored. Class was never boring with Ken. I remember being a first former and running up to Ken in the quad with my friend Anna; we'd make some dopey joke and Ken would just roll his eyes. We knew, though, that Ken was actually amused, he'd just never show it, which made us love him even more. Ken taught me again when I was a senior. In retrospect, it's amazing that he was so good at teaching English to kids of such different ages. I also admired Ken for being openly out at a time when it wasn't easy to be out. Ken had great courage and integrity. He was also a good friend of my mothers and would call her little Glos. He adored Ken as well. My deepest condolences to you, Steve.

Nan Goodman

April 24, 2020

Kenneth Hubner was one of the best teachers I ever had. I will never forget his insights about literature--especially about Faulkner, Fitzgerald, and Hemingway--his encouragement, his razor focus in class, and his wry sense of humor. I still remember a slightly off-color joke he told us in our AP English class, not without asking us to analyze it, of course. I credit him in no small part for helping me become an English professor. May you rest in peace, Ken, and may your name be a blessing.

Amanda Uhry

April 23, 2020

Thank you, Ken, for everything. You were the best teacher I ever had and a true friend for so many years after high school. I know that so many of the kids you taught loved and will never forget you. They say that even when a star dies, it's light will go on forever.

Andrew Alter

April 21, 2020

I remember Ken inviting me to his home to shop his special selection of first editions. He recommended Lorrie Moore's Birds of America. I did not know the author at the time. Now I will think of Ken every time I pick it up.

eden wurmfeld

April 19, 2020

a favorite teacher of mine at fieldston. i took Southern Lit with him and it made a life-long impact on my reading and love of books. You will never be forgotten for your masterful teaching and your fabulous presence and humor at our school. I also was grateful to have an out gay teacher when the culture felt very homophobic. RIP Ken Hubner.

Hannah Marcus

April 19, 2020

Kenneth Hubner was a fantastic teacher and his class at Fieldston was by far the most significant learning experience I had there. There was no better guide for my first encounters with Faulkner, Dostoevsky, D.H. Lawrence, Virginia Woolf - I was 15 then and now I'm 59, but I still keep those books in my mind and heart because of him. Condolences to all who loved and cared for him. His influence lives on more than you may have realized.

Lina Todd

April 18, 2020

I adored Ken. We had a beautiful sympathetic bond between us that can never be replaced. I feel heartbroken. We used to sit on the porch of the bookshop, smoking and drinking coffee, discuss books, film, and have a real Noel Coward banter. Many evenings we would continue on over cocktails and delicious food prepared by Kens wonderful and dear partner, Steve, and just keep delighting each other. It was a real love between us that couldnt be traditionally described, but it was alive as Ken will be to me always. How lucky I was to call him my friend. My deepest sympathies to Steve.

April 18, 2020

Heartbreaking to hear of Ken's passing - I will forever cherish my weekly trips to the book store as a teenager in Germantown with my mother Lina - Ken always had a new photography book put aside for me deepening my love and curiosity for art. I will miss his very honest and intriguing book reviews and always felt I could just be myself around him. Sending so much love to Steve and family. Sonny

Doug Bernstein

April 18, 2020

The artists we love the most are those who make us feel - even though so many others feel the same - that they are speaking directly to us. They are ours. And it's the same with teachers. Ken just seemed to get me and encourage me - with all my teenage immaturity and insecurity - in a way he surely didn't any other student. But clearly that wasn't true. And while we all looked up to him, he made us feel like peers: smart, articulate, sophisticated. Ken may be gone - in a way. But I can summon him any time, and will. My deep condolences to Ken's partner and his family - but also to everyone lucky enough to have been touched by Ken. We've all lost someone very special.

Chris Browne

April 17, 2020

Nineteenth Century American Literature was definitely the 45 minute period to listen up and get real. When I was with him, I never used to mind that it was 8:45am. I always called him Mr. Hubner because I respected him so much.

Lisa Dabek

April 17, 2020

My deepest condolences to Kens partner and whole family. He was an outstanding teacher and influenced so many of us in high school. His Art and Literature class was my favorite. May his legacy live on in all his students.

Elizabeth Cuthbert

April 16, 2020

At Fieldston, Ken inspired me to write a 90-page screenplay. It wasn't that great...but I'll never forget his kind, constructive comments. He was so intelligent, so real. That reality will not die.

Eva Saks

April 16, 2020

I was one of his devoted students at Fieldstone. (Spelling by autofill) He was the greatest English teacher ever. His legacy is eternal. xo

Josephine Ross

April 16, 2020

I studied Absalom, Absalom and The Brothers Karamazov with Ken Hubner in AP English and it changed my life. He was my first gay role model, but more than that, I often felt he was talking to me personally when he taught although I think everyone felt that way. During the semester Mr. Hubner and came to my house where the class celebrated with drinks connected to Portrait of a Lady (British) and Faulkner (Southern) making him the coolest teacher ever. Echoing what others wrote here, he taught me how to read and he opened the door to critical thinking. I'm so glad to find out that he has had a life partner all these years. 60 years! My condolences to you, Stephen.

Louise Firestone

April 16, 2020

Ken Hubner was the most inspiring teacher I had in high school. His gentle nature, patience and keen observation gave me the confidence to write, and made me a life-long reader. My deepest condolences to Stephen and the rest of Ken's family.

LYRIS SCHONHOLZ

April 16, 2020

There is often one teacher you will always remember. For me as a student at Fieldston, that person was Ken Hubner. He taught me how to truly read a novel. A lifelong gift. How fortunate were we that knew him.

April 16, 2020

So saddened to hear of Ken's passing. Ken was my favorite of all at Fieldston. I was so happy when I heard he finally retired and opened up the bookstore that he had spoken of for years. His dream, and Stephen Walling's as well. My deepest of sympathies to Stephen Walling's for his loss. We knew of you but wish we had had the opportunity to meet you. Much love.

Adam Gorgoni

April 15, 2020

Ken was such a wonderful inspiring teacher. I was just thinking of him yesterday. He brought such a combination of rigor and sharp wit and obvious love of literature. I am so sad to hear this. Thank you Ken for helping me grow as an artist and as a person. Love to all his family.

Debra Ruder

April 15, 2020

I was heartbroken to hear this news. Mr. Hubner was one of the best teachers I have ever had. I adored his literature classes and cherished his encouraging comments on my papers. The world is dimmer today without Ken's warm, gentle spirit. Condolences to his family. He will be in our hearts forever.

April 15, 2020

Ken was an inspiring and wonderful teacher who changed my life and helped me to believe in myself as a writer. His legacy lives on in me and many, many others.

nan herron

April 15, 2020

I am so sad to hear that Ken died. I loved him very much as did so many of my classmates. He was so gifted at guiding us to fall in love with literature, and to be passionate in our discussions. He also helped so many of us grow up and support us through difficult moments. His love for us was so strong and he trusted us and took us seriously. He was an amazing role model and I have thought of him often since high school many years ago.

Showing 1 - 24 of 24 results