Harry A. Iverson

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Bellevue High School Stanford University University of Washington

Harry Iverson Obituary

Harry A. IVERSON Retired teacher, died July 1, 2009, at home after a brave battle with recently diagnosed cancer, at age 75. He taught mathematics from 1956 to 1968 at Sharples Junior High and Franklin High in Seattle and from 1968 to 1988 at Bellevue High School in Bellevue. A native of Minnesota, he received his bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Washington and Stanford University. He is survived by his partner of 29 years, James O. Dean of Seattle; sons, Mark, Bruce, and Eric; brothers, Duane and Ray; and sister Doris, all of Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Lillian, sister LeVonne and brothers, James and Herbert. In accordance with his request, there will be no services. His ashes will be interred in Henning, MN at a later date.

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Published by The Seattle Times from Jul. 12 to Jul. 13, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry Iverson

4 Entries

August 6, 2009

More from the class of 1966, Franklin High School:

I have fond memories of the whole week that Harry drilled into us the
fundamental theory of calculus.... But even better was when we rented
him a tux with shorts to wear for a school assembly. I didn't actually
think he would go through with it, but he did! I admired him for that.
John Owens

Funny how you remember certain people.....the ones that truly touched your
life. Whenever anyone asks me my major in college, I say 'math'; and as I
do the image that comes to my mind is not one from college, but Mr. I.
He'll make a heck of a teacher in heaven. Hope I get him again.

Greg Forsythe

Mr. Iverson was a great teacher. Hard but fair. I learned more about math back in the days, than anyone could have imagined. Especially for a stubborn golfer from Beacon Hill. I am sure Harry
will be remembered and smiled about by many of his students. Bob Siegfried

There's so much about Mr. Iverson that I appreciate - primarily his patience, his sense of humor, and his respect and love of teaching and kids. I'm sure we drove him crazy, but I felt that he genuinely liked each and every one of us. And yes, he's the reason I still love math.

Faye Mar Ogilvie

July 18, 2009

Here are memories of Mr Iverson from Franklin High School's class of 1966:

There are some teachers who really stand out in your memory - Mr Iverson is one of those. I
never liked math until I took algebra from him at Sharples - was it
his teaching, or did I just like algebra? Probably both. I hope he is sitting up in Heaven, reading his guestbook on his heavenly laptop, and knowing how much he meant to us.
Suzanne Petersen Sanderson

I just happened to glance through the obits today in the times and saw
his listed. I had always wondered what happened to him since I
thought he was way too good to be stuck at sharples, where I was lucky
enough to have him for a couple of years. if I'd had him at franklin,
too, I probably wouldn't have dropped out of calculus in 11th grade.
he went on to teach at bellevue hs for about 20 years, it said, and
the little photo of him showed him with a grey beard! he always had
that 5 o'clock shadow, I remember. guess he got tired of shaving it
off all the time. well, I'm sorry he's gone, but thankful he managed
to inculcate some math into my head in spite of all the attendant
difficulties.
Gary Ikeda

Harry was one of my FAVE teachers, both at Sharples and Franklin. I
couldn't believe my luck when he moved to Franklin when I did. He was
a great guy and very inspirational. Between him and Leo Schmalbeck,
they instilled a love of math in me that I still cherish. Remember
when we used to call Harry "Wally Cox" 'cause he looked so much like
him? A great guy, and a great teacher!
Steve Anderson

I had Iverson as a math teacher. He was the best. I really enjoyed
hiis class and teaching style.
Sally LeMay

Boy do I remember him!!!
Ken Alhadeff

thanx for the info on mr iverson....had him in 7th grade...great
teacher..and very nice person.
Wendee Wong Ong

I had Mr. Iverson at Franklin but Mrs. Berg at Sharples. Where's my slide rule?
Jim Walker

Mr. Iverson was a awesome math teacher......................I also did
not like it until I had him as a teacher always took time to explain
one of the few great teachers I had the privilege to be a student of.
Michael Santopolo

I had Mr. Iverson at both Sharples and Franklin. It would appear he
lived a long good life, which a bit of him will live on in all of us
Sharks and Quakers that had the pleasure of knowing him!
Bob Nickinovich

I saw his obit too. I have often described him as my favorite teacher
and as a role model in my own teaching career. In his class, I felt I
could ask any question without feeling stupid. Working problems at
the blackboard could be nerve-wracking, but not in his class. Mr.
Iverson always corrected gently and helped me figure out what to do.
I liked algebra, but never more than when I was in his class.
Susan Yorozu Tripp

I just checked my grad Tolo and next to Mr. Iverson's photo he signed " to a
boy who has never lost his sense of humor nor understood mine." He was a
great guy but I actually did understand his sense of humor. I just never let
him know it!
Don Dahl

I remember him from Sharples, took 1 class from him. I had no math
classes at Franklin that I remember.
Linda Pugmire Weaselhead

Wow Steve brought back some really wild memories when he recalled
Harry's beloved nickname "Wally Cox". But my memories have him not
very happy about the name. In fact he would get very upset when he
heard it. I too had the privilege of having him as a teacher in both
Jr Hi and High School. I put him in the same category as Mr. Carson,
science teacher, at Sharples. Good teachers only come once in awhile
and they were two of my favorites.
Sheron Latham Mozzone

Mr Iverson was a great guy Im sure he was the reason I actually like
math Not to mention I graduated because those were required classes
Later - Sharmie
[Sharmon Auge]

Sorry to hear about his passing. And, yes, he did resemble "Wally Cox". He
was a good teacher - but I still hate math!
Aloha - Coco
[Norma LaRoya]

RIP to a great guy.
John Mahan

I'm just sitting here thinking HOW MANY of just our class have taken the time and effort to scribble a memory of Harry Iverson, because he meant something to them. And then I think about all the years he taught...22 YEARS in Bellevue even after leaving Franklin and Sharples, where we knew him...and I say to myself, "Here is a guy who touched and helped a GAZILLION kids." Thanks, Harry...RIP
Steve Anderson

Steve Anderson

July 17, 2009

Mr. Iverson was one of my favorite teachers. I couldn't believe my luck when he moved from Sharples to Franklin at the same time I did, and I got to have him as a teacher again. Our reunion group from Franklin High has received way more than the usual amount of "memories" of him...he obviously touched and influenced many thousands of lives, in a positive way. Thanks, Harry.

Larry Jassen

July 12, 2009

Mr. I was a memorable math teacher! I was privileged to be his student at both Sharples and Franklin; he was a "no bull" instructor, firm but fair. Rest well, Harry, and don't be too difficult on those celestial beings who don't know a sine from a sign or an angle from an angel. You'll be missed in exponential proportions!

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