Walter Sobczak Obituary

Name: Memorial Gathering for Walter Sobczak
Start: 2017-01-16T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-01-16T15:30:00.000Z
Location: Holy Family Church

Sobczak, Walter Age 81, January 5, 2017. Beloved husband of the late Marcella, dear father of Ellyce (Warran) Lineton, Christopher and Stephen, Proud grandfather of Lauren and Grant, brother of Patricia (Joseph) Pitts. Memorial gathering at Holy Family Church, 24505 Meadowbrook , Novi Monday January 16, 2017 from 10 a.m. until the funeral Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. Donations in memory of Walter may be made to the Capuchins or Vista Maria.Expressions of sympathy at www.obriensullianfuneralhome.com

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

Published by The Oakland Press from Jan. 10 to Jan. 12, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter Sobczak

Sponsored by theoaklandpress.com.

8 Entries

Lewis Williams

August 30, 2018

Walt was a friend, a neighbor, and a good man. He was passionate in regards to the things about which he cared, yet he was willing to listen to other opinions and he treated others with respect. Laura and I moved into the house across the street from Walt and his wife, and on that first, snowy, spring evening, while settling in, Walt was the first to welcome us to the neighborhood ..... he had a pizza delivered to our house! Over the next 10 years, we became friends. The street, sidewalk, and our homes became regular meeting places to discuss topics of the day, politics, and just to see how each other was doing. After his beloved wife passed, we more regularly went to breakfast one day each week, where we debated the problems of the world, and particularly those of Michigan and metro-Detroit.

The one thing Walt did as much as anything was to touch people's lives in a positive way. The retired school teacher would likely be happy to know that he taught me quite a few things, mostly by the way he was able to debate issues and to listen. We moved to Florida a couple of years ago and visits with my friend dwindled to occasional phone calls. I regret that we won't get one more breakfast together, but am happy that he no longer suffers from the cancer or treatment he endured at the end of his beautiful life. The greatest testament one can leave is the love of those whose lives are touched. We loved you, Walt. God Bless you and your family.

Hannah Donigan

January 16, 2017

Walt was one of the kindest men I have known. He and I were active in a local group of Democrats in West Oakland County. MI. He was a faithful, hard- worker for Democratic candidates and causes. The members regard him highly. On January 16 we met for lunch and agreed he was indeed -- as one friend said- " gentleman and a gentle man." I write: Walt, a dedicated man."

melissa lindridge

January 15, 2017

Two crazy cousins used to laugh about our computer ineptitude. Wally, I can see your big smile as my name once more appears on this page. Now that you're 'up there', I wish you had nudged me to say that my message, which I thought hadn't gone through, was actually flying through cyberspace. I've now figured out the system so I shall finally leave your family, friends and fans in peace. You are so alive in my mind and heart. I look forward to your 'signs' and the laughter they will bring me. You know I also do tears....! me x x

melissa lindridge

January 14, 2017

Wally, the man I used to call my 'forever and always best 'boy' cousin', was, is, and will always be my hero. He was the dispenser of wit and wisdom, a letter writer of note, an adventurer who lived for learning the positive in every experience, no matter how simple or challenging. As an adored husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, teacher, humanitarian, tonic, walking encyclopedia, lover of puns, role model, staunch Democrat, member of the Michigan Electoral College and President Obama's number one fan, picket line protestor and man of all seasons, Wally was the stone which, thrown into a pond, has created the ripples which will positively affect both the present and future generations. A legend in his own time, Wally's great, ever inquiring mind matched the spirit of his inner child who saw wonders everywhere. A man of fierce integrity and humility, Wally dispensed copious love, magic, empathy on whomever he happened to be with. It was impossible , with a cousin like mine, not to be interested from afar in American politics. I used to imagine my being a fly on the wall listening to many political discussions which ended with 'agreeing to disagree'! Because of our living on different continents, Wally and I were prolific users of email. No topic was off-limits and our 'chats', as we called them, were often very deep. My cousin was the person who listened, truly listened. when others 'shut me down.' Wally never gave advice but rather suggested options, some much harder than others. It was often Wally who would 'pick me up' on my very darkest days. My cousin would often tell me were 'so sympatico'. That compliment, from such a great man, meant the world to me. Wally, as he did with everyone, lifted me up as he believed in and encouraged my to develop my potential as a human. Wally opened my eyes to the world, made me feel special, and very, very loved. Lerone, I'm so grateful for your insight into what Wally was like in the classroom. He has to have been everyone's favourite teacher, the one who he is remembered long after the rest have been forgotten. As for your statement regarding my cousin's acceptance of Trump, you truly made me laugh! I can't imagine any of us who were blessed, truly blessed to be a thread in the rich tapestry of Wally's life, ever thinking of him as anything other than "my best, my amazing, my awesome, etc......". Death was a subject of which Wally and I often spoke. I made him promise that he would send me a sign to say "all's well". Wally kept his word and 'his' sign was waiting for me when I opened my eyes on Wednesday morning. Wally and I shared an immense terror of eternity being a lifetime of harp playing by well behaved souls. I giggle each time I think of my adored cousin, sitting with God on a bench made of clouds, coming up with new ideas for removing all hints of dullness in the afterlife. Wally, or Mr teacher- man as I often called you with great affection, I thank you for all the indescribable things you were to me. Even as you grew my heart, you have reduced it by taking a piece to your new world. As I have for years, I'll continue to blow you a kiss at night. In the morning, as you know I've always done, I'll wave to each of you I love and say "Hi, just checking in....!" You so often ended your letters with " Peace, Joy and much love to you my dearest cousin". This time, because no words are more appropriate I'm sending them back to you. Forever and always, me x x

melissa lindridge

January 13, 2017

To you my treasured Pat, to my cousins about whom I've heard so much. Wally was so incredibly proud of each of you. As an adoring dad, granddad and brother he shared your accomplishments. He worried terribly and prayed with great faith when your experiences were difficult. Wally was the best and as a little cousin, who grew up into a big one, I never stopped idolizing him. I know each of you love Wally enough to set him free from his pain, but will miss him desperately. I once read that grief is the gut-wrenching price we pay for love. I so feel for each of you. A legend was our role model. So few in the world have the privilege of saying that. All my love, your cousin in South Africa, melissa

melissa lindridge

January 13, 2017

I used to call you my 'bestest boy cousin ever' because that's what you were, are and will always be. You were the brother I never had, the wit and wisdom I needed when I was most down, and you certainly made me aware of politics in America. You often used to tell me we were so sympatico. How that compliment boosted my sense of self-worth because I knew you never uttered a word you didn't mean. I have often wondered what it must have been like to be a student in your class. I'm immensely grateful to Lerone for the picture he has so vividly painted. I'm sure you would have made lessons so interesting that I would have actually looked forward to going to school. You probably would have been the teacher who also made your subject come alive. I know not a single one of your students would have ended the year without recognizing a pun from a mile away. When I look back on our letter writing, I don't think there were any subjects which were taboo. Our topics changed with our varying circumstances and our 'growing up' in ever different and deeper ways. We spoke freely about your cancer and impending death. I know you saw the huge grin on my face when I realized that that you had sent me 'an all's wonderful' when I woke up just four hours after you left the bondage of your human body. In the hearts of each of us you have temporarily left behind, you will always be a husband, a dad, a granddad, a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, a friend, a teacher, a role model, a confidant, a dispenser of wit, wisdom, kindness, ethics and puns. You fought for your principles and never met a stranger. You dispensed love freely and generously and were also deft at spreading magic. Your mind was that of a man, your heart was that of a child who saw wonder everywhere. You lived your life totally unaware that you were already a legend adored by more people than you could ever have imagined.
Humble to the end, but with a flare of showmanship always, you whole heartedly embraced everything, even your diagnosis of cancer. Ever the adventurer, you always looked forward to what your experiences would teach. Most of all though, you were 'mine', the same 'mine' you will always be to countless numbers. Shared memories from us all would fill volumes, not a single book. Your picture, which I blow a kiss to nightly, is on my closet door. In my life, I miss you desperately. In my soul, I sing with happiness that you are free. To me, you will always be 'simply the best'. I love you soooooooo much Mr Teacherman - another of the names I used to call you. Thank you for being then and now and forever.
melissa xx

Katarina Rinks

January 11, 2017

My dear friend,
You are going to be missed by many, but never forgotten,
I was just a waitress at Moe's on Ten, Walter Sobczak never treat me as a server, he treated me as someone special.
He never spoke bad about anyone (besides Republicans)
In the last 3 months he called me, more often and made sure to tell me how special I was and how much he appreciated our friendship and to thank me for coming to his life.
HE WAS TRULY A GREAT MAN!!!
MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND HIS STUDENTS who he spoke so highly of
REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND

Lerone Wilson

January 10, 2017

Mr. Sobczak was only my teacher for a few months and I honestly can't recall a single thing that I learned from a textbook in his classroom. What he taught me about how to learn, how to think openly, and how to be a decent human being both back then and in the ensuing years have been indispensable however.

I remember when back in 2004 I told him that I wanted to make a documentary film about No Child Left Behind, and how it may negatively impact students like myself who benefitted from the type of unconventional individualized instruction and mentorship that he had given me years earlier. He was ecstatic, but I lamented about what an uphill battle it would be as there was no funding, support, or even equipment for such an endeavor. He didn't doubt that I could do it for a second however, and his confidence was contagious. Over the next few months he and his wife Marcella even sent me $50 checks whenever they could and with that, favors from a multitude of wonderful friends and colleagues, and sheer luck, my first film, No Child Left Behind' premiered on PBS stations about a year later. Needless to say I couldn't have done it without him. In fact, I wouldn't have even had the confidence to think that it was even possible without him.

Mr. S. even appeared in the film himself, saying I look at students in areas where there is poverty and deprivation, and I know from statistics that there are a certain number of geniuses in there and people who can do great things, and we're wasting that. That statement is unfortunately probably as true now as it was then, but I like to think that our little film maybe helped just a bit. He was the type of person who saw every person as the sum of their potential, rather than who they were at any given moment.

One of my favorite pieces of decor in his classroom used to be a poster that he had printed out on the school's old dot matrix printer. I used to gaze at it indefinitely during class while daydreaming about the future. The poster bore the classic Les Brown quote Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you will be among the stars, and was adorned of course with clip art of a rocket ship and some generic looking stars.

When he retired in the late 1990's he gave me that poster and it hung on my wall for at least a decade, until only tatters of it remained many years later. He was the type of person that made you feel like you feel like your life was a rocket ship, blasting off toward some unknown yet amazing destination. The sky was the only conceivable limit, but even that could be negotiated. That poster was a constant reminder of that as I faced numerous challenges over the ensuing years.

Last week I was fortunate to visit him at home. At that point he was bedridden and could barely speak anymore, but one of the last things he said to me was Never give up on the stars my friend.

He also gave me a framed copy of an editorial I wrote for the Detroit Free Press many years ago which I hadn't even known that he had saved. The piece was about how fortunate I was to encounter teachers like him, and how we must preserve an educational system which allows that for years to come.

Mr. S. had children, grandchildren, and hundreds if not thousands of students who can and will eulogize him better than I can. But I just want to make it clear to teachers and aspiring teachers that what you do matters so much. The impact that you have upon students lasts so long, even after they are out of your classrooms. I'm sure that you don't hear it very often, but thank you.

He was a passionate Democrat and campaigned for local candidates until his body would no longer allow it. When I saw him I thought that surely he would be dismayed by the result of the presidential election, but he wasn't. He saw potential in everyone, even the president elect, and he was relentlessly hopeful especially when it came to young people and their ability to build a future that always promised to be far better than the present. He was literally the most kind hearted, good natured, and honorable person that I've known. He will be missed but not forgotten.

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