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Andrew SOMMER Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Andrew SOMMER
Maria Holperin Terrell
January 21, 2013
Andy and I started Macalester on the same day in 1976, and became friends almost immediately - who couldn't help but become friends with someone as warm, friendly, caring, funny, and full of life as Andy. One of my favorite memories is sitting in the Grill (it was in the basement of Old Main) on a Friday night, after a night of studying in the library, and translating songs into Spanish. I will never hear "The Best of Your Love" by The Emotions without thinking of Andy and singing our rendition/translation of "El mejor de mi amor." I can only imagine how much his students must have benefited by having had a teacher who brought such a gift for fun and joy into his classroom. My sincere condolences to his partner, family, friends, and colleagues. The world is a better place for having had Andy in it; it is now a sadder place for his loss. Maria Holperin Terrell, Macalester Class of 1980
Dominic Ledesma
December 27, 2012
Sr. Sommer was without a doubt one of WHS's most beloved teachers and his class was, for many, the highlight of our day. Words like “Boooofanda, el rrrrrrrrrrrrefrigerador, ¡TIJERAS!, and despescuezar” are just a few lexemes that will forever be immortalized by his colorful, enthusiastic, and—at times—slightly unconventional teaching style. But among the myriad nouns, verbs, and adjectives that he might be remembered for, there is one verb in particular that will more than likely NOT make the cut.
Even though countless memories resurface from learning awkward sounding false cognates, I will always remember Sr. Sommer for a very special verb that needs no conjugation. “Challenge” is the verb that comes to mind when I think of Sr. Sommer and the impact he has had on his students, colleagues, and WHS as a whole. This verb comes to mind because Sr. Sommer, as an educator and as a kind and gentle individual, challenged us in many ways.
In class, Sr. Sommer challenged us to “get impassioned” as learners even though passion alone was not enough. He challenged us to be creative with the learning process. He encouraged us to find ways to leverage our strengths, inhibitions, and developed/undeveloped talents to make connections between our lives and what we were learning.
Even though Sr. Sommer was a great educator who inspired many of us, he is probably less known for the other ways in which his person challenged us to think about ourselves and each other. He challenged us to step outside of our comfort zone. By this, I do not mean teaching us about empanadas or encouraging us to eat at Acapulco's on Radio Drive. I mean this for the way he took an active interest in creating an inclusive school community for all students. He was a stalwart supporter of diversity and its important place within an educational setting of the 21st century. Only until after significant reflection, do I realize the innumerable ways he helped illuminate and raise awareness about the unique qualities found within our student body. He had a genuine interest in supporting students for who we were and who we were becoming—regardless of our heritage, race, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, sexual orientation, country of origin, or any other factor that contributed to the complexity of our identities. He helped us share our unique qualities because he had a genuine interest and talent for making us feel comfortable and welcomed. For the many ways he challenged us all to be good citizens of the school community, Sr. Sommer shall also be remembered as WHS's greatest humanitarian. He believed that everyone had a right to be respected for who they were; what is more, he was a quiet but fierce defender of the moral obligation everyone else had to uphold and respect that right.
Señor Sommer, we thank you for the many ways you challenged us. Woodbury High School is indebted to you for your outstanding service as an exemplary educator. Your students were all enriched by your sense of compassion as a top notch human being. You will be sadly missed in the hallways but always fondly remembered in our hearts. We love you.
December 26, 2012
I met Andy at Macalester when we were both freshmen. He was a wonderful friend to many , very funny, very bright and always brigthened your day. To Andy's family and his partner Greg, I am very sorry for your loss.
Lynne Nordgren
Janelle Erickson
December 26, 2012
Sr Sommer was special in so many ways. What I loved most about him was that he encouraged people to be different. It wasn't just okay to be weird/funny/nerdy/"random" in his class - it was celebrated. Such a rare thing was surely appreciated by anyone who felt a little outside the mainstream in high school (which, let's face it, was probably everyone). La la la la la la la. We'll miss you. I'm so lucky to have had you as a teacher, and then later, a friend.
Ben Chorlton
December 26, 2012
I was one of Senor Sommer's former students and I do remember him with fond memories. He was a fantastic teacher, confidant and friend to so many. This phrase is used a lot but he truly is 'One in a Million.' People come and go in our lives but some hold a special place in your heart and that was Senor Sommer. I still remember his creative and fun ways of teaching the students different words in Spanish. Learning the word 'fork' always brings a smile to my face.(el tenedor - he would tape 10 plastics forks to the door of his classroom the day we were learning the word. I am sure that brings back some memories for a few that were fortunate to have him as a teacher) This world lost a great man last week and I was so sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts are with Greg and Senor Sommer's entire family. Rest In Peace Senor Sommer...the best teacher I ever had!
Martha Apfelbach
December 26, 2012
Andy, I will always remember your sense of humor and fun times during our years at Macalester College. You are in my thoughts and will be missed. I would like to send my condolences to Greg and the Sommer family.
Jat Humsey
December 26, 2012
My son Ian was devastated by the news of Sr. Sommer's passing. He was Ian's favorite teacher (had his third class with him this year). In my limited interactions with Sr. Sommer at parent-teacher conferences and open houses, I found him to be a delightful man who was obviously very passionate about his teaching and who cared a great deal about his students. He will be sorely missed, and I wish to extend our family's deepest sympathies to his friends and loved ones.
Frau Moran
December 25, 2012
I am one of the many lucky people to consider Andy Sommer a close friend. Working with him at Woodbury High School has been an honor. I've learned so very much from him. My sympathies to his family, friends and students. May we always remember his sense of humor, kindness and love for all people.
Ken Schwartz
December 24, 2012
I went to college with Andy at Macalester. I will always remember his great sense of humor and his silly antics. Many of his close friends used to tease Andy about being a little clumsy. It was not unusual to see Andy almost trip over something or hit his head on a doorway. He was always a great sport though. I always enjoyed seeing Andy when I came to the Twin Cities for my Alumni Board meetings and reunions. Even though I had not seen or talked to Andy in the last 5 years or so, I always considered him one of my better friends. I will always remember the fact that he came to my wedding. I was shocked to hear about Andy's premature death. I will deeply miss him. I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family and partner Greg
Beth-Ann Bloom
December 24, 2012
Mr Sommer was a gift to the entire WHS community. My condolences to his partner and his extended family. Thank you for sharing him with us and our children.
Andrea (Mathers) Johnson
December 24, 2012
I graduated in '98 and Sr Sommer is the reason for some of my best memories from Woodbury High School. Most of all I remember his warmth, exuberance and humor that lit up the classroom and made learning spanish so much more fun. My family and I still dig up old VHS tapes of the silly spanish novela videos my best girlfriends and I made for his class and laugh hysterically each time. I am so sorry for his family's loss.
Justin Rivet
December 23, 2012
I'm so very sad to hear about Mr. Sommer's passing. While I never had him as a teacher (I took French with Madame KN), I remember him very well and I know he was so highly regarded by so many of my classmates (WHS 1998), including myself. He will truly be missed as he was a very bright spot for many in this world.
Janine Hanson
December 23, 2012
I was so sorry to hear of Sr. Sommer's passing. I was a freshman Spanish student during his first year of teaching in 1988, and 20+ years later, he still remembered me. He was "that" teacher -- the one who cared about students, made learning fun, and really listened to young people. I can only imagine the incredible impact he must have made over a career of 24 years of teaching. I would like to extend heart-felt condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.
Jen Blau (Schmidt)
December 23, 2012
My name is Jen Blau (Schmidt). I am one of Mr. Sommers many former students he has had over the years during his time at WHS. I had him my sophmore year of high school during the 1997-1998 school year. I never met a more kind and caring and compassionate teacher than Mr. Sommer. You could tell how much he enjoyed teaching and how much he really cared about each and every one of his students.
He was the kind of teacher that would always try to get to know a little bit more about you, even if you didn't have him as a teacher. I only had him the one school year and didn't get the chance to have him again throughout my junior and senior year at WHS, but any time I would pass by his classroom, I would always make a stop in and say hi or if he saw me first, he would make a point in say hi to me.
He always had some funny and crazy ways of helping his students learn the spanish he was teaching. There was one time I remember when he was teaching the word "nadar" which means in english "to swim". He decided to help us remember this word by getting up on the table at the front of the room and start moving his arms and legs in a motion that he was swimming. It was a great way for me to remember this word. The table though was not very sturdy and it almost broke! But that was one of his many ways of teaching us!
There was another time we had to do a performance/show for the phrase/word "me gusta" which means "I like". He showed us some videos of past students performances of them telling us what they liked in spanish and Mr. Sommer always cracked up even before he showed the video. He would say this part coming up is so funny and he would laugh and the class would laugh because he never got tired of thinking it was funny. Those were just some of the great memories I have of him as a teacher.
While I never stayed in contact with him after I left the high school, I always knew he was still teaching there. My brother just recently had him in the last couple of years too and when my brother asked him if he remembered me, he said he did. WHS has lost not only an amazing teacher, but also a kind, caring, and compassionate friend, coworker, son/family member, and partner. He had a huge impact on all those he knew and loved and got the chance to meet. His presence will be sorely missed. My condolences to all of his family and friends and former students. I hope you can find some peace through this difficult time and know he is at peace now.
Kathy Moen
December 23, 2012
Very sorry for the loss of Senor Sommer. Both of my children were students of his. He was very creative in teaching Spanish and made it fun. Dai de Los Muertos was a projet I'll remember about his class. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Frank Barney
December 23, 2012
Please accept our deepest sympathies. Andrew was well-known at the Olde Fudge Shoppe here in Provincetown where he had many friends.
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