IN MEMORIAM

Harry B. Stehr Jr.

Supervisor of Teacher Education, Emeritus

UC Berkeley

1928 – 2007

Harry B. Stehr Jr. died on September 5, 2007, after a long and brave battle with cancer. He was 79. The son of Martha Marie and Harry Stehr Sr., he was born in Oakland, California, and graduated from Castlemont High School. During World War II, Harry became a member of the Joint Brazilian-United States Military Commission, which assisted in the development of the Brazilian Air Force Weather School. Upon his return to the United States, Harry attended the College of San Francisco, taking an A.A. degree in engineering. He then transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, to complete an A.B. degree with majors in history and mathematics. Later he completed both teaching and administrative credentials before going on to undertake M.A. and Ed.D. degrees in higher education.

 

In the early 1950s Harry began his long distinguished teaching career at San Leandro High School, where he taught social studies and mathematics, and later served as counselor and department chairman. In 1960, because of his exemplary teaching, Harry was invited to join the faculty of the Graduate School of Education at UC Berkeley, where he served as supervisor of teacher education until his retirement in 1992. His long, productive service in the training of student teachers was noteworthy for introducing innovative practices in the teaching of mathematics and social science. He was on the cutting edge of technology, particularly with respect to introducing videocassette recorders and computers into the classroom. He was an inspiring, engaging teacher, much beloved and greatly respected by his many students. His colleagues in the Alameda-Contra Costa Mathematics Educators Association recognized his teaching acumen by granting him their Distinguished Mathematics Educator Award for 1990-91. For two decades, he was involved with the renowned Demonstration Secondary Summer School sponsored by UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education. First as a teacher and later as its principal, Harry led this institution, which served as a model of good practice for the student teachers in training there.

 

Harry involved himself in many community and professional activities. In 1989, he was inducted into Phi Delta Kappa, an honor society in education. For several years he served as its president and in various other capacities and received the Phi Delta Kappa Service Key Award. He was often a presenter and seminar leader at educational conferences in mathematics and social studies. He frequently served on official evaluation teams for Bay Area schools and also acted as a consultant for local schools and colleges on the classroom use of technological media.

 

Harry was a virtual renaissance man. In addition to his broad involvement in many facets of education, he was an avid horseman and breeder of fine horses. He also raised beef cattle, bred dogs, and was a beekeeper with many hives that produced the finest honey. In addition, Harry was an enthusiastic sailor on San Francisco Bay and won several races over the years. One of his greatest nonacademic accomplishments was his work as a builder. His friends claim that Harry could build just about anything; and, indeed, as a licensed contractor, he did build several houses as well as other structures. In his capacity as a Unitarian minister, he officiated at the weddings of dozens of his students and friends.

 

In 1991, Harry married the love of his life, Jane Dee Howden, who taught in the science department at the Town School for Boys in San Francisco. After their retirement from teaching, they enjoyed frequent travels throughout the world—to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia. This passion for travel earned them friends everywhere they went. But the annual highlight for the Stehrs was their October trip to Durango, Colorado, where they boarded the parlor car of the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad with friends and relatives for the train’s last trip of the season. Harry’s favorite destination was their timeshare in Maui, a place of peace and relaxation for both Harry and Dee.

 

Harry is survived by his wife, his sister Ann Wilson of Alameda, her husband, Larry, nephews Chris and Jeff, along with his beloved godson Gary Tuck Ho and family from Singapore. Harry leaves behind many dear friends in the Bay Area, throughout the United States, and around the world. He will be remembered most for seeing the good in people, never the negative. His warm sense of humor, his understanding and care for others endeared him to his students, colleagues, family, and friends. Harry lives on in the acts of goodness he performed and in the hearts of those who cherish his memory.

 

 

Deborah Ruth