Contributions to the tribute of John Koegler

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Randy Bauslaugh donated to THE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC

Saturday, September 11, 2021

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Saturday, September 11, 2021

Mr. Koegler was my geography teacher in the early 1970's. A very memorable teacher. A great teacher! He had such an obvious passion and joy for his subject -- and knew just how to share that joy and knowledge with us, his students. But his class gave me something more subtle, more inspirational and more lasting than geography lessons. I am so grateful for his influence in my life. Thank-you Mr. Koegler.

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Carol Van Dyk pledged to donate to Trinity Village Care Centre

Thursday, September 9, 2021

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Daniel and Renata Koegler donated to THE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC

Saturday, September 4, 2021

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Daniel Koegler uploaded photo(s)

Saturday, September 4, 2021

To me, John Koegler was "Uncle John" even though he was actually dad's cousin, and not really my uncle. But as a fresh, grade niner, I was so proud that he always referred to me as "nephew Dan" . I was fortunate enough to have him as my teacher for two senior geography courses at Waterloo Collegiate that included an awesome physical geography course. No one could make weather, climate, glaciation and river formations come alive like John. Hands on work with topographic maps, stereoscopic glasses and air photos, field trips and more. It was so obvious that he enjoyed his interactions with his students, treating each and every one with respect and dignity. That wicked Koegler sense of humour was on display every day. I will admit to having stolen/borrowed many of John's best methodologies when I taught in the same classroom a couple of decades later. I may have even used some of his geographical jokes, in both official languages. When John decided to fully retire from things geographical, he asked me if I was interested in purchasing his company, Geovisuals. Frustrated with trying to acquire representative images of geographic elements while standing on the top of his motor home, he opted to rent flight time out of local airports, and photographed the landscape through an open window.flying tens of thousands kilometres across the Canadian landscape, and producing slides and videos for geographic educators across the country. This was before the days of drones, digitalization and Google Earth. As I worked with the materials that John had created (along with Merl, of course) I was overwhelmingly impressed by the the scope of his work and the attention to detail everything he produced. He was a geographer's geographer! I am aware of so many former students, including me, who were so positively impacted by the passion and dedication he displayed in his role as mentor, teacher, and friend. Thank you, John, for all that you gave us.

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Randy Bauslaugh Posted Sep 11, 2021 at 3:03 PM

Dan, my condolences. When I think of the people I want to emulate both professionally and personally, your uncle is one those people.

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Fred Schlenker donated to THE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC

Friday, September 3, 2021

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Edward Scorgie & Barbara Larke pledged to donate to THE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC

Friday, September 3, 2021

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Nancy Joslin donated to THE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC

Friday, September 3, 2021

Sharon, my deepest sympathies to your family in the passing of your dad. He was an amazing person, second dad to me and a teacher that made a difference in so many lives of students, that he influenced along the way. When I think of your dad, my heart smiles ear to ear.

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Edward Scorgie posted a condolence

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

My tribute to John comes from six decades of association. At first, he was the friendly comforting teacher standing amongst the chaos in the Waterloo Collegiate halls quietly directing students who had no idea where they were going; then, he became my World Regional Geography teacher who helped educate me to many unknown places and let me imagine the possibility of travelling. John inspired six of us to study geography at various universities. Five years later, three of us rooming together in our year at Althouse College and arranged to take John out to the Ali Baba to show our appreciation for his mentorship. In 1975, when a job in the Geography Department came available at WCI , I jumped at the chance to work with John. Sadly for me, this reunion only lasted four months, when John left WCI to become the Geography/Environmental Studies Consultant. I certainly did not feel that I was “up to” filling in for John, but rather that I was the caretaker of the facility he had created. John’s collection of topographic maps was unequaled in the county. In addition, he made hundreds of Canadian air photos so students could see in 3D what the country looked like. There is nothing in the Geography teacher’s world to compare with that “WOW” moment when a student sees for the first time in 3D and the landscape pops off the page. As a Geographer, John helped his students “see” the world. Using his own passion for the beauty and complexity of the earth, he helped students understand the processes that shape the environment ( and yes today’s weather was all part of that). He was an authentic, innovative teacher, mentor, guide, director and arranger, who made life better for everybody that came near him. He had wisdom, which he didn’t preach, but rather demonstrated through his everyday actions and kindness. He showed clearly how to have a rich fulfilled life with Meryl and his family. I am humbled by the privilege I had to have been able to spend so much time with John in so many ways: as his student, as his colleague, and most of all as his friend, in classrooms and dining rooms, and offices and most especially out in the glaciated landscape of Southern Ontario, just being out in the field with him. Thank you John. It was indeed a tremendous honour to share this time and place with you.

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Barbara Larke posted a condolence

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

I first met John after I started work in the Geography Department at WCI in 1984. Although he was no longer a teacher there, he was still very much a force to be reckoned with and his legacy was in evidence in both the Geography Department and in the school. So, my experience was more as the myth and the legend from others until I had the great good fortune to meet the man himself at Geography meetings & breakfasts. What a joy! John was always so full of good humour. He was interested in talking to people, & listening to people & hearing stories about students and life at the school. Of course, I also appreciated his work with Geovisuals, that allowed us to bring the whole panorama of Canada’s geography into our classes and to our students. Geography is about seeing the landscapes around you and John made this easy with his innovative work and constant encouragement. One memory? his ever present hearty laugh. A life well lived. I extend my deepest, heartfelt sympathy to all of John’s family. Barbara Larke

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Joanne & Bill Koegler donated to THE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

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Doug Koch posted a condolence

Monday, August 30, 2021

John was a great teacher and more than any other, he influenced my happy career path. He instilled in me a love of geography and a curiosity for travel. And judging by his obituary his was a life well-lived. He will be greatly missed. Doug Koch

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David & Christina Cornwall donated to THE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC

Monday, August 30, 2021

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John and Joanne Bender donated to THE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC

Monday, August 30, 2021

We have a great respect for John Koegler. He came from a family of accomplished people who were also kind and friendly. John always had a big smile and a hearty laugh. He has touched many lives and will be remembered fondly by his family and the community. We appreciate his love of music. Our condolences go out to your family.

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Barb Cassidy posted a condolence

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Mr. Koegler was the best teacher I ever had. I had him for geography for five years from 1960-1965. He made the subject interesting and I still remember many of the things he taught me. We learned about weather and different cloud formations. I in turn taught them to my granddaughter. It was really cute hearing a three year old explain about cumulonimbus clouds!

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Paul Paleczny posted a condolence

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Your father, grandfather was an all-time favourite teacher of mine. I was in his geography class at WCI in the early 60s. I last met him and his wife Merl in the Foodland Store in Wiarton a few years ago. We had a great chat and he recalled the time when one of my classmates taped a full Playboy fold out on the map of the world that he rolled down at the start of each class. He said "Oh my gosh'" and quickly rolled it back up and turned to face his students. He then smiled and pulled the map down for another peak. He was the greatest with his students, we enjoyed his class along with a lot of good humour. sorry to hear of his passing. He will be ever remembered Paul Paleczny.

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John Shaw posted a condolence

Saturday, August 28, 2021

John Koegler was the head of geography when as a new teacher our paths crossed. He was a very special teacher, colleague and human being. It was clear to me that he saw every student as equally important and he treated them with great respect. Rather than placing so much emphasis on exams ( one day photographs of a student’s progress), he utilized their daily work as a much better measure. He was a true renaissance man talented in so many arenas of life. As vocal director I worked with John on WCI’s many musicales. I also knew John in a social setting. We often conversed about politics and economics. It was clear he had a great love for Canada. He embraced its diversity seeing this as a source of great strength just as it was in the natural world. He was a wonderful father to Doug and Sharon and it was my good fortune to teach both of them. John will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He was a true humanist who sowed his optimism and cheery smile onto all those fortunate enough to know him. John Shaw

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Sue & Jim Riberts pledged to donate to Trinity Village Care Centre

Saturday, August 28, 2021

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Ken Seiling posted a condolence

Friday, August 27, 2021

Started my professional life as a history teacher at WCI in 1971 but also taught geography. John was my department head in geography. If ever there was someone for whom it was fun to work, it was John, Cheery, always smiling, a great sense of humour, loved the kids,loved music, and a great resource for other teachers. Best of all, a friend to everyone. I can still see him smile, chuckle, and light up the conversation. So many students owed a lot to John Koegler. A life well lived. Ken Seiling

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Jamie and Kate Roberts donated to THE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION INC

Friday, August 27, 2021

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The family of John Koegler uploaded a photo

Thursday, August 26, 2021

John Koegler

1926 - 2021