Last page update on 15 AUG 2021

David-Gottshall-Bryce Canyon 2016

David B. Gottshall


“Ihr große Lehrer, hört zu beim Reden”  - Bertolt Brecht


The International Community of Great Teachers Practitioners mourns the passing of National Great Teachers Movement Founder David Gottshall in April 2019.  Although physically gone, his cosmic presence and spirit lives on in those people who knew and dearly loved him. 

This page is dedicated to those Great Teachers who conducted, facilitated , and/or provided leadership in the National Great Teachers Movement.

Jane Chieko Uyetake March 28, 2021

Jane Chieko UyetakeJane Chieko Uyetake (66) of Kaneohe, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2021, at Straub Medical Center, surrounded by her family. Jane graduated from Waipahu High School and UH Manoa with a degree in Human Development. She had an accomplished career spanning 40 years helping others successfully advance in their careers, train for jobs, and enrich lives through her work at Hotel Workers Local 5 Apprenticeship Program, Hawaii State Department of Human Resources, and Windward Community College, where she retired in December 2018 with a rank of Professor. She also contributed her talent as a valuable member to the Hawaii National Great Teachers Seminar and as a Wo Learning Champion, mentoring many junior faculty on leadership.

Jane was a devout Christian and attended Hope Chapel Windward Church. With a great smile and loving warm nature, she became a friend to everyone. She always kept in touch with new and old friends through the years. Kind-hearted, fun-loving, she was everyone's BFF.

Jane also loved to spend time with her ohana, especially with her grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, exercising, fishing with her husband, traveling, and visiting with family and friends. She also finished the Honolulu Marathon several times. Her most memorable trip was the Africa safari hunting and riding the hot air balloon over the African savannah with her husband.

Her spirit will live on in the many lives whom she has touched along her outstanding career as an educator, as a devout Christian, as a loving mother, wife, and dear friend.

Jane is survived by her husband Thomas Uyetake, son Reid (Kelli), daughter Kristi (Will) Sitthisay, four grandchildren, brothers Robert (Cynthia) Uyeda and Ray (Karen) Uyeda, sister Connie (Richard) Ma, and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents Robert S. and Nancy F. Uyeda and sister Trudy Arakaki.

Private memorial services were held at Nuuanu Memorial Park.

Arrangements Provided By: Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary LLC

SOURCE: https://obits.staradvertiser.com/2021/07/11/jane-chieko-uyetake-11072021/

Joyce Bender (Alberta, Canada)

BENDERS, Joyce (nee DUBETA) On May 9, 2003, Joyce Ellen Benders (Dubeta) passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. She will be sadly missed by her children Quinn (Nisha) and Jacquie; grand-daughter Anya; sisters Donna and Janis; brother Alan; as well as other caring family members. The family wishes to thank her friends for helping her through this journey, as well as the dedicated medical staff who provided her with hope and comfort. A Celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. at Grant MacEwan College Conference Theater, Room 5-142, Downtown Campus. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Joyce's name to the Cross Cancer Institute or a charity of one's choice. Cremation has taken place. South Side Memorial Chapel, Patterson, Mittelstadt & Justik. 432-1601.


Merilyn Linney (North Carolina)

[Greensboro]  Merilyn N. Linney died peacefully on Friday, October 14, 2011 at her home.  Funeral service will be held Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church with Dr. Steve Pressley officiating.  Merilyn was born in Greensboro on July 20, 1951 to the late Raleigh and Becky Newcomb. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Newcomb and her daughter Julia Moxley. She graduated from Grimsley High School in 1969 and from Campbell University in 1974. She obtained her masters from NC A&T State University. She taught at Guilford Technical Community College for 30 years. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the Great Teachers Retreat.

She was a member of First Baptist Church where she taught second grade Sunday School. She was active in the music program where she played handbells and sang in the choir. Her hobbies included bowling, photography, crafts and spending time with family and friends.

Merilyn is survived by her husband, Daniel A. Linney, Sr.; daughters, Melissa Conlogue and husband Jason, and Maleigh Hightshoe and husband John, all of Charlotte; grandchildren, Taylor, Noah and Leah Conlogue of Charlotte; sister Charlotte N. Barnes and husband Larry of Greensboro, and their children Margaret, Will and Ginny Barnes; step children, Elizabeth Phillips and family of Raleigh, Daniel A. Linney, Jr. and family from Nashville, TN and William Ernest Linney, III and family of Washington, DC and a host of friends.  Donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital in her memory.


James Anthony Webster October 17, 1936 October 19, 2020 (Novato, CA)

James "Jim" Anthony Webster, 84, passed away in his home on October 19, 2020 of natural causes. He was a Novato resident for almost 50 years. Jim was born in San Diego, CA to Antonio and Emma Webster on October 17, 1936.

He was the oldest of five children. His father was in the Navy and was gone much of the time, serving on submarines during World War II and the Korean War. The family moved to Hawaii, where his father was stationed when Jim started high school. Jim loved living in Hawaii. A natural athlete, he played both varsity baseball and basketball and spent as much time at the beach surfing as he could. He also played saxophone and made money playing in a trio. Jim received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Cal Poly State University in 1960 where he also played basketball. He later received his Master of Science from San Francisco State University.

He was a teacher and basketball coach at Las Lomas High school and later at College of Marin, where he served first as Assistant Coach and later as Head Coach. He was chosen as Teacher of the Year at Indian Valley Colleges in 1982. Jim was passionate about teaching and coaching. He loved helping people. He had a big grin and an even bigger heart.

Jim is survived by his sons, Randy Webster and Peter Webster, as well as his daughter, Lisa Williams (Frank). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Frankie Williams, Sidney Williams, Tonya Wessman, and Taylor Wessman. Also surviving are his four siblings: Patricia Guisto, Diane Woods, Raymond Webster, and Bruce Webster. There will be a crypt side service at All Souls Cemetery in Vallejo, CA on Friday, October 30th at 11:00 a.m. Arrangement entrusted to the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo. https://www.TwinChapelsMortuary.com (707) 552-6696

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in Marin Independent Journal on Oct. 27, 2020.


Dr. Carlton Rowe Williams
On March 23, 2017, Dr. Carlton Rowe Williams, 81, a native Kentuckian, bid farewell to his earthly life. He was a people person and an educator; teaching history in both high school and college before going on to become Academic Vice President of three Community Colleges and serving as Interim College President and then President. He also served one year as president of The National Council of Instructional Administrators and eight summers as Seasonal Interpreter Ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina. In that capacity, he manned the Mabry Mill Visitor Center, led nature walks, and entertained visitors at the evening fire circle with stories of the Appalachian people. Even after retirement, for fifteen years he continued to enjoy facilitating Great Teacher Seminars for college faculty and administrators.

Because of his strong Christian faith, he always found a place of service in his church. From late teens on, his love of music drew him to the church choir, either singing or directing. Camping and fishing were his recreation. Whether with his sons or a dear friend, catching fish or not, he loved being on the water, reminiscing and debating the problems of the world. He was a friend to many and will be missed.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret, two sons: Brent (Jewell) of Alpharetta, Ga., and Stuart (Julia) of Centennial, Colo.; five grandchildren: Macon Christopher, Samuel Joseph, Jewell Eden, Anna Grace and Justice Carlton DuBose; one sister, Sharon Shemwell of Central City, Ky.

A celebration of life will be held in the chapel of the First United Methodist Church of Panama City on Friday, March 31, 2017, at 11 a.m. His spirit lives on. Memorial donations will be accepted by The First United Methodist Church, Building Fund, 903 East 4th St., Panama City, FL 32401 and Covenant Hospice, 107 19th St., Panama City, FL 32405.

(Editor’s Note: Carlton was Founder/Lead Facilitator of Rocky Mountain Round-Up of Instructional Administrators (1990-2008), Rocky Mountain Rendezvous of Master Teachers (1992-2007), Kentucky Master Teachers Seminar (2003-2013), Yellowstone Master Teacher Seminar(2006-2013)

SOURCE: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newsherald/obituary.aspx?pid=184708114

 


Vicki Pate (North Carolina)
Karen Ashby (Alberta, Canada)
Roger Garrison (Maine)
Harold Kozuma (Hawaii)
Karen Fujimoto-Lee (Hawaii)


 

Eric "Q" Beckman February 13, 1976 - July 15, 2021

Eric "Q" Beckman, age 45 of Higgins Lake passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021 at his home.  A memorial service will be held 12:00 pm Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Nelson-House Funeral Home with Daniel Segura officiating. The family will receive friends at Nelson-House Funeral Home on Wednesday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Thursday from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm.

Eric was born February 13, 1976 in Owosso, the son of Eugene Beckman and Pamela (Beckman) Butcher.  He graduated from Owosso High School (1994) and went on to earn a Master of Art Degree in applied economics from Central Michigan University in 2002. Eric was an associate professor at Delta College, teaching economics.  Eric was a proud dog dad to P’Ber. Q’s interests are endless but what he loved most was sharing and listening to music, and staying connected to family and friends.

Some of his greatest accomplishments include being in a band (Uncle Skam), TED TALK Live, Polar Plunge for Special Olympics and hosting his Lawn Sports Olympics. He also looked forward to playing Santa Claus and officiating weddings.

Eric is survived by his mother Pam (Dan) Butcher, sisters Janelle (Aaron) Hughes and Brittany Beckman, a niece and three nephews, several aunts, uncles, cousins and other loving family and friends. He was predeceased by his father Eugene "Bud" Beckman and grandparents Eugene and Ella Beckman, and Robert and Patricia Patterson.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Delta College Foundation, noting “gift in remembrance of Eric Q Beckman” in the memo line.  [SOURCE: https://www.nelson-house.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?obId=21713248]