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Paul 'Harold Hill' Suerken
"Friends, either you're closing your eyes to a situation you do not wish to acknowledge, or you are not aware of the calibre of disaster indicated by the presence of a pool table in your community."
Regrooving -- The Octet Reunion -- 1990's
Paul 'Olin Mills' Suerken
9 comments:
mourning and aching and remembering and smiling
i love you suerk. always... danielle.
You will be missed, Mr. Suerken. I am glad to know that the passing was painless. Condolences to the great community that loved and cared for him. I hope to attend any services that will be held at the Burg's campus. Your final rest is well deserved.
Patrick Tansor, TMA Class of '96
Driving across the upper midwest last November I programmed Paul's nursing home address into my nav system as I left Chicago, and then hit a three-hour delay. I didn't drive through Erie until 10:30 at night, and so I saluted my friend and advisor from the highway as a soaring Frankie Valley lyric filled the car, with the rest of the Four Seasons doing their three parts. A fitting moment. What a great guy Paul Suerken was. I would probably be pumping gas if not for his support and guidance. Thank you for living a life of selfless service and for laughing all the way.
Love, Beezo
Hi Matt, this is Peter, a neighbor of Paul's. My daughter Rachel and I have been visiting paul weekly since his accident. We were saddened with his passing as displayed in the paper this morning. We had planned on visiting him today. I know he is in a better place, and he is taking the change of scenery all in stride; however, we will miss him dearly.
Beezo again. I should also have added that I sing every day, and I have spent the last 30 years in and around independent schools--from dorm parent to board chair...and again, not without the example of Paul and a small handful of others. I did tell Paul this, but not for many years, and of course regret now that the opportunity to repeat these words to our friend has passed.
My blessings and prayers to the people who have lost this amazing man! One of the best teachers I ever had!
With love,
Crystal Hatfield Miller '94
I am so sad, but I have to say that as I reminisce I can't keep myself from smiling and chuckling out loud. I picture Suerk walking across campus, but then I have to laugh....was that really "walking?" When you walk does your blazer fly behind you?.. and does what is left of your hair blow to the back of your head? I can't say that he ever really "walked" anywhere.
Thank you..thank you for everything that you did for everyone...for caring so much about all of us...and for the laughs..and laughs...
And some day when we meet again, may you give me something more than an 84% on just one paper!!
Lots of love to you Suerk and to Matt for keeping you in our lives for the past few years!
-Maggie Trimbur Schaffer
I cried for Suerk again today. I heard about the reunion in August and I'm stoked. I've read all the posts and I feel badly that I didn't learn how to write nearly as well as so many other Suerk disciples. But what Suerk did for me is help me deal with emotions. I have always been a tough nut to crack but Suerk, I think, prided himself on his ability to handle all comers.
I entered his world knowing I couldn't sing. I left the academy a first tenor, one of Suerk's projects. I smile while I cry today. Suerk continues to help me deal with my crazy emotions. I miss you Suerk and will probably get emotional every time I see the Cleveland Indians logo, or a boston terrier or hear "Four Strong Winds" or think about my responsibilities as a mentor to my children. Suerk taught me about mentors too.
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