Tribute Wall
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Malte Surkau (PH92) posted a condolence
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Mit dieser Kerze möchte ich mein Beileid ausdrücken. Mr. Messer ist mir als Lehrer und Mensch in guter Erinnerung geblieben!
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Diane Hymas posted a condolence
Monday, September 3, 2007
I was shocked just now to learn of the sudden death of Mr. Messer. He was a teacher who loved his subject - math was his passion. In the classrom he brought numbers and formula to life. He was an inspiration to both of my children - Heidi '04 and Eric Dybeck '07. During the course of their K-12 years in the Pitman education system, there are only a few teachers names that are continually recalled in our family conversations. Mr. Messer's is one of them. Truly he was a great teacher and mentor and will be missed dearly.
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Joe Cancglin ('82) posted a condolence
Friday, August 31, 2007
I'll always remember him as an easy going guy. Since graduating, when you see him around he always had a smile and nod for you. Sorry to hear about his passing
J
Jeanne Moore Primack posted a condolence
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Keith will always be remembered by my family and I as the nice , kind, quiet, kid "across the street" My family moved onto "Winding Way" in 1959 across from Ben, Meta, and Keith. My brothers and I grew up with Keith who was hard working and never had anything mean to say about anyone. It is no wonder that he was a great teacher, it seemed to be the perfect occupation for him. He will be greatly missed by the old neighborhood gang but will live on in our memories. Ben , Liz, Taylor, and Krystal are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
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Jerry and Sue Siefring posted a condolence
Monday, August 20, 2007
Dear Liz and Taylor and Ben,
What can we say to help you handle this perectly horrible situation?! Our sons thought of Keith as their favorite uncle and have throughout all these years. They very much looked forward to seeing him at Christmas and always enjoyed the poker games. Evidently he really taught them a thing or two about the game which has come in handy as they have moved on to dorm living. We truly appreciate his generosity - the gifts of Notre Dame jackets, coming all the way to Chicago to celebrate with us for Tony and Myla's wedding, your attendance at Daniel's Eagle Scout Ceremony and your support of Daniel in his theater performances. Things won't be quite right without him. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers for as long as you need strength. Know that we are available to you for whatever you need at any time. You are family and we don't want to lose that.
J
Jennifer Terifay (PHS '88) posted a condolence
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Having Mr. Messer as a teach has stayed with me thru the years. He was a great teacher, and he always seemed to care about us students. He will be missed. His family will be in my family's thoughts here.
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Dorothy H. (Terifay) Daniel posted a condolence
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Mr. Messer has left part of his legacy in this student, not because of his math skills, but rather, his kindness, his sense of humour, and his gentle nature. While being a wonderfully patient teacher, I remember him as being a man with a quiet strength. Always with an encouraging word, he helped us believe that we, too, could accomplish, not only the classwork, but whatever we applied ourselves to conquer. Thank you, Mr. Messer! I can only hope that I can impart a fraction of your gifts to my students' lives.
He will surely be missed here, but all reason assures me that he is now completely embraced by the Divine. I pray his family fully know the complete peace that there is life after life, and that his love for you endures eternally.
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Tim Siefring posted a condolence
Friday, August 17, 2007
I met Keith about 36 years ago when he became interested in my older sister Karen who he dated and later married. We had many fun times together back in the 70s and 80s. Even though I was very bad at it, Keith would take me golfing (whacking he called it) with his friend Jack. He would tell Karen he was bringing "the boy" (that's me). Keith would spend most of his time looking for my errant golf balls or commenting on our shots -
"like an elephant's behind - it's high and it stinks" or "I'm glad I'm not playing behind us". We would drive to golf, or frequently mini-golf,
in Keith's old red Ford Pinto, which surprisingly never broke down or exploded.
We spent many hours lifting weights in my parent's basement; Keith was quite the mini-Ahnold back then.
Keith always had some jokes to tell me and he was very good at telling them. He had a unique sense of humor such as once when we were walking along the ocean, he commented: "Timmy, see how the beach is on the right, so that we don't get lost, remember on the way back it should be on the left". Unlike most Christmas
letters, my wife and I always looked forward to reading Keith's which were very creative and funny.
Keith will be remembered and missed.
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Dean Post (PHS '89) posted a condolence
Friday, August 17, 2007
I was shocked and saddened by the news of Mr. Messer's passing. He was one of my favorite teachers at PHS and I have a lot of fond memories of him and his classes. Teaching with decks of cards, the corny jokes, "advising" our class and our senior trip. He was one of the great teachers that translated his knowledge and sometimes difficult subject matter into everyday examples and "real-world" applications. You'll be missed Mr. M.
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Wendy Cooper and Family posted a condolence
Friday, August 17, 2007
I have known Keith for 35 years both as a fellow teacher (at Paulsboro and Rowan), a parent of 2 of his students, and a friend. Was it really just 4 weeks ago we all sat on my deck and listened to him tell his funny stories and jokes? I could listen and laugh at his stories all night. He taught both my boys and they both thought the world of him. Often they would come home to tell me a "corny Mr. Messer joke or story" The entire family looked forward to getting his Christmas letter. Keith will be dearly missed. His family is in our thoughts and prayers.
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The Hays Family posted a condolence
Friday, August 17, 2007
Although I never had a class with Mr. Messer at Pitman High School, it was apparent that he made a difference in the lives of all of his students. My friends who had Mr. Messer as a teacher were always mentioning the stories and jokes he would tell to his students. They described him as a warm and caring man with a quirky sense of humor.
Looking through past yearbooks from the late 70’s and early 80’s in one of my classes, a few of us talked about the faculty pictures, and joked with Mr. Messer about his so-called “Billy Joel-like” resemblance.
I remember returning victoriously from a small choir competition at Hershey Park with Mrs. Messer and our chamber and madrigal choirs, and Mr. Messer had an elaborate announcement on the loud speaker about how we’d beaten choirs from hundred of countries and numerous continents. At our concerts and choral functions over the years, we all saw how close the Messer’s were, and how much they cared for their students, friends, and family.
My family and I would like to send our condolences to the friends and family of Keith Messer, and let them know that you remain in our thoughts during this difficult time.
-Julia Hays & Family
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PauL Geitz posted a condolence
Friday, August 17, 2007
He was a good man. I will never forget him.
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Minter family posted a condolence
Friday, August 17, 2007
Mrs. Messer and family - Please accept our deepest sympathies. Joel and Tara remember Mr. Messer as a great teacher and I (Cyndee) will never forget his enthusiasm at back-to-school night. I could never imagine being so excited over math! I was so pleased that my children were being taught by him. Rebecca and I are so sorry that she will not get the chance to have him as a teacher. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
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Eileen & Stanley Wainwright posted a condolence
Friday, August 17, 2007
you'll be greatly missed but always in our heart.
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Kathy Baldino posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Dear Liz,
I was so sorry to hear of Keith's untimely death. Although I did not know him very well he always smiled and said "Hello" when I saw him at school. He seemed a gentle man who loved teaching.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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S posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
I had Mr. Messer as a teacher back in 1988 and 1989. He always stood out as an exceptional teacher and a terrific person in general. I was very saddened to hear about his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
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Amber Broger posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Mr. Messer will be in my prayers, as will the rest of the family. He was an awesome teacher and will be missed by the many students he taught over the years. Rest in Peace.
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Becky Rule posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
How blessed we are to have had Mr. Messer touch our daughter's life! Nancy genuinely loved him.There are so many "Mr. Messer" stories that Nancy tells with a grin, and an "Oh, that Mr. Messer"
!" Like the stories about the "corny" jokes he told, or the time he showed
The Graduate after a particularly tough calc exam. In fact, Nancy and Dan Lovelace watched the video last night in Mr. Messer's honor.I'd bet Keith Messer was looking down from above as they watched, and he heard Nance say "Oh, that Mr. Messer!" It was said last night with a tear of sorrow and love, but I'm sure Mr. Messer didn't see the sadness,but only saw the love in the grin that he was so familiar with. Our prayers go out to
your family.
Becky & Rich Rule
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Dirk & Karen McNeely posted a condolence
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
We will forever be grateful for Keith's love of math that inspired our children. What a great loss to our community! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
125 Pitman Avenue
Pitman, NJ 08071
Phone: (856) 589-6308