Sad Day for MHS Mr. Kriebel has passed away
It is with great sadness that I come to you all today with news that Mr. Kriebel has passed away. I received the bad news this morning. I did not get any details other than he was no longer with us. When I have more details, I will share them with you. For anyone that had Kriebs as a teacher, or as a friend, I'm sure you'll need to take some time and look to the heavens, because he's surely in a better place and no longer suffering...
Send condolences via the online guestbook at
www.pennlive.com/obits/PersonId=88424512
I'm sory to say that Duncan J Kriebel passed away over the memorial day weekend. Visit Pennlive.com and see his obituary on the obituary page.
Dave
I hate to sound mean, but you're like two weeks too late sweetie. :)
Thanks though!
Tree88
Darn you guys!!
Thanks for making me cry!!
I agree that we should try to keep this alive at least for a little bit for folks to share their memories and stories. I learned alot about Kriebs on Wednesday. I thought he was huge already I didn't realize that his presence was so vast!!
Amazing!!
Mares
The comments above by those who were privileged to know J.D.K. reflect not just the depth of feeling we all have but also the impact he had on us as a lover of language. I was struck reading everyone's thoughts that he'd be so proud of the students that he helped produce: thoughtful, caring human beings as well as great lovers of words! Thank you all for your eloquence, it is reassuring to hear his impact speak through you.
I second the reflections on Connie. She was a rock, and a model of compassion. At a time when her own pain must have been unbearable, she allowed so many of us to cry on her shoulder. It is no wonder that they would have loved each other, they were a matched set. I was so moved by her kindness and the generosity of her spirit. Both of them educators through and through, teaching us as much by example as in the classroom.
Chad and David, too, were so kind. All I could think to say was "Thank you for sharing your father with us." It mustn't have been easy to "share" a father whom so many looked to as a father figure.
We left the funeral feeling lost and yet, so blessed. How lucky we all are to have known him, and to have been touched by such a tremendous man.
"Now cracks a noble heart. Good-night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!"
Hamlet 5.2
-Carrie
Perhaps we should keep this thread alive for awhile, I know that there will be stories worth sharing that will come to mind over the coming weeks.
Krieb's legacy was reflected in the hundreds of people who were there to pay their final respects to him! Voices raised in song, laughter, tears, quips, memories, and love, it was an experience I will carry with me until I too pass away.
Connie was a tower of strength, giving comfort to US in spite of her own grief, she's a remarkable woman. Their sons, Chad and David, always willing to share a moment with us to talk about our special moments with their father. When you think about it, they spent almost 40 years sharing their husband and father with thousands of other children, they too deserve our love and respect!
Kriebs lives with us still, he's in the legacy of love and patience and education that we are passing on to our own children, and I think he would have thought that the greatest legacy of all.
John - that was absolutely beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Tree88
Fortunately, I sent this to Kriebs about two years ago. He told me he cried when he read it. What a great guy he was. I will miss him.
Weekly Composition
On a early summer evening, at the end of August, a young couple played baseball with twelve or so younsters. They had just enjoyed a delicious meal of corn-on-the-cob, hamburgers, and salad. Watermelon was being sliced as they played and would be served shortly.
The young man pitched to the children in a manner so they could hit the ball. He knew if they hit the ball, they would truly come to love the game. And many of them did. He loved the game and hoped they would love it as well. Someday, they would teach their children the game of baseball. He was patient and smiling. His wife was nearby and only watched because she would have their second son soon.
Many years passed and I saw him again. In the room at the end of the building. A place I always looked forward to getting to quickly. I would have to wait two more years until he taught my English courses. My brother spoke greatly of him. He was his teacher and his baseball coach. "Pay attention", he told me. He will teach you many things. In my ignorance, I did not remember.
Seven years had passed, and the time had come. It was summer again. He knew more about me than I think I knew of myself. He had chosen me for a project on the school yearbook. I was excited. He gave me more responsibility than I was ready to have, but by quiet encouragement, the task succeeded.
Often, his coat slung on his shoulder, Shakespeare in hand, he captivated the class. In the halls, students with mimeographed sheets of weekly vocabulary words studied not wanting to displease. Students stopping by his room between classes, to guess the quote in spring, that might put there class in the lead for points. Knowledge imbued. Character expressed by the spoken word. Professed by our benefactor.
He was a teacher. Although he taught English, he taught us much more than he will ever realize. His kindness and quick smile always welcomed us. Our troubles melted away when we saw him and he asked of our doings. Ever mindful to make us the center of attention.
It's been many years since I've seen him, but have thought of him often. How old would his boys be now.
Thirty-three years have passed since Duncan Kriebel played ball with the boys of Longfellow and the Varners in August of 1972, but I remember, like it was yesterday.
Your are in my prayers.
Do not be afraid, for I will stand beside you and give testament to the great works you have done.
Yours in friendship.
John G. Ryan
MHS Class of 1981
The Memorial service was incredible. 2 hours worth of people filtered through the funeral home. Every aspect of Kriebs life was covered by those who spoke. Myron McCurty spoke on behalf of the alumni and boy did he do a great job we laughed and cried and shared stories. It was quite incredible and don't worry if you weren't able to make it you were felt in spirit. Mr. Cudworth had a great story that just made you laugh about Kriebs and Shakespearian Insults.
Kriebs was one of the greatest teachers I had at the Milt. He is the only person who could have ever made reading about Shakespeare and the Globe Theater fun, and funny at the same time. I will definitely miss him.
Well this was a bummer as my first read to the site. Out of many things from highschool life that get forgotten, Kriebs was not one of them.
And it will stay that way!
DuJuan '90
Thanks Mary for saying what some of us couldn't say so eloquently. :) I admit that I'm selfish too, but knowing that he is no longer suffering reminds me that we should be happy. And knowing Kriebs, he would want us to smile. Remembering him, he always had a smile on his face. He was the most positive person I think that I've ever met! And remembering when I got caught calling Mr. Hoppel "the Weasel" and Kriebs having to send me to the office to apologize is one of the few funny memories of him. Again, I'm so thankful to have known him.
Tree88
"The Weasel, The Weasel!"
There are no words to express the sadness I feel for Connie and the boys. Seeing Kreibs and Connie together, you could feel the love and adoration they felt for each other. The tears I shed are for my own selfishness. I will miss him dearly, but will hold on to all of the great memories he created for us. Like him yelling, "I'm a milt, I'm a milt" when they made him an honorary alumni. He was so proud of that.
I remember the party we had and we bought him a huge cake that nobody ate. tee hee
He and connie coming to our reunions and pre homecoming parties. and the one he showed up in a Spongebob Squarepants tshirt and a blazer. He was awesome and will serve as inspiration to be better people for many of us.
Kriebs you will truly be missed!! Keep an eye on us, some of us need it more than others!!
My prayers and thought go out to the entire Kriebel family.
I am personally saddened by this news but spiritually lifted. I will not be able to pay my respects on Wednesday as I have Court in Wilkes Barre that day. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and all of us who are feeling this great loss today!
The brightness of the sun has dimmed a little at his passing.
I love you, Kriebs!
very sad news our prayers are with the family and all the lives touched .. blessings , angel
Mr. Kriebel was a wonderful teacher and an even better friend. He will definitely be missed by many, but I'm glad that he is no longer suffering.
We love you!
Tree88
J. Duncan Kriebel, 64, of Hershey, died Saturday, May 26, 2007 at home.
He was born August 11, 1942 in Chester, a son of the late John W. and Julia (Duncan) Kriebel.
Mr. Kriebel was a retired educator with 36 years of service with the Milton Hershey School; a graduate of Valley Forge Military Academy, Lebanon Valley College, and held a masters degree in education from Shippensburg University. He attended the Derry Presbyterian Church in Hershey and was a member and Past Master of Spring Creek Lodge #802 F & AM in Hershey; a member of Schwenkfelter's Heritage Society; an honorary member of the Milton Hershey School Alumni Association; and was inducted into the Milton Hershey School Spartan Hall of Fame in 2006. Duncan was also an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies.
Surviving are his wife, Connie (House) Kriebel; 2 sons, John Duncan Kriebel, Jr. and Chadd David Kriebel, both of Hummelstown; a brother, Dr. Stephen H. Kriebel and his wife, Lela of Forks, WA; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 11 a.m. in the Hoover Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Route #422 and Lucy Avenue, Hershey. Friends may call at the funeral home on Wednesday 1 hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in the Hershey Cemetery at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions be made to the charity of donor's choice.
Send condolences via the online guestbook at
www.pennlive.com/obits/PersonId=88424512
This is truly sad news. There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, May 30 at 11:00 a.m. Friends may pay respects one hour before the service. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to your favorite charity.
This weekend is no longer a holiday for me. He made me a better person. Not a better speller....his test were fun. But he inspired me to be a well rounded person who could talk to the richest person and not look like a fool. May he rest in peace and have a great time up in heaven with Uncle Milt.
Rob 89
I will keep his family in my prayers. He was truly a kind man with a heart of gold.
Rest in pease Kreabs, you were loved by all.