Blake Aaron LOBDELL

LOBDELL, NELSON, WILSON, WILLIAMSON, MILLER, SHOWALTER, PAULSEN, NICHOLSON, KRASCHELL, MATHIS, THEIN, OTOOL, FEUERBACH, BURN, HANSEN, DEIKE-HASFJORD, KELLOGG, WIECK

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/5/2011 at 18:21:20

Obituary - Blake Aaron Lobdell

Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Monday, September 19, 2011
by Deb Nicklay

Death of Lake teacher leaves 'huge void'
CLEAR LAKE — When Katie KRASCHELL recalled her time as a student in Blake LOBDELL'S physics class at Clear Lake High School, two words came to mind: "cast iron."

"When we were learning about tensile strength in physics class, Mr. LOBDELL would tease about being 'cast iron' in the face of adversity, since cast iron has the greatest tensile strength.

"To this day when I'm faced with a particularly trying situation, the words 'cast iron' provide me with the added motivation to conquer life's next challenges," KRASCHEL said.

Staff and students at Clear Lake are relying on those lessons now.

LOBDELL, 50, died suddenly Sunday. His death, Principal Jay MATHIS said, has left "a huge void" in the lives of those who worked with him, respected him and loved him.

LOBDELL, a Belmond native, taught science and physics at the school since 1986. He was also a past assistant coach in the baseball and football programs.

On Monday, a crisis team was in place to help students and staff cope with the loss.

"He was a passionate educator," said math teacher Doug THEIN, whose classroom was directly across the hall from LOBDELL'S.

As an educator, LOBDELL "valued two things: his students and his class time; mess with either one and you going to have a problem," THEIN said. "He was hard on students and they respected him for it."

Angela O'TOOL, who taught at the high school in 1990s, agreed.

"(He) stood for unwavering, high expectations and everyone profited from this attitude of his," she said.

A. J. FEUERBACH taught next door to LOBDELL.

"He loved his family and was proud of the impact that his wife (Jane) had on children as a secretary at Clear Creek Elementary.

"He loved his boys (Bryce and Colin) and was proud and excited that they were both attending UNI together. He couldn't figure out why they wanted to look into being educators, though.

"I knew why: They had someone that was a great influence on them — their father who was a teacher."

"No matter if a kid had high, medium or low ability, Blake was able to somehow reach each of his students so they found success in his classes," said instructor and friend Frank BURNS.

Fellow science instructor Sherry HANSEN agreed.

"He wanted to have the students succeed, so he expected a lot from them and they, in turn, responded by giving their best efforts," she said.

LOBDELL was well-known not only for his career in the classroom and as an assistant coach, but as an avid bowler, MATHIS said.

"But as much as they knew how much Blake enjoyed sports, students knew that his No. 1 priority was educating students,” said MATHIS.

Former student Roxanne DEIKE-HASFJORD is a para-educator who worked at times in her former teacher's classroom. She said she attended her 20-year reunion this weekend during the All-School Reunion activities and there were many stories about LOBDELL. It was a shock to learn he died.

"Twenty years later he was still being spoken about with deep respect," she said. "It is such a great loss."

KRASCHEL, who graduated in 2002, said she will always be thankful she was one of his students.

"He has been influential in every step of my path," said KRASCHEL said, in her third year of Harvard law school.

"Above all else, he taught students to remember what the important things are in life and how to push yourself through adversity. Mr. LOBDELL'S legacy (is) ... one of fairness, humor and — cast-iron strength."

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Blake Aaron LOBDELL, 50, of 808 7th Ave. N. Clear Lake, Iowa died suddenly Sunday Sept. 18, 2011 at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City, Iowa. Blake was a caring and giving person; he continued that in death through the gift of organ/tissue donation.

Funeral services will be 11:00a.m. Thursday Sept. 22, 2011 at the Clear Lake United Methodist Church, Clear Lake with Rev. Diana HOOVER officiating. Graveside services will be at Belmond Cemetery, Belmond, Iowa. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3:00p.m.-7:00p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake and then one hour before the service at the church. Family suggests memorials to the Blake A. LOBDELL memorial fund to use to establish a scholarship fund.

Blake was born July 19, 1961 in Belmond, Iowa the son of Jack and Shirley (NELSON) LOBDELL. He graduated from Belmond High School in 1979. He participated in cross country and ran the mile in track where he won two conference championships. Throughout high school and college he worked at the P&G Grocery store where he met his future wife. Blake and Jane were married July 27, 1985 in Belmond and just recently celebrated their 26th wedding anniversary.

He started his teaching career in the winter of 1985 at the Klemme School and in 1986 started teaching at Clear Lake High School.

Mr. LOBDELL'S students have all heard the expressions to "Pull yourself up by the bootstraps" or "Such as Life."

Although these "Mr. Lobdellisms" might have been heard with a critical ear, the sincerity behind them was well-founded. Early in Blake's life, the accidental passing of his father brought hardship to a young family, prompting a high school science instructor, Mr. WILSON, to mentor young LOBDELL and guide him to pursue a college education. With this encouragement, Blake literally worked his own way through Central College, graduating with a degree in science education.

While teaching at Klemme High School, Dwight WILLIAMSON, a friend of many students at Clear Lake, encouraged Blake to apply and accept the physics position at Clear Lake High School, where he has been employed the past 25 years.

The process of education was lucid to Mr. LOBDELL. He clearly knew the value of teaching for the full period, that time on task was essential and that students being responsible for their education was paramount; whether it was his students receiving graduate degrees in science or others entering the work force, the value of Mr. LOBDELL'S life lessons weren't always immediately discovered, but their truth at some point would become apparent.

Although Mr. LOBDELL knew the impetus of education was in the classroom, he also saw the value of students' maturity in an athletic arena as he compared essential learning's in the classroom with the important skills in athletics. While serving as a volunteer coach in many venues, he freely gave his time for several years, instructing young baseball players in the fundamentals of the game. Just as he demanded discipline with his student-athletes, he clearly demonstrated the same attribute in his lifetime passion for bowling.

Brother Brett noted the long list of Blake's bowling accomplishments, but the reason for them, however, was always simple: Blake scored innumerable perfect 300 games during practice sessions, focusing on just one specific skill set. It was also this mentality that devised the "LOBDELL Family Bowling Cup," a competition designed to enhance the next generation of LOBDELL bowlers. While other family members attended and cheered, one constant was always Jane, Blake's wife.

True to some, Mr. LOBDELL could be candid and firm, but he found perfect balance with his out-going and personable life-long mate. Their sons, Bryce and Colin, a senior and freshman at UNI, grew up in a home were love, respect and decency were expectations. Blake took great pride in the character of his two sons, just as his father, Jack, would have resonated as well.

Blake was a huge WWII buff and Atlanta Braves fan. He was a member of Clear Lake United Methodist Church; Mason City Bowling Association; Greater Iowa Bowling Association and Mason City Bowlers Hall of Fame.

Blake is survived by his loving wife Jane, Clear Lake, Iowa; two sons Bryce and Colin, Clear Lake, Iowa; sister Kim MILLER, Iowa City, Iowa; two brothers Brett (Sonja) LOBDELL, Belmond and Tracy (Stacy) LOBDELL, Marshalltown; mother-in-law Carol SHOWALTER and special friend Roger PAULSEN, Belmond; brother-in-law Greg (Dennett) SHOWALTER, Belmond and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Jack LOBDELL; mother Shirley NICHOLSON and step-father Eugene NICHOLSON; brother Kurt LOBDELL and father-in-law Rich SHOWALTER.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, Iowa. 641-357-2193. www.colonialchapels.com

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Globe Gazette

Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Thursday, September 22, 2011
by Kirk Hardcastle

Lions will play with heavy hearts
CLEAR LAKE - Logan KELLOGG'S freshman science teacher was Blake LOBDELL.

The Clear Lake senior two-way starter said he learned a lot from LOBDELL, 50, who died Sunday.

"He was a highly productive teacher," KELLOGG recalled. "He liked to get things done and get things done on time.

"He made sure you knew what he was teaching. He didn't like if you were behind in his class and he'd get on you. He definitely beat things in your head."

Clear Lake coach Fred WIECK, whose top-ranked (3A) team plays at Humboldt tonight, said it's been a tough week for the entire community.

LOBDELL'S funeral was held Thursday morning and Wieck said most of the high school students were in attendance.

"It's been a little up in the air," WIECK said of this week's practice. "Things aren't as relaxed as normal. He coached football for 14 years and a lot of the kids were real close to him.

"He was real close to the baseball program and the kids are upset by it and rightly so. He was a good guy and will be sorely missed."

KELLOGG said all the Lions are thinking about LOBDELL and praying for his family.

"It's definitely a tragic thing to have happen in such a small town.

"I think we should be able to play through it and play like we usually do."

Clear Lake (4-0 overall, 2-0 in 3A, District 3) faces a 1-3 Humboldt team that topped Nevada 34-25 last Friday.

WIECK said the coaches have talked about LOBDELL'S death in practice this week.

"Blake was a competitor and I think he'd want them to compete (tonight).

"So were going to go about business as usual, I hope."

Clear Lake won its 36th straight regular season game and 27th straight district contest last Friday with its 42-20 win over Algona.

The Lions jumped to No. 1 in the Associated Press poll with their win and Sioux City's Heelan's loss.

"It's definitely a good thing," KELLOGG said of the lofty ranking. "But it can definitely put a target on your back."

WIECK called it an honor to be ranked atop the Associated Press poll.

"You want to make it stick," the coach said. "You don't to be No. 1 one week and get upset and obviously slide down in the polls.

"We want to keep rolling and want to win the district and this is the next step in seeing if we are the No. 1 team in the district."

Clear Lake (4-0) vs. Humboldt (1-3)

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Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
by Deb Nicklay

Around the world, candles will be lit for Lake teacher

CLEAR LAKE — Although many cannot attend the memorial vigil for him, former students of the late Blake LOBDELL, a Clear Lake High School science instructor who died suddenly Sunday, will light candles anyway.

A Facebook page announcing the vigil was filled with posts from across the U.S. on Tuesday.

Many said they could not attend the Student Council-sponsored vigil scheduled for 8 tonight in front of the high school but that they would light a candle in remembrance anyway. Most posts were from former students.

"One will be lit in Australia," said one. Another said, "One will be lit in Spain."

Others: "San Diego will be lit." "I'll have one burning in Honolulu." "I wish I could (be there) but I am in Alaska. I'll light one here."

Others quickly popped up — St. Louis, Waterloo, Mankato, Minn., Ames, Iowa City, Iowa Falls, San Diego, Seattle and Des Moines among them — all announcing their intentions to light a candle.

LOBDELL, 50, was known as a tough instructor but one who was tough in order to get the most from his students.

"It won't just be Clear Lake, Iowa, that will light up that night," one poster said. "We got lights all over for the remembrance of Mr. LOBDELL."

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2011

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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