The Death Of A Good Friend & Fellow Teacher Story

It was an ordinary day.  Opened the newspaper and began leafing through the myriad of pages in today's edition of LNP (Lancaster Newspaper).  Naturally began with page A1 and progressed through the paper until I reached page A11 which is the Obituary page.  There on the far right-hand side of the paper was a familiar face.  

                                       

Not good news at all to see the face of a good friend anywhere in the obit pages.  On top of the color photo was the name Kenneth Neal Barshinger.  I first knew Ken as my gym teacher at Manheim Township High School back in 1960.  Not sure if that was his first year of teaching or not, but he sure looked young when I met him that first week of school in September of 1960.  He was a tough dude who drew your attention just by looking at you.  But, he also had a warm side to him if you needed to talk to someone about a problem you might have been having as a student at good old MTHS.  I eventually ended up teaching next to Ken when I returned to my alma mater in 1967 to teach Industrial Arts.  Ken's color photograph in the morning obit page of the newspaper was in color, but had a rather blurry look to it, so I dug up my old yearbook so you could see a better photograph of Ken.  Ken passed away peacefully at Cornwall Manor this past Monday, February 20, 2023.  He was born May 5, 1936 in Germantown, PA.  He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Nancy as well as his five children and six grandchildren.  Ken was a health and physical eduction teacher at Manheim Township High School for 38 years.  He started the "Blue Streaks" boy's swimming team which he coached for 25 years.  His swimmers appreciated his years of leadership and bestowed the honor of naming the MT Senior High School swimming pool the Ken Barshinger Natatorium upon his retirement.  According to the newspaper, Ken's other interests involved gardening, reading and volunteering at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.  As a student at Manheim Township, I was somewhat afraid of Mr. Barshinger who was a tough looking dude who you wanted to stay on the right side as a student.  He was big and strong, but had the most pleasant and soft voice if you needed Mr. Barshinger for help as a student.  After we both retired from teaching, the retired members of the faculty had breakfast together once a month.  Was always fun to see Ken during those breakfast meals and talk about the "good 'ole days" at MTHS.  I will attend Ken's funeral this coming Friday at the Lititz Moravian Church in Lititz, PA.  I can't imagine how many friends and relatives will be sitting in the pews of the church to honor him one last time.  He was one fine gentleman and teacher!  The next to last paragraph in the newspaper obituary gave you an idea as to how great a guy he really was...it read: In lieu of flowers, those desiring may send contributions in Ken's memory to the charity of their choice.  He was not only a first class teacher, but a first class friend and individual.  He will certainly be missed by everyone who ever knew him.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.