MEMORIES THAT STICK - Harbor Day School

HARBOR DAY SCHOOL REFLECTS ON THE PASSING OF TWO BELOVED MEMBERS OF THE HDS FAMILY
BY LESLIE BROCKMAN
WE REMEMBER
JOHN F. MARDER, JR.
FOUNDING HEADMASTER
NOVEMBER 26, 1929 – JANUARY 7, 2012
Harbor Day School grieves the loss of two dedicated and beloved people this year –
Founding Head of School John Marder, Jr. and teacher and Director of Technology
Jeanne Robb. They were integral in developing traditions and curriculum into
what we now appreciate on a daily basis.
For instance, did you know that our current main building
was designed to resemble a ski lodge, complete with
a fireplace to read by? That was one vision of Headmaster
John Marder way back in 1969. Other traditions that he
began include Blue/Gold competition, Turkey Bowl, Grandparents’
Day, the establishing of an endowment fund, Pats
on the Head scholastic recognition, and Hot Dog Day every
Wednesday – the seed of our current Hot Lunch Program.
Also because of John Marder, Harbor Day School has
outdoor education experiences in the Upper School. They
began in 1973 with ski trips to Squaw Valley for the Eighth
Graders, became week-long adventures at Catalina Island
Marine Institute, and then broadened to include the Fifth,
Sixth, and Seventh Grade overnight trips.
In 1978, when Harbor Day School achieved its full
enrollment of 44 students in each grade, Mr. Marder decided
it was time to add a music program for all grades to the curriculum.
Leslie Brockman (current Director of Alumni) was
hired to develop and establish that department. Just a few
years later, Harbor Day School’s Seventh and Eighth graders
began performing full-length operettas and Broadway productions.
John’s 26 years of dedication were for the children;
his legacy is Harbor Day School.
In the fall of 1978, Jeanne Robb began as a Fifth-Grade
teacher, thus inspiring six years of students. When she transitioned
into the technology field, she inspired even more
Upper School students to learn about those “new inventions”
– the Apple II computers. (How timely that the first Macintosh
computer was released in 1984, just when Jeanne began teaching
technology.) Many of these learners were so motivated by Miss
Robb’s enthusiasm and knowledge that they work “in the
business” today and carry on her legacy.
Before the onset of medical problems, Jeanne Robb was
an avid tennis player, an outdoor enthusiast, a folk and country
music fan, and a guitar player. Miss Robb amazed us with
her courage and positive attitude despite all of her health
challenges. Her strong spirit and sense of humor will always
be an inspiration to us, and we will all greatly miss her.
JEANNE ANN ROBB
FIFTH GRADE TEACHER &
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY
MAY 31, 1950 – FEBRUARY 25, 2012
THOUGHTS FROM STAFF AND STUDENTS ON
JOHN MARDER AND JEANNE ROBB
“I’m pretty sure anyone who knew Mr. Marder would say they
learned something valuable from him, and I bet we all learned
something different.” —BRAD THOMPSON, (’83)
“Truly a loss for us all. He pulled my teeth, doled out wisdom, and
kept me on my toes, growing up inside and outside the HDS walls.”
—CHRISTINE GOSTANIAN CAWTHON, (‘90)
“What a loss. It feels like just yesterday we were at the Turkey Bowl
and Mr. Marder was in those classic blue and gold, plaid pants –
always rooting for everyone to do his/her best, always positive,
always teaching us to be better people.”
—HEATHER JACKSON, (‘83)
“It was an honor to follow John Marder as the Headmaster of
Harbor Day School. He was truly an educator of note. I first met
him when he was the president of the 260-member Elementary
Schools Heads Association. He was well-respected by his peers.”
—FORMER HARBOR DAY SCHOOL HEAD OF SCHOOL,
SID DUPONT
“She was an amazing teacher who touched so many students’ lives
with her sense of humor and valuable teaching skills. She will be
greatly missed by many.”
—TARA SIMPSON D’AMBROSIA, (’86) AND CURRENT PARENT
“She was one of a kind and will be missed. I think of her often
as she first taught me Apple II, and now I work for Apple.”
—BRAD ROTHWELL, (’96)
“She provided an Apple II GS foundation in computing that has
carried me personally forward as I built upon said foundation brick
by brick, story by story, making me the technologically savvy man
I am today! Without her foundation, none of that would have
been possible.” —RYAN ACHTERBERG, (‘94)
PAGE 18 BEACON — SPRING 2012