Hank Finn

I wish to thank the Class of 58 Website for letting me borrow this entry. Mr. Loegering, as I said on my profile page, was the one that influenced me the most...to this day:

Loegering, John Richard "Jack" Born January 20, 1920 in Palisade, Minnesota, passed away on February 2, 2008 in Dallas, Texas. Jack served his country valiantly in World War II as a fighter pilot with the United States 8th Army Air Force Fighter Command, 78th Fighter Group, 83rd Fighter Squadron famous for the black and white checkered cowling which distinguished its aircraft. He was shot down on September 18, 1944 flying his P-47 in support of Operation Market Garden, also known as the battle of The Bridge Too Far, was captured by German forces and held as a POW in German Stalag 6-J until liberation by American troops on April 29, 1945. First Lieutenant Loegering was awarded a Purple Heart in connection with his injuries sustained on January 18, 1945, and an Air Medal for his meritorious achievements in numerous combat missions over Germany. He married Jean "Mickie" Mather Clark on October 6, 1945 in Wethersfield Connecticut. A lifelong educator, Jack graduated with Honors in History in 1948 from Trinity University in Hartford Connecticut, and later obtained his Masters Degree in History from the University of Minnesota in 1949. For thirty years Jack was a much sought after teacher of History and Humanities courses in the St. Louis Park School High School, a suburb of Minneapolis Minnesota. He served as the Yearbook Advisor, the Chess Coach and Quiz Bowl coach. Based on his path breaking teaching techniques, Jack was named a John Hay Fellow and attended Harvard University in 1963-64 where he further refined his unique classroom methods. He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Jean "Mickie" Loegering, his sons, Scott "Miles" Loegering of Dallas, Texas, Weston Clark Loegering and his wife Janis H. Loegering, of Dallas, Texas, and grandchildren Rebecca Mather Loegering and Warren Samuel Loegering of Dallas, Texas. Jack was preceded in death by his seven brothers and sisters who were all made orphans by the untimely deaths of their parents in 1925 and 1928. A devoted husband, father, teacher, mentor, coach and brother whose wise advice touched hundreds of lives – including many notable graduates of St. Louis Park High School – he will be dearly missed and always remembered. Jack was known for his twinkling blue eyes, tireless mind, boundless curiosity and enthusiasm, his bottomless kindness, his honey bees and bountiful gardens, his beloved geodesic dome home, his ace duck hunting shot, his graceful dancing and love of the outdoors.