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Joy Youngman posted a condolence
Friday, December 13, 2024
The last time I saw Mel & Barb was in 1988 when we had a family reunion at the Barker camp. I stayed with them in their cottage. Mel took us for a boat ride on Lake Ontario. They also loaned me a car to drive to Watertown, NY to do genealogy research and visit friends. Memories to cherish!
My sympathy and prayers go out for Barb and the family. May God comfort you and give you strength in the days ahead. Love, Cousin Joy (Roushey) Youngman
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Philip Bachers posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
I had Mr. Refer in 1967 for chemistry. I do recall, after reading another post, how Mr. Refer would hand out test results face-up if you passed, or face-down if you didn't. I also recall the mention of assigning 'labels' to your calculations. "Is that calcium, or elephants?" he would ask. I didn't recall how strongly that imprinted until I was teaching drug calculations to paramedic students in the State of Florida college system decades later, and would ask the students the same thing. The crucibles, the triple beam balance, the bunsen burners, the soapstone tables and sinks, using goggles as PPE, the big ''slip stick" (slide rule) at the front of the class, and partnering-up to work on problems, using all of those things.
I recall Mr. Refer would go to the gym sometimes after school and meet some of the other male teachers to play half-court basketball which brought out his fair skin color as he worked up a good sweat during the game.
My condolences to his friends and family. He was someone who gave many people at SCS a good basic foundation in chemistry and taught us the tenets of the scientific principle. His influence has lasted a long time for me, and I have passed on his lessons he taught me in my own professional work as a health-care provider and college professor/administrator. Thank-you Mr. R!
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Doug Plucknette posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
It’s been said that we all have a small handful of teachers who made a positive impact on our lives. I was 18 years old when I found my first.
Starting my senior year of high school I only had one course that I suspected would be a challenge.
Chemistry with Mr Reber.
Friends had told me to expect the course would be difficult but Mr. Reber would find a way to make it fun. “Ole Reeb’s has a great sense of humor; you’ll find yourself laughing each day but pay attention. He’s strict when it comes to meeting his expectations in terms of participation and grading. Listen closely when he says things like, every answer needs a label and and all numerical answers must have three significant figures.”
I was a decent student, lucky in the fact I had made it 11 years without taking a book home and in most cases getting mostly B’s, with an A or C here and there.
On day one I can still hear Mr.Reber saying, “If you think you can pass chemistry without reading what I assign you, without doing your homework, without studying for the quizzes and tests you’re in the wrong class.”
Thankfully, I listened to my friends and was one of a small handful in our class to pass the first quiz. I can remember him passing the quizzes out all the while smiling and saying; “Who remembers what I said about labels? All answers deserve a label! On question one is it 1.24 moles? 1.24 tee shirts? 1.24 goldfish? Is the answer 1.24 correct without a label?
As he passed out the quizzes, those with failing grades were given face down, those with passing grades were face up.
Still smiling, and walking slowly for affect he went on, “Oh I can hear the conversations at dinner tonight! Mom and Dad my chemistry teacher is a jerk! He calls himself the mad rabbit! He thinks he’s funny but he’s sooo unfair! He marked my answer wrong and I got the answer right!”
Mr. Reber’s office was connected to his classroom and he would wait for everyone to be seated before coming out to teach. While we waited I would often imitate different teachers in our school including Mel himself. As I was going one one day he came out smiling and said “You certainly have a talent but it’s time for chemistry.”
The next day as we entered the room he said, “I went home last night and was laughing at your imitations. Can you do a few before we get started today?”
I of course said I would and he began making requests.
“Do Bellini! Do Mr Beyer! Do Doctor Selander!”
As I went one day he he laughed to the point he was bending over and of course so were my classmates. After he made his last request he walked over to his office door and when he opened it, out walked every teacher he had requested me to imitate. Needless to say I was slightly embarrassed and then he said.
“I didn’t do this to embarrass you, I want my colleagues to see your imitation of me! Would you please oblige us?!!
When class ended that day he asked me to stay for a minute. I was expecting to be scolded and sat quietly as the others left. As he walked to me I tried to read his expression and as he took the seat next to me he said; “You have a talent and I want to thank you for the laughs. But that’s not why I asked you to stay. This can be a difficult course and I sense you sometimes don’t take school as seriously as you should. I think you’re very bright and could do far better in school if you worked a bit harder. He asked me about my life outside of school, the sports I played, if I had a job, was I planning on going to college, what I wanted to do for a career.
In nearly 12 years of school, he was the first to ask. The first to care and most important the first to ever say I think you’re bright.
Think about that…
What is the likelihood I wouldn’t work my tail off for this man?
I spent years wondering why he took the time to single me out and give me that pep talk. Then I fell in love with and married a teacher who like Mel understood the impact great teachers can have on their students.
The five minutes he took had a huge impact on my life as a student as an adult and as an engineering consultant. I’m forever grateful for having Mr Reber as a teacher. Rest in peace my friend!
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Don & Leigh Anne Shoultz purchased flowers
Monday, December 9, 2024
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Don & Leigh Anne Shoultz
purchased the Florist's Choice Bouquet and planted a memorial tree for the family of Melvin Reber.
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All our love and prayers to the Reber family. Love,Don & Leigh Anne Shoultz
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Don & Leigh Anne Shoultz planted a tree in memory of Melvin Reber
Monday, December 9, 2024
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All our love and prayers to the Reber family. Love,Don & Leigh Anne Shoultz Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Royce Rogers posted a condolence
Monday, December 9, 2024
Micah 6:8 And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
I was fortunate enough to have Mr. Reber as my high school physics teacher. Not only was he a skilled teacher but he made learning fun. I am also a Roberts Alumnus. I enjoyed meeting Mel and his wife at concerts and other Alumni functions.
Royce Rogers
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Stephanie Grainer posted a condolence
Sunday, December 8, 2024
I never had Mr. Reber for a teacher, but every student knew him. On my first day as a teacher at Merton Williams, in walked Mr. Reber to our faculty room. I asked him what he was doing here. He answered,”I teach here!” Turns out, I was talking to Merl! They looked identical! We had a good laugh!
Stephanie Grainer
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Kevin Russell posted a condolence
Sunday, December 8, 2024
I'm very sorry to hear of Mr. Reber's passing and want to express my sympathies to his family. I was one of his chemistry students in 1965-66 and even though I didn't always "get it" right away, he was great at helping me figure it out. He was a great teacher and a great guy.
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Bonnie Mosher posted a condolence
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Mr. Reber was an awesome teacher. To have only had the years of wisdom when in high school to appreciate someone of his caliber. Deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved him.
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Marcia (Huber) Berg posted a condolence
Saturday, December 7, 2024
I was in one of Mr Reber’s 1971-1972 chemistry classes. He was unforgettable and one of my favorite teachers… always happy, always fun, always kind and caring. His challenging introduction to chemistry made me want to beat it, so even though (or maybe because) it was hard for me, I majored in chemistry in college, then got a masters in chemical engineering and made a career of it. I’ll always be grateful to Mr. Reber for that. Im glad to know that he was still full of life when he died and that he had a long, happy life. I pray he’s happy, well and safe in heaven now.
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Dean Mavis posted a condolence
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Mr. Reber was one of my all-time favorite teachers as I had him for Chemistry in the 1979/1980 school year. He was so much fun, made Chemistry a lot of fun as well, and you could just tell that he loved teaching!! Rest in Peace, Sir!!
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Rich Brazill posted a condolence
Saturday, December 7, 2024
I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. I had Mr. Reber for chemistry in 1974-75 and I loved going to his class! He was an excellent teacher with the ability to explain complex principles in a clear manner, with bits of wisdom and humor sprinkled in. We learned and were entertained at the same time. He was truly a great teacher. May he rest in peace!
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Paula Smith Turpen posted a condolence
Friday, December 6, 2024
Mr Reber was a great chemistry teacher. Best teacher of Avogadros number and the concept of molarity. In addition he was hilarious, made learning fun! May he rest in peace.
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JoAnn Davis posted a condolence
Friday, December 6, 2024
You were the greatest teacher. So appreciated your presence at our 50th reunion for the class o 1966. Test in peace.
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JAMES R KENT posted a condolence
Friday, December 6, 2024
It was my honor to enjoy Melvin as a teacher and a home room funny wonderful guy from 1962 to 1965 at Spencerport high school. When he learned of my enlisting in the Marine Corp if was so supportive of me. After I graduated from Marine Corp boot camp I came home on leave and visited the school. I stood outside his classroom and when he saw me he came running out and gave me a big hug. He was a wonderful man. I last saw him at our 40th High school reunion. He gave me a hug then when he learned that I served in the military for 34 years. That was a great reunion with him.
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Janet Behnke posted a condolence
Friday, December 6, 2024
Mr Reber had a delightful humorous way of challenging us in Chemistry class. Prayers for the family!
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Adrienne Amico posted a condolence
Friday, December 6, 2024
Mr. Reber was one of my favorite teachers and I still have fond memories of his humor ( I graduated in 1978). He certainly lived a full life and is a wonderful role model for those who knew him.
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Janet Lau posted a condolence
Friday, December 6, 2024
My deepest sympathies to Mr Reber's family. I graduated in 1968 from Spencerport. I remember him well. Always a smile and a all around great man and teacher. GOD bless him.
Janet Quetschenbach Lau
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Rick Daltilio posted a condolence
Friday, December 6, 2024
So sorry to hear about your loss. I had Mr. Reber for Chemistry in 11th grade. He was a great teacher & a great guy. He definitely knew how to make us laugh. He took his job seriously & deeply cared for all his students. thank you Mr. Reber. We love you. From your former student 1970/1971 school year. Rick Daltilio.
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Lindsay Lown posted a condolence
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Barb (and family),
I was very shocked to hear the passing of Mel. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May all the wonderful memories throughout the years, comfort you now on your difficult days.
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Judy Wright posted a condolence
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Mel was a delightful colleague of mine for 24 years. May he rest in peace.
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Rick & Lori Rook posted a condolence
Thursday, December 5, 2024
A great teacher who made chemistry interesting with his sense of humor and patience. After discussing the strong & weak nuclear forces, he always ended by saying the strongest force in the universe is love.
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Eunice Reinhold posted a condolence
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Always had a smile and words of wisdom will miss him at campground josh loved his humor Rest in peace Mel love Jim Eunice and Josh
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The family of Melvin Warren Reber uploaded a photo
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
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A Memorial Tree was planted for Melvin Reber
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at Jordan Funeral Home Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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