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RFH 2010, Cover Stories, Passings

Updated: Soderberg Calling Hours, Service Announced

Fri, Oct 08, 2010

Updated: Soderberg Calling Hours, Service Announced

Dale L. Soderberg, who died Thursday, is being remembered as an inspirational HCS English teacher of 24 years and one of the people responsible for the school's long history of staging first rate plays and musicals. He was also a former Lutheran minister, a world traveler and prolific author.

Calling hours will be Monday, from 4-7pm at the Newell Fay funeral home at 8171 Cazenovia Rd, Manlius, 682-5300. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday at Good Shephard Lutheran Church at 7248 Highbridge Rd, Fayetteville, 637-9290. There will be a reception at the church from 10-11am with the service to follow.

Hamilton Public Library Director Barb Coger knew Mr. Soderberg, who often read and discussed his books at the library. She said:

"I have heard the sad news and we are all so sorry to hear about his unexpected demise. Dale usually hosted a book reading and signing whenever he had a new book released.

"Dale loved the process of writing and very often incorporated his own personal experiences. At our most recent book reading and signing, he said that if you read his books, you would know alot about him.

"He wrote books about places he and Margie [his wife] had actually been and if you had met his friends and acquaintances, you probably could identify them in his story characters.

"He also said that he had told Margie Baladar would be his last book, as writing was a very time consuming process which left too little time to spend with Margie and family.

"We were always pleased to have Dale host a book reading at our library. Those in attendance almost always were friends or past students who had shared experiences with Dale. He had his own loyal following and we all benefited by the stories we heard."

Mayor Sue McVaugh was a former neighbor of Mr. Soderberg. She said:

"He and his wife, Marge, were our neighbors for some years when we first moved to Hamilton. And their dog Toro! They were delightful people and I am shocked and saddened by this news."

Fond remembrances are also adding up on the Facebook page of Mr. Soderberg, who died in a two-dar collision on Rte. 46 near Munnsville Thursday afternoon.  A woman driving north swerved to avoid a stopped pickup truck, crossed into the opposite lane and struck Mr. Soderberg's car head-on.

Posts to Mr. Soderberg's Facebook wall included:

Christine Watkins  My thoughts and prayers are with the Soderberg Family. Mr. Soderberg was one of the best English Teachers ever to walk the halls of HCS. We dedicated our 1988 yearbook to him, with Green Eggs and Ham. I will never forget his love of Ernest Hemingway and how he passed that love of literature to his student's. He will be missed!

Lori Piper Weerheim  It is a very sad day. What a wonderful teacher who taught me to appreciate Hemmingway. God Bless you. There is a place in Heaven for you my friend!

Anne Mitchell Moselle  It is a sad day for all of us on earth, but I know God has a special place for you, and it's probably right next to Ernest Hemingway... Thank you for all you taught me, and I am a better person because of what you taught me.... you were such an inspiration.....God bless....

Catherine McDonald Kenyon  See how well we all write? We came from Hamilton Central School. We had Dale Soderberg as a teacher at the right time in our lives. His legacy is our ability to put thoughts into written word.

Michael King  RIP Mr. Soderberg, and my condolences to your loved ones. Am glad we were able to reconnect on Facebook. My children enjoyed the emails and Steeler pictures you sent, and how their being youth football Steelers made you smile and brought back memories. I can just imagine the scene in Heaven as you and Hemingway get together!

Rick Paradis  Mr. Soderburg, fortunately we recently friended each other... The bottom line is that you helped me immeasurably, getting me to think outside of my comfort zone. I truly learned a great deal...life lessons and the ability to talk intelligently (sort of) about 20th century American literature.

David Dunham  I am so sad today, but yet feel so fulfilled that you had such an impact on my life, both as a teacher who inspired me and as a Director who believed in me and gave me my wings to fly! Thank you Mr. Soderberg for everything you gave. You will be missed. Because I knew you my life has been changed for good.

Rod Spindler  God's peace, Mr. Soderburg. You touched many and your labors bore much fruit. Your legacy is creativity, camaraderie, entertainment and education. These things live on forever.

Dannielle Spindler Swart  My heart is just breaking. Mr. Soderberg, you taught me so much about creativity in all forms. The best teachers touch our hearts as you did.

Patti Purdy  I will never forget all the amazing slide shows we had in class of the various countries you visited. You will surely be missed by so many people who's lives you have touched over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Kimberly Gross  I feel fortunate to have reconnected with you after so many years, Mr. Soderberg. My condolences to your family and your wide circle of friends. You will be missed.

Brett Moreland  There are teachers that had a job as a teacher and there were teachers that lived to teach, making the lives of students more meaningful and making a difference. I am thankful for having Mr. Soderberg as my English teacher. I know that God has a special place for you in Heaven. Thoughts and prayers to your family, you will be missed by many.

Meg Klisiwecz Hutchings  Thank you, Mr. Soderberg, for fostering a life long love of reading and living life to it's fullest. My thoughts and prayers to your family. You have touched so many lives in a wonderful way.

Cathy Matteson  You made such a difference in my life Mr.Soderberg......I am saddened today to hear of your passing.=(

Mr. Soderberg was part of the HCS faculty from 1968 to 1992. He taught English and drama and directed 21 musicals and two dramas while at HCS.

Before joining the HCS staff, Mr. Soderberg was a Lutheran minister and organized religous and foreign mission travel. After retiring from HCS, he taught theology in Papua, New Guinea.

He graduated from Gettysburg College in 1951 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg in 1954.

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