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Dear GFS,

I am so saddened to hear this news of our beloved Coach, Teacher, Mentor, and Friend, Dan Shechtman. My thoughts are with Dan's immediate Family, and the GFS Family, as well. I do not think there was a more respected person within the GFS community than Dan Schectman. Some of my most cherished memories of GFS have included "Coach."

For your leadership, training, guidance, and friendship..I thank you, Coach. I wish you well on your next journey.

Sincerely,

Rob Wickman '82

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I fondly remember Shecky telling me that to make up for all the PE classes I'd blown off (and to successfully graduate high school) I needed to rappell off Sharpless, which I eagerly did (both cause I wanted to graduate and because, thanks to Shecky, I actually loved it). Some of my best memories of GFS are from him - including awesome rock climbing outings, and his encouraging words during my one season of cross-country (I remember after a particularly rough meet where I hyperventilated at the end he said that while I wasn't the fastest, I had great grit and just kept chugging along). I think of these experiences often now that I'm living in Boulder and thriving in the trail running scene. Dan was truly a wonderful soul who touched so many. Rest in Peace, and my deepest condolences to his family.

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I found this amazing photo in my 2007 Yearbook of the Upper School history teachers (Dan, Don Kawash, and my dad Byron Davis).

I am so thankful I had Dan and Susan as my teachers at GFS on multiple occasions! Anytime I hear "We Didn't Start the Fire" I think of Dan's history class and smile.

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Dan was an invaluable part of the GFS experience for our 3 daughters. He taught and modeled the value of being one's self and being proud and happy with one's self. He was so important and touched so many lives - we hope that will be a comfort.

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Dan with his Jotul wood stove at his Peck's Pond cabin

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Dan with his Jotul wood stove at his Peck's Pond cabin

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Pickup trucks and great stories at the wood lot!

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Pickup trucks and great stories at the wood lot!

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Dan and Zach set up a visit to Shechtman Tree to watch Zach Mill logs for our J-Term Class. We used the wood that Zach donated to make canoe paddles. Our class was called Can You Canoe?

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I remember Dan as a constant in the GFS environment, although I never had a class with him. To this day, I remember the he brought a deer to school to demonstrate how to properly skin and butcher the it. I was in Ann Brakowitz’s 2nd grade class studying the Lenape at the time. We were able to eat strips of venison that week.

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Climbing into the back of his truck with a handful of others with Satch'mo (?) in the cab, we made our way down to the Wissahickon for the most perfect gym classes ever, ready to climb Livezy Rock. Dan gave this teenaged girl a larger sense of self and purpose. I felt seen, valued and capable in ways never before acknowledged. Dan has remained one of the most powerful influences of my life. With much love and light to his family! Stacy Kent

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I’d love to write something beautiful but I’ll settle for honest. I lost my Dad, Bill Koons, earlier this year and know just how much the circling of the GFS community meant to me in the days that followed. Dan and Dad were friends for years. They shared a love of history, music, and hand chopped firewood. I remember the time they held a contest to see who could use old songs to better illustrate certain events in history. My Dad chose tunes from the 1930’s that were about, I think, bread lines? Herbert Hoover? Dan chose Vietnam war protest songs and Appalachian folk music. My Dad never had a chance.

As for me, I remember when Dan taught wilderness literature for Essentially English. The class was full so I didn’t get in but for days all anyone could talk about was “Deliverance.” I was very jealous. Dan gave the commencement speech at our graduation, taught my sex education classes, and was such an integral part of my life at GFS that he seemed to be everywhere, doing a little of everything. I am grateful to have known him and on behalf of my family, send love to his.

Warmly, Catherine Koons Hubbard ‘91

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My memory fades over the years, but one crystal-clear image that I carry is the smile on Dan's face the moment the final scores were announced at the 1984 wrestling championships. After trailing most of the day, we came out on top, barely. He was beaming. Every person on that championship team contributed that day, and it was all thanks to the hard work we put in at his guidance and under his leadership. Dan's dedication to the team, and to our growth not just as wrestlers but as individuals and teammates, was something truly wonderful to experience. Thank you Dan, you were an inspiration for us. Sincere condolences to his family.

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I joined Dan on his AT treks for three year as a chaparone (and doc) when my own two kids did the senior trip… we had so much fun together we laughed grunted joked and explored together the facts that we were no longer kids…he was a wonderful kind strong and caring man. His memory will forever be a blessing for me. so sad…

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Log cabin built by Dan's PE class (1984).

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Log cabin built by Dan's PE class (1984).