Armstrong-isms and Favorite Memories by Lisa Harvey

Mr. Pocketknife

lisaharvey2 — 2018-10-06 16:17:08 UTC

The only man I know who can peel an apple in ONE slice!

Stacy Witkiewicz

2018-10-06 16:29:33 UTC

My fourth grade teaching buddy....
Leaving school everyday he’d stop in and say, “ See you around like a donut! “

Lisa Harvey

2018-10-06 16:45:52 UTC

“When the frost is on the pumpkin, it’s time for Dickey Dunkin.”

Nancy Pfingston

2018-10-06 18:41:28 UTC

Alan started every morning with discussion of a few current events he had just read in the HT. I always thought that was a good learning experience for his students.

Louann Ray

2018-10-06 18:48:00 UTC

I remember how the kids would know if they asked him any question that was not about the subject we were talking about he would go into a story that could last for over an hour and they would all just sit and listen to him because he was just such a great storyteller.

Lisa Harvey

2018-10-06 18:59:12 UTC

Never wore a shirt without a pocket...for his little black book....I stand corrected....little red book

Tammy Bovenschen

2018-10-06 19:00:21 UTC

When I tore up my acl he kept teasing me that my spurs got tangled in the blanket while I was riding Butch...it was a better story than the truth!

Venus McCoy Glasgow

2018-10-06 19:04:45 UTC

If there was a chair by him open in a meeting or the lounge, that is where I would sit. Everything he said was inappropriate and sure to bring belly laughs. Though he was not at all PC, that chair felt like the safest place in the room❤️

Lisa Harvey

2018-10-06 19:19:44 UTC

Lisa Roberts and I made a trail of Hershey’s nuggets from the front door of school all the way to his room. He sent a kid to get them all

LisaHarvey

2018-10-06 19:24:32 UTC

I wish I would’ve recorded him telling the “Breastfeeding Conference” story.

Chase Arthurs

2018-10-06 19:47:14 UTC

One of my favorite memories is when Alan had our Lakeview get-together at his ranch. We went on a “hayride”- which was us sitting on bales of hay bouncing around in the back of his truck and him driving probably a mile through the pasture. We had a bonfire and roasted hot dogs and s’mores.

Alan was such a part of lakeview culture- I left lakeview before he retired and I can’t even imagine or think of Lakeview without him. He was the gentlest soul and it was obvious he loved the kids. Fat Friday breakfasts and staff meetings were never boring with Alan there. He will be truly missed. ❤️

Lisa Harvey

2018-10-06 19:58:18 UTC

When he would out of the blue start an auction ramble.....”abideeeebobbadeeebobbadidee five five anybody gimme five....”

Nancy Pfingston

2018-10-06 20:03:50 UTC

Remember Alan wearing his chaps like a real cowboy ...probably for Expo

Lisa Harvey

2018-10-06 20:28:43 UTC

I once taught him a “take home lesson” in the lounge and as Alan said, “Sharon ended up with a Charlie horse!”

Denise Wisley

2018-10-06 20:33:22 UTC

😭😭😭😭 never forget.....him saying......wisley if you gain a few pounds a year you never have to worry about wrinkles 😂

2018-10-06 20:45:27 UTC

Always called me

Lisa Harvey

lisaharvey2 — 2018-10-06 20:55:54 UTC

Lunch lady schmoooozer...No matter who was serving lunch, Alan’s tray was always filled at least twice as much as everyone else’s.

Lisa Roberts

2018-10-06 20:56:12 UTC

I taught next door to Alan for many years. He always greeted me with “Good Morning Buddy” and ended the day with “See ya Buddy”!

Chris Straw

2018-10-06 20:59:17 UTC

My first day of teaching he asked me if I knew the “six word discipline” when he dropped off his class to me. I told him no they didn’t teach that. He told me what it was. Nope They don’t teach it anywhere. He had me so flustered at day one and I was still learning from him through others at Lakeview this year.

Pajama Days

2018-10-06 21:24:25 UTC

I remember on pajama days, Alan would wear his bathrobe over his clothes. Always would bring a smile to your face!

Rebecca & Jim

2018-10-06 22:52:08 UTC

Lisa Harvey

2018-10-06 23:54:18 UTC

The only man who could get away with referring to women as Phillies and Mares and get away with it!

I will never forget when Charlie came home from the first day in 3rd grade in Alan’s class. I asked what he learned that day. The response was priceless - “A cowboy’s favorite drink is whiskey!” Alan taught the kids so much and the adults so much more.

2018-10-07 00:10:31 UTC

Angie Bowman (Taylor Blanton)

2018-10-07 01:11:01 UTC

My daughter Taylor wasn’t in his class but he knew us all well......one day she came home and said “Mom what are britches?” I laughed and said “pants, why?” She said “every day Mr. Armstrong asks me when I’m going to make him some britches” I just laughed. So closer to the end of the school year she said “Mom we have to make Mr. Armstrong some britches” I told her that she needed to ask him what size he wore so we could do just that. She asked him and he told her, so we went and got him some “britches” and she made a homemade tag that said something to the effect of “Taylor made “ I’m not exactly sure what the tag read for sure, but the last day of school she presented him with his “britches” and he actually wore them.....❤️

Stacy Witkiewicz

2018-10-07 01:43:38 UTC

Alan was always the best storyteller. In the teacher’s lounge and at every Lakeview gathering he’d have us all laughing so hard we’d be crying! No matter the occasion he’d have a story. After working with him for many years you’d sometimes hear the same stories again... sometimes an even funnier version would emerge! Only the people who were actually at the happening know the way it really all happened. But regardless we loved every detail and we’d ask him to tell it again!

Lisa Harvey

2018-10-07 02:23:51 UTC

I STILL think he LET the big animal step on his ankle and break it because he thought it meant sponge baths for 6-8 weeks. Poor Sharon had to go on that school trip to St. Charles with us to babysit!

2018-10-07 10:55:12 UTC

One of my favorite teachers! Such a sad loss. Prayers to his family! He will always be remembered!

No words to explain. Our deepest sympathy! Kim and Sandy Wade

2018-10-07 13:24:56 UTC

Ami Armstrong

2018-10-07 14:07:44 UTC

Alan would sharpen the kids’ pencils with his pocket knife because he said the pencils nowadays were no good and wouldn’t sharpen in the sharpener correctly. I also remember he would put his spork and his napkin in his shirt pocket as he carried his tray from the cafeteria. And when it was third grade Fat Friday....you knew Alan was bringing those “alligators” (?) from Magic Morning! He was an amazing one of a kind!

Personalized Pencils

2018-10-07 14:17:34 UTC

Years ago, Alan was the one who got me to order pencil packs with the kids’ names on them for Christmas. They loved it! I’ve moved to a different school, but I still do this for my kids, and they still love it! Another way Alan’s influence continues on!

Army was my 4th and 5th grade teacher. He was my daughter's (Holly) 4th grade teacher and he was my youngest daughter's (Rebecca) 3rd grade teacher. I requested he be Rebecca's teacher because she needed someone like him in her world at that time. He will be missed. 💙

2018-10-07 18:34:49 UTC

Leigh Dillard

2018-10-07 19:48:46 UTC

One of the Greats in teaching and in life. ❤️

Sandra Thompson

2018-10-07 20:43:48 UTC

I have known Alan from working at Lakeview. My husband also worked at Lakeview. Alan was our marriage counselor. Always words of wisdom.

2018-10-07 20:44:21 UTC

Mr. Armstrong was a teacher at my elementary school and although I didn’t have him he always greeted me with a smile and made sure he said hi to me anytime he saw me in public. He was a great influence on me And will be greatly missed

The ripped pants story???

lisaharvey2 — 2018-10-07 20:49:54 UTC

Alan used to tell it so well! He ripped his black pants at school and a coworker told him to color his tighty whities in with black marker....and that’s what he did!!!! 😂

Rug Rats in the 80's

kennylogan2002 — 2018-10-07 21:01:25 UTC

Me and a few other kids was messing around in class and we had snuck rubber fishing worms into class we got them wet .. we would wait for Army to turn around and write on the chalk board and we would throw them up and stick them to the ceiling... and as soon as he would turn back around they would fall...
Needless to say I got to know Mr. Horn pretty well back then as well...

Lori Waterford Snoddy

2018-10-07 22:05:58 UTC

I have known Alan since I was a very little girl. He owned property right across the road from us every time he would cut hay or just bush hog he would always wave me out to come ride with him on the tractor. The tradition went on for several years until we moved. I was also in his class at Lakeview. I drove a school bus for 15 years and drove to Lakeview he would come out and get on my bus all the time and shoot the breeze! I was hauling cattle for my father a few weeks ago down to springville auction barn and ran into Alan. We talked for ever and he told all the guys there and his son in-law how long he had known me and a story about when I was in his class in 5th grade. The story went like this.... there was a girl picking her nose and Alan was watching me watching her do it, then all of a sudden she stuck it in her mouth and I puked all over my desk😂🤢.... well the guys at the Auction barn were eating as well as Alan they kept telling him to stop with the story before they got sick😂 Alan and I just laughed. He offered to buy my lunch and sit and chat “ I sure wish I would of now” but we had to get back to get more cattle. He told me and the guys he wanted me to get up at his funeral and give a eulogy, I said WHAT??? We just laughed ... the next day my mother and I went back to check cattle before the sale and we ran into Alan again with his son in law so of course there went the eulogy ans the booger eating story.... He was an awesome teacher and friend. I am so blessed to have the memories I have with him and 2 of my older sons had him also! RIP Alan I sure did love ya

Laura Mitchell

2018-10-07 22:17:45 UTC

My aunt, mother, and I all had the honor of having Mr. Armstrong as a teacher. He would always let me wrestle the boys at recess and was sure to give them a hard time when they lost!

Kate Burgoon

2018-10-08 01:15:14 UTC

I love reading all of these memories! It reminds me of my time at Lakeview, Army was my 4th grade teacher. He always had something smart or funny to say and everyone loved being around him. I remember we would always ask him to talk like an auctioneer because we thought it was funny. I'm glad I kept all of my yearbooks and pictures to remember the good times at Lakeview. <3

jeremycrpntr — 2018-10-08 01:20:06 UTC

My heart hurts. Alan had my older brother and sister and myself. He knew my family well, and any troubles even better. What an amazing man. I’ll never forget when I came in to visit him once years later... He had some paper mache bull in his room. Big bull tallywhacker and all. I just had to ask, and he promptly told me that it was very important it be realistic. I truly loved this man. Him and Chuck Gromer are the most influential teachers I’ve ever had. I was traveling the wrong road at one time, but got on a better path. I think both these great men would be very happy to know they helped create the man I am today, that is always trying to give to others. See you in Heaven Alan!!!

Trista L.

2018-10-08 02:02:28 UTC

Mr.Armstrong was such a great man, he was loved by many and made such an impact in so many lives. He will be greatly missed.

2018-10-08 02:09:03 UTC

Learning from the best cattle man to walk

2018-10-08 07:15:51 UTC

2018-10-08 15:25:04 UTC

Caitlyn and Mikey both remember how he would sharpen their pencils with his pocket knife. They loved being in his class. He was kind, funny and kept them in line. He encouraged and pushed them to be better. Blessed to have had him as a teacher.

2018-10-08 15:25:46 UTC

When I worked the playground at Lakeview Mr. Armstrong assured me if I needed help with the kids to just send them into him. A very good man gone to soon...

2018-10-08 15:26:31 UTC

Lunch time at Lakeview was always interesting and fun times - he sure could tell a joke! I'm so sorry to hear this news. Prayers for his family and the many others he had an impact on. ❤

Antoinette L

2018-10-08 15:26:38 UTC

We met Mr. Armstrong when Jacob began Kindergarten. He had noticed Joshua, who was three at that time, staring at his Dodge truck every morning. He asked Joshua about it and mentioned that it had dirt on it. I explained that the dirt made it all the more special, because his "Gan" had a Dodge just like his only blue and always had mud on it from his farm. They bonded over the truck and I will always recall how sweet it was that he would go out of his way to come chat with Joshua about it nearly every morning.

Cared for students as a parent would. Though I was terrified of being arrested for forgery when I made some petition - something about vocabulary homework- and signed names of people who were absent that day. He informed me of the penalties for forgery and I had knots in my stomach for days fearing the police were coming!! Taught me a lesson...

2018-10-08 16:05:49 UTC

Alan always had a smile for everyone he met. I never saw him at school once without a smile on his face. And when he would smile at you it would make your day! One of the many, many reasons he was loved by so many young and old alike. He will be greatly missed.

2018-10-08 17:49:14 UTC

2018-10-08 17:49:42 UTC

Alan always had a smile for everyone he met. I never saw him at school once without a smile on his face. And when he would smile at you it would make your day! One of the many, many reasons he was loved by so many young and old alike. He will be greatly missed.

Gone but forever with us!

shill005 — 2018-10-09 00:36:46 UTC

I had the pleasure to grow up within Lakeview Elementary surrounded with Mr. Armstrong during my grade school years (Of course, I secretly wanted him as my teacher, who didn’t?!?) he made a huge impact on all the kids in that school and we’ll never forget his legacy there. Who knew that many years later he’d be a teacher to me not in the class room but outside on the farm working with cattle. I had the pleasure and honor to work along side his daughter, Dr. Ashley, at Regional Vet Service’s for about 5 years. During my time with RVS, I gained an amazing passion and love for cattle. And who better to gain that from?! They both have this amazing knowledge for cattle. There was nothing more entertaining then to watch and listen to Alan while we worked the heifers through during the Spring and Fall. It was a long 200+ head of cattle but completely rewarding and worth it once that last heifer came through the chute. I will forever treasure what I learned while working and handling cattle along side Alan and Dr Ashley.

Funny moment: I remember the day I was cleaning the barn and driveway after a huge storm that produced tornados came through the vet clinic and knocked down what seemed like hundreds of trees down. Alan drives up in his truck. He pulls up to me, as serious as can be and says... “You don’t know where a guy could get some fire wood, do you?”... as that grin came over his face! I laughed very hard to that one.

He was a special man and everyone that knew him or came in contact with him in their lifetime knows that! Although, I know he probably had plenty of things left on this earth to do, teach, and create, during his time he made a HUGE mark on this earth. God makes plans that we don’t understand, I just know through all the heartache of his passing Alan he forever live on in his family, his cattle, his farm...thanks to his amazing spirit!

Love,
Shannon H.

2018-10-09 09:30:25 UTC

He would play baseball with us at lunch recess. He was at bat one day, his hit went right into the pitchers thigh, I think it was Kyle sowders... Army scooped him up and carried him to the nurse.
I also pulled his chair out from under him as he was sitting down... he said Keutzer out in the hall! Margie found me crying out there and ask what happened, I told her and she said go back in and apologize you, just hurt his pride.. I slowly walked to where he was grading papers in the back of the room and whispered over his shoulder Army Im sorrow I hurt your pride. (I didn’t know what I was even saying lol) he laughed and said go sit down you stinker. Lol

2018-10-09 13:51:13 UTC

Mr. Armstrong was my fifth-grade teacher. He gave me the nickname “Bedford” because my last name was Mitchell and “you gotta go to Bedford to get to Mitchell.” I’m not sure he ever called me mytrue name after that. I had a lot of fun in his class

Caleb Sipes

2018-10-09 15:36:11 UTC

NiceMr. Armstrong was by far my favorite teacher. He was a great man and whenever I needed to sharpen my pencil he would take out his pocket knife and sharpen it for me.

Alan and I taught 4th grade together. We had many, many conversations while the kids were on the playground. So so many of his conversations revolved around Sharon and the girls. His family was the highlight of his life.

2018-10-10 01:58:03 UTC

Ami Armstrong

2018-10-10 10:29:48 UTC

I remember how proud Alan would be walking Caden into the Ready Set Grow room each morning. If I was walking by, I would pause to watch him help Caden hang up his things, then Alan would take a comb out of his pocket and patiently comb Caden’s hair until it was perfect.

Lisa Harvey

lisaharvey2 — 2018-10-10 11:36:43 UTC

Alan never knew it, but when we met during half day meetings at school, it was always someone’s job to keep him on track. Usually Cindy Baker ;))) I remember premeeting to get “dibs” on THAT job! Lol

Old friends meet

2018-10-10 15:56:55 UTC

When our youngest daughter and Ashley were in kindergarten, we went to a school program at Springville Elementary and my husband and Alan sat next to each other and talked about old times and childhood memories while Sharon and I tried to shush them and Ali played at Alan’s feet. We had moved back to the area a few years before but this was the first time they had seen each other except in passing. Seriously, they talked almost the entire program. LOL. He was such an entertaining friend

End of the year staff parties

lisaharvey2 — 2018-10-11 01:46:29 UTC

After 185 days of the grind, I remember lasting to the end of a couple staff parties at Butch and Leeann’s....when Alan was a little louder, a little more entertaining, and a little easier to roast. I mean, did anyone ever stop a story he was telling and say, “yes I’ve already heard that one”? Heck no!!! In fact, he took requests for our favorites!

Stacy Witkiewicz

2018-10-11 11:14:02 UTC

Beautiful Tribute

lisaharvey2 — 2018-10-12 01:37:13 UTC

Right after the accident, I was chatting with Nancy Pfingston, and she said she couldn’t picture anyone giving Alan’s eulogy other than Alan! No matter the occasion, the most anticipated speech was always his.

However, to everyone who spoke today, WOW! It was a beautiful tribute. The best speeches reach in and grab your heart. They shake you up, tear you down, make you cry, make you laugh, and make you believe in something again.

All week I’ve been hard-pressed to find the joy and hope in this rollercoaster of life. But you all made me believe again with your reminders of how Big Al led his life. Thank you. And continued prayers.

lisaharvey2 — 2018-10-12 01:44:08 UTC

L

2018-10-12 15:40:09 UTC

“Dad”

lisaharvey2 — 2018-10-18 02:36:06 UTC

Another fond memory of Big Al: during dinner at Longhorn Steakhouse a couple years ago, Lisa Roberts, Denise Wisley, and I started calling him Dad, trying to convince the waitress to put us all on his bill. Nope! You KNOW he wasn’t having it ;)

Fish out of water:

lisaharvey2 — 2018-10-18 02:38:07 UTC

Even though we knew Big Al didn’t swim, the Lakeview beauties lured him into the Lejeune pool at a staff party one year! He covered the shallow end during that volleyball game. ;)

I was in Army's 4th grade class in 1986. He called me Mousie because he thought I kinda looked like a Mouse. I embraced it and even had my new nickname put on the back of a sweatshirt at TIS bookstore.

2018-11-06 00:59:37 UTC

I was also a bit of a talker and he loved to say, "Mousie, give me 100 "I will not talk in class." This happened frequently - so often that I decided that I would just go ahead "I will not talk in class" sheets ahead of time while I watched "The Facts of Life." I will NEVER forget his face when the next time in class he belted out "Mousie, give me a 100" and I quickly turned and handed him my paper, already complete. I'm not sure whether he wanted to laugh or cry! Even though I had to write a lot for talking, we still got along great. He spoiled us rotten and let us have it when we well deserved it. He has always been a favorite of mine. I'm so lucky my boys got to meet him. I am terribly sorry for your loss.