Tribute Wall
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Thomas Dobbing NPHS 1988 posted a condolence
Friday, April 18, 2014
Coach, you will be missed. RIP
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Tom Hoagland posted a condolence
Monday, February 17, 2014
I, like many others, thought of Dick McKenna as the best teacher I had at NPHS. Advanced Biology in 1969-70 was fantastic and I'll always remember when he broke away from the curriculum to spend weeks discussing sex, drugs and teenage health with 30 seventeen year olds who were clueless about how it all worked and where they fit in with it all. He also wrote a moving tribute to my Dad when he passed away in 2004. A great man and fabulous teacher.
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Irene Mullins posted a condolence
Monday, February 10, 2014
We're very sorry for your immense loss!
Irene, Dave, and Joe Mullins
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Glen Bencivengo posted a condolence
Monday, February 10, 2014
The years have not dulled my memories of Mr. McKenna. I remember him as a helpful and kind summer counselor at the playground during the 1950's. I would ride my bike there almost every day. I remember him as a young teacher in my North Plainfield High School biology class. I remember him as a helpful track coach. Most of all I remember him as someone who really cared about young people and who was involved with his high school and town.
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Roger Hotaling posted a condolence
Sunday, February 9, 2014
I was saddened by the loss of Richard McKenna, or Mr. McKenna to all his students. Attending NPHS in the 1970's, I was fortunate to be in two of his Biology classes. In my senior year I was in his AP Biology class where he challenged everyone and pushed them to excel. He made a lasting impression on me and others who knew him, and I have never forgotten that. He also had a great sense of humor and always kept the classroom lively. The lasting image I will always have is of Mr. McKenna sitting on the lab bench with the class anatomy skeleton on his lap. I last ran into him at a barber shop in North Plainfield just before he retired to Bangor, PA. I recognized his distinctive voice and thought I was back in his class again. What really surprised me was he remembered me and when I graduated. That showed me the dedication he had for all of his students, even after thousands of students over forty years. He will be sadly missed and my condolences go out to all his family and friends.
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Cathy Schlack posted a condolence
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Mr. McKenna...was a mentor and guide for me in high school and directly influenced me into the field of Biology! I remember how Mr. McKenna appeared so vibrant and so real to me when I listened to his lecture in class! I am saddened to learn of his passing but Mr. McKenna will always be teaching us something about life, even now. Much Love, Warm Thoughts and Prayers to Mrs. McKenna and family!
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R. Craig Kammerer posted a condolence
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Farewell old friend. Thanks for helping me when i arrived at NPHS & rest in peace
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Jennifer (Gallagher) Eberhart posted a condolence
Friday, February 7, 2014
God bless Jen and all of your family. I am so sorry for you loss. Mr. McKenna was a great man and teacher at NPHS.
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Linda Schorn Torino posted a condolence
Friday, February 7, 2014
Loved your dad and husband as a teacher.He made me love biology and science.You were our neighbors when we lived on Manning...you on Brook. A beloved teacher,Class Advisor and funny guy.Enjoyed spending time at our Class of 1976 reunions.
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Doreen Losito Degirolamo posted a condolence
Friday, February 7, 2014
Mr. McKenna was a wonderful thoughtful involved teacher. He was my biology teacher in 1975, 1976. He devoted much of his personal time to make our senior circus a success. God bless him & his family. It was a priviledge to have been his student.
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Louise and Larry Griffin posted a condolence
Friday, February 7, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Gail, Joanna and Jennifer. We have great memories of Mr and Mrs Club events and choir at WAPC with Dick. May God be with you at this time and always.
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Bob, Sue & Ryan Raesly posted a condolence
Friday, February 7, 2014
Our family sends it deepest sympathy to you and your family. Dick was a wonderful person and we enjoyed the time we spent with him. He was so kind and supportive to Ryan. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Bob,Sue and Ryan
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Richard Harrison posted a condolence
Friday, February 7, 2014
I have many fond memories of Mr. McKenna. He was one of my most influential teachers, always patient and understanding, particularly of shortcomings in young male frontal lobe development. Later as a young scout leader, I remember many fun times on scout camp outs and activities. It was difficult not to catch Dick smiling or quietly contemplating what was happening around him.
Gail and family, your loss is shared, my deepest and sincere condolences at your loss. Fondly,
Richard.
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Arlene Shelly posted a condolence
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Dick will be sorely missed by all of his friends at FPC and especially by the FFF team which he served so many years. He was always pleasant & helpful.
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Peter Heimbach posted a condolence
Thursday, February 6, 2014
One of the few men I had the privaledge of calling "Coach." Mr. McKenna was a wonderful teacher, a good man, a mentor and friend to so many including me. I remember spaghetti dinners at his house the night before track meets and his patience with my incomplete and insufficient leave collection project. The number of students that he touched is amazing. I am teaching my homeschooled son Biology now and think of what he taught me quite often, so much more than just a subject in school. Joanna and Jennifer, your dad was a great man, make sure his grandchildren and great-grandchildren understand that.
Peter Heimbach, NPHS 1985
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Sharon Franklin posted a condolence
Thursday, February 6, 2014
So very sorry and sad to hear of the death of Mr. McKenna.
He was my son's (Eddy Franklin NPHS 1998) all time favorite teacher. Mr. McKenna was a truly wonderful person, kind, caring,considerate, approachable and concerned. He taught the students more than the words in books he inspired them to be good humans and to care for the world and all that is in it.He taught them compassion and empathy. We feel a great loss with his death.
Wishing you comfort at this terribly difficult time.
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Stacey (pell) Beam posted a condolence
Thursday, February 6, 2014
RIP Mr. McKenna thank you for being a great teacher in NPHS god bless you and your family
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Maria Cotto posted a condolence
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Thanks for being such a great teacher. RIP Mr. McKenna..
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Erika Johnson posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
My thoughts and prayers go to Mr. McKenna's family. Thank you for alQONBLl you did when I was a student in NPHS.
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Erika Taipe posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Thank you for being a great teacher. RIP Mr. McKenna, condolences to your family.
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Carol Flis Steider posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
A great friend, man and teacher who guided me to becoming a teacher. God bless his family and always remember his terrific life!
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