After nearly 30 years I just moved back to Hamilton. I have thought  and spoken of Mr. Schlecta often over the years. He was my favourite teacher. The best one I ever had at any level of education. As people do these days, I googled him and found this. I wish we could have met as men.  I have so much I could write here but let me just say this, Mr. Schlecta you live on through me. I remember the lessons you taught and the words you spoke, often verbatim, which have shaped my worldview and made me the man I am today. Thank you kind sir. Your task is done and done well. Rest now. 

I too was taught by Mr. Schlechta, one of the greatest teachers I ever had. While discussing a first year university politics essay with my son, I was reminded of the red pen that Mr. Schlechta used liberally to shape our lazy words into clear ideas. One idea per sentence. Make it and move on. No one had an easy time in his classes, and everyone came out better in the end. I am sorry to learn of his passing. My condolences.

I had the great pleasure of being taught by Hans Schlechta at Westdale. He was tough, but one of the absolute best teachers I ever had. His quest for the big ideas made history memorable — not merely a list of what happened, but why things happened and what it meant. It’s been over 30 years since I took classes with him, but I’ve never forgotten what he taught me. I hope there’s a bit of him in the DNA of my educational website.

I was reflecting on something he taught today and wondered whatever happened to him. Sorry for the lateness of the memory.

I also remember how several times during one of our classes, someone would raise their hand and say “Sir, can we take a field trip to Webster’s Falls?” And he’d reply “What possible historical significance could there be in a field trip to Webster Falls?” And yet at the end of term, he indeed took us on a field trip to Webster’s Falls. Those who only knew him for his tough reputation couldn’t believe it, and yet at the same time taking us on that trip was so very him too.

Hans and I were best friends at High School growing up during our teens at Galt Collegiate Institute, now in Cambridge. We shared many interests and activities. We were both immigrants to Canada, Hans from Austria and I was a Scot. We frequently played ping-pong or Snooker at the YMCA after school. During summer we went to the Tennis courts at Soper Park.
We shared many academic interests. On occasion I was invited to the family cottage in Wiarton. Hans was a gentleman and a fine friend.

Although we didn't teach at the same school, we taught the same subject. I always had a great time talking history with Hans at PD days and conferences. He was " old school" and that is what I liked about him. 
Hans was definitely someone I looked up to as I progressed through my career.

My sincere condolences to the Schlechta family. Mr. Schlechta was one of my favourite teachers at Sir Winston Churchill S.S. (grade 11 ancient history 1969-1970) and his example inspired me to do a double major in English and history at McMaster.  He was tough, but fair, and I learned a lot from him. He had high expectations from his students and I worked hard to meet them, good practice for university.

My sincere condolences to the Schlechta family. A lovely memorial service was held today to honour Hans life. The heartfelt eulogies and stories from family and friends painted a picture of a life well lived, with lots of love and laughter. Mr. Hans Schlechta, you were my favourite History teacher, you gave me a life long love for History.  As Sir Winston Churchill High School celebrates it's 50th Anniversary/Reunion in June, we will ensure that Mr Schlechta is remembered in our memorial.

Dear Christa,

I was so sorry to hear about the loss of Hans. 

My parents (Dawn and John Trueman) both thought the world of you and your husband.  It was so very kind of Hans to come to Dad's funeral.  Han's obituary is such a touching piece written by a great man.  You are in our thoughts and prayers.

It could be truly said of him as it was of Chaucer's clerk of Oxenford: "And gladly would he learn and gladly teach."

Dawn (Trueman) Martens

"Sir", you were the toughest teacher I ever had. Your classes were boot camp for the real world of academic work and study. I became part of the elite who made it through not one but two of your courses at Westdale. Your methods made me a better writer and a better student than I could ever have dreamed was possible. I am grateful I had the chance to tell you exactly that once many years ago. Only a few weeks ago, I returned to live in Hamilton after a busy decade of work and study. I wanted to find you but I was too late. I'm sorry I never got to tell you that I earned my history degree from Mac and went on to earn an MDiv from the University of Toronto--that I became a full time United Church minister and a professional writer. None of that would have happened without your presence in my life. You were, are and forever will be, one of the few memories I cherish of high school. Thank you to your family for sharing you with us students--for all the nights you spent marking wretchedly written papers like mine was time away from them. My thoughts and prayers are with your family now and will remain there in the coming days. May God bless them and bless you in your eternal rest. Your toughness was kindness to me and it shall never be forgotten.

From a very young age, because our parents were close friends and our families had barbecues and day trips together, I knew Hans as a type of uncle figure to me. He was funny and a leader in group situations, and joined in fun with children often, though we did not always understand his adult logic. I was an avid participant in World Religions and his OAC level World History at Westdale Secondary in the early 90s, and I know that my aspirations to go on to complete my doctoral degree in Science and to become an Assistant Professor at the post secondary level was seeded by my interactions in his class. I vividly recall an essay I wrote for World Religions about Zen Buddhism: He called me into his office, closed the door and looked at me over his glasses, stating ominously that he knew I had not written my essay, and so who had written it? I was flabbergasted and assured him I had read all of my references and had written the whole thing in my own voice, myself, which was true. He did not let on that he believed me (yet), but invited more conversation about my reference literature. After a lengthy and varied conversation about the tenets of Zen Buddhism, he told me that I had better consider becoming a University Professor, because I certainly could write like one (!) I was also fortunate to have been coached by him on the basketball court. He had a rigorous discipline to his actions and his teaching, as well as a deep belief in the possibility of miracles and extraordinary thoughts and actions from any human. He sought to draw that out of his students, and I am sure that hundreds if not thousands have benefited from his call to be participatory and to take chances in learning, in sports, and in life. Thank you, Hans. Sending hugs and positive wishes to Christa, Nicolai, Marcus and all his close relatives.

Hans is still one of my favourite teachers. I took a class with him at Westdale High that fed my love of research, and I went on to study History and German Studies at University and become professor of History. I have thought often of him in the years since and was very glad to have been able to correspond with him in the last year or so. My best wishes and deepest condolences to his family.

I was one of the guys who would visit at Christmas time with Mark Delio in the early/mid 70s.  Hans was my teacher for two years at Churchill, but he was also much more than that.  A friend.  An inspiration. Someone who obviously loved what he did and cared about his students. Thanks.

Mr. Schlechta taught me in history at Westdale and was a truly extraordinary teacher. His history classes were what inspired me to go on to graduate school and become a history professor. He taught us how to think 'big' but critically, and also how to write and communicate. So many of us were very lucky to have him as our teacher. Sending my thoughts to his family at this time.

My name is Joseph Kozlowski and I was a student at Sir Winston Churchill H.S. when Mr Schlechta was there. I did not have him as a teacher. On personnel note, one day he came into the Sears Home in Burlington where I work as a receiver. He was looking for a mattress. We had a chat about Churchill H.S. and what we both were doing since I left.

On behalf of myself and my family we pass on our condolences on your lose.
I know he will always be with you and your family in spirit. May God bless you and your family.

Mr Schlechta was my history teacher at Southmount school in the mid 60's and I consider him to be the best teacher I ever had. I met him in the hallway of Westdale school some 20 years later and I was so happy to see him but alas he did not remember me. I did not have time to give him some past history to see if that would jog his memory and walked away heartbroken. I probably scared him because I was so very excited to see him again. I am very happy to know that he had a good life with his wife and 2 sons and grandchildren. Please accept my sincere condolences and I hope that your years of wonderful memories bring you comfort now. Sincerely Marion Thomson.

Mr Schlechta was a life-changing educator. I am now a professor of history and my earliest inspiration was his class at Westdale High. I will never forget how he taught us about art and culture as well as politics, focusing always on the big ideas and why the past mattered for the present. He touched so many.  Sending all best wishes to his family. With great admiration.

Hans Schlechta was my history teacher at Southmount Secondary School in the 60's. His classes were fun, informative and challenging. It is difficult to lose someone you love but very slowly the sharp pain of loss will be softened with the beauty of memories. My husband, Keith A. Rielly, who died in April of 2015, was a colleague of Hans and would have been saddened, as I am, by his passing. My heartfelt condolences for your loss.

Sorry for your Loss - Hans was a great teacher - such energy & that smile! I was one of his students at Sir Winston Churchill in the mid to late 70's. Loved his classes!

Very sad to hear that Mr. Schlechta has passed. I was a student at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in the mid-70's and found him to be an engaging teacher who was always fully present. He expected the full attention of his students and challenged us to think for ourselves and express our opinions. Class discussions were sometimes heated, but I believe he revelled in the outcome of getting his students to think outside the box; his grin during these discussions was an indication of such. Much respect to you, Hans. Thanks for imparting your wisdom and for encouraging my teenage self to believe that my thoughts and perspectives were not only valid, but free to grow and develop with experience and new-found knowledge. Peace.  
My condolences to Mr. Schlechta's family. I am sure he will be sorely missed.

Thank you Mr. Schlechta for your inspirational history classes at Sir Winston Churchill school 1967-69 while I was a student there.......so glad I had the opportunity to tell you about the class you gave on The French Revolution ......you broadcast George Frederick Handel's Water Music to set the mood and this piece of music has been with me ever since.....I'd like to dedicate it to your memory....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnn3TVBDtcA
David Hart

Hi there! "our experiences from the past have given us understanding of the present". I remember those words so well from Mr Schlechta during my high school days at Churchill. He was the "BEST" history teacher ever. Sending along condolences to his family. May you all find comfort remembering your good times. Sorry for your loss. Sincerely, Gail Brown(Woolley)

My sincere condolences to the family. Hans was a real inspiration to me throughout high school at Sir Winston Churchill back in the early to mid 70's. Some of us guys used to like to call on him for a few years later at Christmas time, first as a bit of a joke, and later because he was such a delight to talk to outside the classroom and he and Christa were so accommodating to us. "History are the tricks we play on the dead" was his favourite quote back then and it really stuck with me. Thanks for the memories...now go straighten those guys out in heaven! Mark Delio, Class of '75, SWC Hamilton.

OBITUARY

Hans Schlechta

January 3, 1940 – December 12, 2016

Marlatt Funeral Home, Swackhamer Chapel

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