Induction Class 2004 Inducted for Outstanding Contributions as a TeacherFriend of Central High School Biography Howard Ehrler grew up in Galena Illinois graduating from Galena High School Mr ID: 656439
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Slide1
Howard Ehrler
Central Dewitt Hall of Fame Induction Class 2004 Slide2
Inducted for Outstanding Contributions as a Teacher/Friend of Central High SchoolSlide3
Biography
Howard Ehrler
grew up in Galena, Illinois graduating from Galena High School. Mr.
Ehrler
went on to the University of Dubuque on a football scholarship where he lettered 3 times. He graduated from the University of Dubuque in 1948 with a double major of science and physical education. Mr.
Ehrler
came to DeWitt in the fall of 1948 to teach science and coach.
He
coached until 1960 when he accepted a position of Assistant Principal in the district. Mr.
Ehrler
assumed full principal duties in 1964 until his retirement in 1989. Mr.
Ehrler
worked for 41 years as teacher, coach, and administration for DeWitt High School and subsequently Central High School. During his 41 years as an educator, Mr.
Ehrler
made it a priority to know the students by first name and to educate the students, not only academically, but through extra-curricular opportunities as well.
Slide4
Article from the Observer
The first thing that caught my attention when I was looking over documents for all of the hall of fame inductees was a comment from former Central principal, Howard
Ehrler
.
The man who spent all 41 of his years in education at Central, had this to say about his philosophy as a principal: “My goal each year was to recognize by name each student in school.” That, as much as anything, speaks volumes about the type of person Howard
Ehrler
is.
One person not surprised by
Ehrler’s
statement was Dwight Spangler, a coach and teacher during
Ehrler’s
tenure at Central. “Howard was a special guy,” Spangler said. “I don’t know anybody I’ve ever been around who cared more about kids. He was always there and genuinely interested in the kids.
Ehrler
was a member of what NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw calls, “The Greatest Generation.” Born and raised in Galena, Ill.,
Ehrler
attended the University of Dubuque after his graduation from Galena High School. Before graduating from the University of Dubuque (UD) with a double major in science and physical education,
Ehrler
lettered three years for the football team. In 1942 Spartans put together an unbeaten season.Slide5
The Observer (cont.)
Soon after Ehrler
began college, the United States entered World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Following his freshman year at college,
Ehrler
enlisted in the Navy, spending almost three years serving on a destroyer escort in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during the war.
Following the war
Ehrler
returned to the UD to get his degree, which he did in 1948. By then he had married Patricia. The two would go on to have five children.
A few months after graduating college,
Ehrler
began his career in DeWitt. Along with teaching,
Ehrler
coached the junior high basketball team and the frosh-
soph
football team. His football teams were unbeaten in both 1951 and 1956. In 1952,
Ehrler
took over the varsity basketball program. One highlight was a 1954
Illowa
cochampionship
. The
DeHawks
shared the title with Clinton St. Mary’s (now Prince of Peace). St. Mary’s went on to win a state championship. Their only loss to an Iowa team that season came at the hands of
Ehrler’s
DeHawks
.
Ehrler
gave up his coaching duties in 1960 when he became assistant principal at Central High School. Four years later he took over the principal’s duties. During
Ehrler’s
career, the school district went through more changes than at any time in its history. The present school was built in 1958. Slide6
The Observer (cont.)
Four years later Grand Mound, Low Moor and Welton
joined the district. In 1966 the first additional wing was added to the building. In 1969, St. Joseph’s High School closed with its students joining the Central school district.
Looking back over his career,
Ehrler
lists 1988 as one of the most memorable. That year Vice President (soon to be president) George H.W. Bush addressed the student body. Also that year, Central grad and astronaut David Hilmers spoke to the Central student body along with his fellow astronaut Pinky Nelson. “My whole education philosophy was to g et the most out of each student,”
Ehrler
wrote Regardless of whether he was able to accomplish the goal, he never stopped trying. “You always saw him in the halls talking to the kids,” Spangler said. “He was very visible.”