Hershberger, Steven Lynn (1964-2008)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2008 Jul 14 p. 9

Birth date: 1964 Mar 17

text of obituary:

STEVEN HERSHBERGER

Steven Lynn Hershberger, 44, of Goshen, Ind., died June 12, 2008, in Puerto Viejo de Limon, Costa Rica, attempting to assist a struggling swimmer while on a high school Spanish tour. He was born March 17, 1964, to Miriam (Miller) and David Hershberger in St. Louis, Mo. The family moved to Versailles, M0., in 1977.

After graduating from Versailles High School in 1982, he went on a life-defining mission trip with Youth Evangelism Service in Europe. He then returned to the U.S. and graduated from Hesston (Kan.) College in 1987 and from Goshen College in 1990.

He began his career as a high school teacher at Argos High School in 1990, where he taught English. He then worked as resident director and speech teacher at Hesston College from 1991 to 1993. He began teaching at Fairfield High School in the fall of 1993. He taught at Fairfield for 14 years, with a one-year intermission at Hesston High School. At Fairfield he taught high school English, math, science, speech and drama. He was chair of the English department. He also was an assistant girls tennis coach. He was known for his ability to work with students at all levels in creative ways. He also was known as the “white shirt and tie” teacher, and he wore a different tie every day of the school year.

He loved reading, traveling, teaching and being with people. He traveled extensively across the world, often chaperoning high school tour groups. He traveled to every continent except Antarctica. He enjoyed classical music, films, art and ethnic food. A favorite place he loved to take his parents and visiting friends was downtown Chicago, where they would take in the entire range of Chicago culture. His strong faith in God was exhibited in every aspect of his life.

Survivors include his parents, David and Miriam Hershberger of Sarasota, Fla., a sister, Diane Bontrager and her husband, Jim, of McPherson, Kan.; and his grandparents, Paul and Malinda Hershberger of Sarasota, Fla., and Omar Miller of Kalona, Iowa.