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Challenger Mourns Beloved Science Teacher

Photo from Challenger K-8

Co-workers say John Oswald was so dedicated to teaching he would show up 90 minutes early to plan lessons.

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: March 5, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - John Oswald chose enlightening young minds over weighting his bank account.

A former comptroller for the Navy and college dean, Mr. Oswald had the kind of business acumen and background that could have brought a sweet salary in the private sector.

But instead he chose a second career in education, and most recently worked as an eighth-grade science teacher at Challenger K-8 School of Science and Mathematics.

He loved the job so much that most days he arrived at school by 7 a.m. - about 90 minutes earlier than he had to - to plan the lessons.

"He was just very dedicated to the kids, and the kids adored him," said Challenger principal Sue Stoops. "He really felt blessed to be a teacher. He felt the awards went far beyond monetary rewards."

Tears flowed from students' eyes Tuesday when they heard the news that Mr. Oswald had died early that morning at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa after a two-year battle with a rare form of skin cancer. He was 61.

Students saw Mr. Oswald as a "nurturer" with a gentle manner and eagerness to motivate, said John Pennington, another science teacher at Challenger. The two were among the original staffers at the school when it opened in 2005 and they co-taught together.

"The kids are really remembering how much he cared, how much he listened to them," Pennington said. "He was always there for them, and they really saw that."

Students were signing a giant memorial card Tuesday to honor their teacher.

"Mr. Oswald passed away. That doesn't mean he's not in our hearts," read one sentiment.

"Most people who knew Mr. Oswald knew he should have gotten a second chance because of what an amazing teacher he is," read another.

A native of Montreal, Canada, Mr. Oswald worked in the U.S. Navy's medical department as a hospital administrator between 1977 and 1990. He graduated cum laude from Golden Gate University in 1981, and later earned a master's degree in business administration from Webster College.

More recently, he served as chairman of the business and accounting department at Florida Metropolitan University and as associate dean at Jones College, both in Jacksonville.

With that background, Mr. Oswald could have gotten a high-paying job in the private sector, Pennington said.

But when he and his wife Jeannie moved to Hernando County about six years ago, Mr. Oswald took a job as computer lab manager at West Hernando Middle School. He served in a similar position at Challenger and enjoyed the atmosphere so much he decided to earn his middle school teaching certificate.

"He looked forward to every day," Jeannie Oswald said.

Whether it was firing foam rockets or running slot car races in the school's mall, Mr. Oswald loved the hands-on learning activities just as much as the children, Stoops said.

The jolly man with the grey hair and beard was a natural to play Santa, which he did. Later, as cancer treatment progressed, the hair disappeared, but the good nature and dedication remained.

Even in his pain and discomfort, Mr. Oswald insisted on coming to school, and didn't let the kids see that he was suffering, Pennington said.

"There were days when most of us would have never come in," Pennington said. "It really was the kids that helped keep him alive for a period of time. He wanted to be in the classroom as long as he could, and he was. That's what he lived for."

A lover of science, Mr. Oswald was also supremely devoted to his faith, attending church regularly at First United Methodist Church of Spring Hill, Pennington said. An avid sailor, diver and fisherman, Mr. Oswald also had a knack for cooking, and the aroma of his spicy dishes often filled the teacher's lounge.

Mr. Oswald died knowing he'd made another kind of contribution to science: His skin cancer was rare enough that researchers at Moffitt studied him to help future patients, Pennington said.

Among Mr. Oswald's survivors are one son, Jason Oswald of Jacksonville; and two stepsons Richard Myers of Little Rock, Ark.; and John Myers Jr. of Benton, Ark.; a daughter, Nicole Diaz of Jacksonville; a stepdaughter, Merrilee Conner of Spring Hill; a sister, Harriet O'Conner of Silver Springs, Md.; and four grandchildren.

Services are set for 2 p.m. Sunday at First United Methodist, 9344 Spring Hill Drive. A reception will follow.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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