By: John Winright
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
“Not to give up under any circumstances should be the motto of our life: we shall try again and again, and we are bound to succeed. There will be obstacles, but we have to defy them. So do not give up, do not give up! Continue, continue! The goal is ahead of you. If you do not give up, you are bound to reach your destined goal.” ― Sri Chinmoy, The Jewels of Happiness: Inspiration and Wisdom to Guide Your Life-Journey
On Tuesday of this past week I took off on a drive to Northwest Ohio, heading for Blakeslee for my first “On the Road Again” type report. It was a beautiful cold crisp winter day. The skies were a clear baby blue with a bright sun and the ground was covered with a fresh sparkling of white snow.
As I traveled across the countryside many memories came to mind. Once I came to my destination, which was a farmhouse a couple of miles north and east of Blakeslee, I was ready for my first interview with Dan Thiel.
Dan and I have known each other for many years, and I have always been impressed by what he has accomplished in his life through many challenges that were presented to him as a person.
Dan was born on June 23, 1944 in Garrett, Indiana to Louis and Esther (Hug) Thiel and was raised in rural Blakeslee, Ohio on a 74 acre farm which is where he presently lives. He would eventually become one of 12 children, six boys and six girls that his parents had.
Back in those days life was much simpler and easy going than what it is now. Most mothers didn’t work and folks lived off the land and the full time job that the father held.
As Dan said, they always had food on the table and a roof over their head. Even though they were a large family, they made ends meet. His parents sacrificed daily and their entire life for each of their children.
As the school years started for Dan, he attended kindergarten at Edon Northwest in Edon, Ohio. When he entered the first grade it was at the former Blakeslee Catholic Parochial School and he went there until he graduated with the eighth grade class of 1958. There were ten students in that class, five boys and five girls.
The following year he would return to Edon Northwest as a Freshman. Throughout high school Dan would excel at academics and football. He loved attending school and being around all of his fellow students. This was a great time in his life and gave him many special memories.
Following his graduation in 1962, Dan entered college at Bowling Green State University where he was on the Freshman Football team. He attended there until June of 1964.
That is when a tremendous change and challenge came upon the life of this young country boy from a large family.
Dan was the statistician for a Semi Pro baseball team from Blakeslee that summer and during a game in June he became ill. He went home and went to bed then later in the evening his parents took him to a hospital.
It was found that he developed an abscess on his lower spine that tragically left him paralyzed from the waist down. He now was facing the greatest challenge of his life. The first part of that challenge was just to survive and the second part was overcoming pity and depression and making the decision to move on with his life. The support of his family and friends throughout this ordeal was a key factor in his recovery. Especially his parents!
Dan never forgot his father’s advice and encouragement as a youth to go to and complete college. He had started the journey before this tragedy, now he had to make a decision to continue on.
One of the first things he did during the recovery process was to wheel his way out to his 1957 Ford with a determination and desire to move on with life. He had to teach himself to drive again with limited mobility. He had to get in the car and store his wheelchair behind the seat. Although his mother was scared to see him take off down the road by himself in the initial trip, everything worked out and Dan taught himself to commute from place to place.
Because Bowling Green University did not have handicap access in 1967 Dan enrolled at the University of Toledo and graduated from there in 1970 with a BS in Education (Dual Major in Mathematics and Comprehensive Social Studies). He also has an MS in Guidance.
One of his biggest influences throughout his life was a teacher at Edon High School by the name of Claire Hackett. Mr Hackett taught Physics and Chemistry. This man was very influential on Dan’s life and the direction he chose to take.
Upon graduation from college, Dan got his first handicap accessible vehicle.
He also was hired at Edon Northwest Schools, by Superintendant G. Kent Adams to teach Mathematics at the high school.
Thus, the beginning of a successful career and life of dedication in this field.
Dan worked for the school system for 34 years from 1970 until 2004 and had a tremendous impact on hundreds of student’s lives.
One of his favorite pieces of advice is “Making mistakes is a part of growing up; not learning from your mistakes is refusing to grow up”
Mr. Thiel said that the biggest and best compliment he ever receives is when former students tell him “they wouldn’t be where they are today, if it wasn’t for the influence he had on their lives”.
An example of Dan’s impact on a student’s life is shared here by Kyle Douglas. This was written a few years back but says it all:
Math. The very word can instill frustration and fear unlike any other subject in any high school student. Anyone well versed in the study of this daunting science can remember, probably with more disgust than respect, long hours spent at home pouring over complicated notes and unbelievably difficult problems in order to earn that elusive “A”. It take a special kind of teacher that fosters the kind of understanding of what the common high school student endures, to teach such a daunting subject with the type of zealous enthusiasm and demand for “doing it right” as the one I have been very lucky to know during my high school career. No one teacher has been able to open up the secrets and beauty of mathematics for me as Dan Thiel.
It still seems like yesterday when I was sitting there in my first day of geometry. I was very nervous, as I had heard of the notorious Mr. Thiel and his no-nonsense approach to learning. Though many of the more outlandish stories were merely rumors, Mr. Thiel did not disappoint in delivering a healthy dose of math in the roughest way possible. His rigorous teaching methods stimulated even the laziest of minds, as his “forced-learning” approach to teaching math, helped many lost students to grasp somewhat of an idea on what they were doing. After learning the ropes of geometry and gaining an understanding, even a love of math, I looked back at the end of the year and realized what an impact he had made. Mr. Thiel had taken a student, unaware of what his future might hold and that carried less than fond feelings for math and completely turned him around, instilling in him the guidance and drive needed to actively pursue his goals and previously unknown future. No other teacher before him had driven me to the point where I actively pursued what I now know to be my future goals, because no other teacher had shown me the beauty and complexity of math.
And now here I am a college-bound senior who eagerly waits for the future. Thanks to Mr. Thiel and his dedication to his teaching and his students, I was instilled with the potential to take the gift that I received from him and make something of myself with it. Without a doubt, Mr. Thiel has had the greatest impact on my life. I will always be thankful for the guidance, advice, and direction he gave me.
Also some thoughts from Mr. G. Kent Adams are as follows. “I hired Dan in 1970 to head up our Mathematics Department at Edon Northwest Schools. Mr. Thiel was a very strict teacher and strong disciplinarian. He could get the students to go way beyond their capabilities, whether they were the high achievers or the low achievers. Several students went on to college and their mathematic skills were way ahead of where they needed to be thus allowing them to achieve levels in their first year of college without having to actually take the class, just an examination.
Dan always taught and lead by example and his impact is still felt in many people’s lives. I feel he still has a lot to offer his community in some capacity.”
As I looked around Dan’s home, I couldn’t help but be amazed at the technology that is available today for handicapped folks. I also thought about how it had not always been that way for Dan and what a phenomenal process it was for him to contribute so much in his life to others through all the obstacles that he had to overcome.
Some special things about Dan that he shared.
His idol growing up was Mr. Claire Hackett who taught Chemistry and Physics at Edon.
G. Kent Adams was the most influential individual in helping to lead and direct his career of teaching.
The thing that makes him laugh the most are people. One thing folks don’t know or realize about Dan, is that he is a very emotional person.
A piece of advice that he would give to anyone following his path? “Never give up, but be realistic about what you can do. Don’t set your goals too high.”
He has been honored with the” Jerry Luce” citizenship award that is presented annually to an outstanding citizen in Edon, Ohio for their contributions.
Dan considers it an honor to see his Students achievements and accomplishments.
His hobbies are, Facebook, the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians, and Notre Dame University.
Facebook has been very special to him as he has been able to stay in constant touch with his former students all over the world and to follow their lives and successes.
As far as political and social issues Dan says, “My father classified us as Roosevelt Liberals and I have maintained that position all of my life with total respect for John F. Kennedy and Barrack Obama. I really believe in helping and supporting the needy through various social programs.”
His favorite books are anything that is a Historical Novel.
His favorite movie is The Godfather and his favorite poet is Robert Frost.
As far as music goes Dan likes the Beatles, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and when the mood drives him in another direction, The Glen Miller Orchestra or Big Band Music.
His favorite food is his mom’s meatloaf, which he still has the recipe for.
And his best vacation was going to Colorado Springs, Colorado for his nephew’s graduation from the Air Force Academy.
As I was getting ready to leave, I had one last question for Dan. So, have you had any thoughts that you would like to share about never being married or having a family of your own? His reply, “Yes, this is something that I have thought about a lot over the years. And, it is something that at times has weighed heavily on my mind. The bottom line as I have thought about it though is this. The school was my bride and my students were and are my family”. Dan also says that all of his nieces and nephews are very close to him and an important part of his life.
What a living example of overcoming obstacles and having a lifetime impact upon many lives.
Throughout the whole interview I was rewarded with that beautiful smile, joyous personality and humble demeanor of Mr. Thiel. This man’s life and accomplishments are a beautiful example for anyone who is facing difficult times or obstacles in their life. Never give up.
As I was leaving this farmhouse in Northwest Ohio, I felt very blessed and thought about who will be next on this journalistic venture that I will be able to visit. There are so many folks that have a story to share. I am eagerly looking forward to my next assignment!
Thank you Mr. Dan Thiel.
John may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
