Clarence M. Kretzer - Schoolman for 37 Years

 "CLARENCE M. KRETZER

SCHOOLMAN 37 YEARS TO RETIRE ON JUNE 30

by Maryetta Boywer Crescent-News

For 37 years, students of Delaware Tp. and Sherwood have faced an understanding and well-liked principal, Clarence M. Kretzer, present executive head of the Sherwood School.

When students return to their classrooms next September, Mr. Kretzer will not be in his office.  He will retire June 30.

Retirement for him will be work, not rest.  His basement at home is well stocked with tools that will turn out more of (the) quality furniture already found in his home.  There will be travel, fishing trips, and time set out for his best loved sport, baseball.

There will be relaxation, too, in his easy chair, but he isn't being selfish about it, for his wife, Lois, has a matching reclining model.

The Kretzers built a new home at the south part of Sherwood on U.S. Route 127 a few years ago.  It is attractive, cozy and comfortable.  There they can be near their children and have their grandchildren visit them often. 

They have discussed the possibility of living in another state, but could never agree as to where they might want to go.  Clarence likes California best; Lois prefers Arizona; or is it the other way around?  If they should choose to go to California, Mr. Kretzer would like to stay in San Francisco and Lois prefers Los Angeles.  It seems that the simplest conclusion is to stay where they are except for occasional trips.

The Kretzers have visited all states but Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska and Hawaii.  They have toured Canada twice and especially enjoyed the Canadian Rockies.

Mr. Kretzer went to the Sherwood School in 1938 from Delaware Tp. where he had taught 15 years, nine of which he served as principal. During this time, the smaller school from which he had graduated, kept pace with all activities and was quite outstanding in baseball, which Mr. Kretzer coached.

'We even entered a basketball tournament in the county tournament to make an even number in the drawing. The trouble was that they had never played basketball because we had no gym,' Mr. Kretzer laughed.

The Delaware Tp. school went with the first consolidation and the building on state route 18, two miles east of Sherwood, was razed in 1939.

Mr. Kretzer moved to Sherwood as a mathematics and science teacher and taught under Forrest Beams for seven years.  When the superintendent was forced to retire in 1943 because of ill health, Clarence became executive head, and since has continued in charge of the school.

With the second consolidation of schools and the creation of Fairview High School, Mr. Kretzer's status was changed to that of elementary principal of the eight grades remaining at Sherwood.

He was born in Delaware Tp. east of Delaware Bend, on Dec. 28, 1898.  His parents were Edward and Clara Huit (pronounced 'wheat'). His father, who died in 1954, when 85, was of German stock and had been born in Ney. His mother was the daughter of early settler, Melchoir Huit of Delaware Bend.

'My father was a carpenter in his spare time,' remarked Mr. Kretzer, 'and built a new home on his farm in 1948.  He also helped build our home in Sherwood.'

Clarence first attended a one room Bok school, near Delaware Bend.  Later he was graduated from the Delaware Tp. High School.  Here, according to his wife, Lois, who attended Farmer High School,he was an outstanding baseball player.

'He played shortstop,' said Lois,'and I just loved to see him keep fellows from making home runs.'

Clarence used to ride to school with two neighbor girls and paid his way by caring for their horse.  Later, he drove his own horse and buggy in the days when he first dated Lois.  By the time he was in college, he was owner of a Model T Ford.

In 1916, when Clarence was 17, he won a prize that took him on a week's visit to New York and Washington.  He was one of three Defiance County boys to raise a high acreage of corn.  The other winners were Elmer Greenler and Aaron Vogel.

'In Washington, they escorted us through the Congressional Library, but there was a war on so we were not permitted to touch anything,' Mr. Kretzer recalled. 'We went through the White House and shook hands with President Woodrow Wilson,' he added.

Mr. Kretzer first became interested in college at the time he was enrolled in the S.A.T.C. at the Defiance College during World War I.  He started for college the next year.

During 1922 and 1923, he attended Ohio State University and taught at Delaware Tp. in 1923.  He commuted during this time at The Defiance College and was graduated from there in 1924.

Mrs. Kretzer had graduated from Farmer High School in 1918.  By attending summer school at The Defiance College, she was qualified to teach at the Banner School north of Defiance in 1919 before her graduation.

The Kretzers were married in 1922. Lois' parents were Mr. and Mrs. C.J. Ketteridge, Farmer. Clarence had two brothers, Ray, Defiance, and L.C. Kretzer, Defiance.

Clarence's own family is interested in his retirement.  Lois is trying to figure out how they can live on a smaller income  The grandchildren are looking forward to fishing with their grandfather and having him to make things for them.

Clarence's son-in-law, Jim Miller, teacher at Fairview High School, said that his father-in-law is quite a fisherman.  His granddaughter, Nancy Miller, 8, has a turtle story she loves to tell.  It happened last summer at Moose Lake, Minnesota.  Jerry Bergman, Nancy's cousin, pulled up a huge turtle.  Clarence, wanting to help, tried to get the hook out of the turtle's mouth by use of pliers.  

'He got so excited' she explained, ' that the pliers fell into the turtle's mouth.  The poor creature was so weighted down that he fell to the bottom of the lake.'

The Kretzers hae three daughters: Jean, Gloria and Charlotte - all married...

Mr. Kretzer finds that his training in industrial arts worthwhile.  Although he things that he may have inherited his father's skill with carpenter tools, he finds his training very valuable.  A pretty walnut tilt top table proves his skill.  One whole side of the living room is sided with shelves he made.

Mr.Kretzer belongs to a number of organizations: Masons, American Legion, OEA, NEA, County teacher's association, Methodist Church, Sherwood, where he has taught the boys' class for nine years.

He has also been a Boy Scout leader but recently withdrew from that activity.  Baseball is still his favorite sport, and he attends many games.

In regard to teaching, Mr Kretzer remarked;

'I've enjoyed teaching most of the time.  The pay wasn't so good during those earlier years, but we always managed to live.  I guess that's the important thing.

The reason why a teacher appreciates the experience is that he has the satisfaction of knowing that the students have the right feeling toward him, and they give one the credit for the good things that happen to them.  It is a great satisfaction when they look upon one with respect, and you, the teacher, has the reward of knowing the job of teaching has been well done.'

'Comparing teaching in the early years and now (1960).' Mr Kretzer commented: 'When I first started teaching, work was simple in comparison to what it is today.  Principal's reports are now so much more complicated.' He believes that this is partly because of the cafeteria setup.

Robert W. Welty, Defiance county superintendent said:

'I have a very high respect for Mr. Kretzer, not only for his teaching and supervision, but as a man.'

When Darrell E. Jones, executive head of Fairview, was questioned about Mr. Kretzer's retirement, he replied:

'As a dedicated teacher and public school administrator, C. M. Kretzer has devoted him life to the betterment of youth in the Sherwood community  Not one to be easily disturbed, Mr. Kretzer has exerted a very stabilizing effect on both students and teachers.  Although thousands of students have passed through the doors of his classroom, Mr. Kretzer is still a true practitioner of the professor.  His words of wisdom and counsel have been the guiding light for both students and teachers for thirty years.'

Mr. Kretzer can retire with the satisfaction of knowing his work has been well done."

The Defiance Crescent-News, April 14, 1960