Legendary brick in West foundation prepares to break loose from mortar of education

Proudly bearing the banner of Oshkosh West since the ‘80s, health teacher Tony Gerharz is synonymous with the school itself. His class is often considered a rite of passage and a freshman initiation and he has coached Wildcat baseball since the days of Abner Doubleday. However, he surprised many by announcing his retirement at the conclusion of the 21-22 school year. Gerharz made his decision to join the calm community of the retired, although he is not certain when he will hip his final hurrah.

“I will be retiring at either the end of the school year or the end of summer school,” he said. “Either in June or July, but I’m not exactly sure yet.”

For a legend like Gerharz, memories span decades, not years.

“I started coaching here in 1980 when I was in college for football and baseball,” he said. “I started full-time teaching in the fall of 1987, so this will be 35 years of full-time teaching.”

Gerharz's visions and goals shifted periodically throughout his career, but he has always had a passion for education. 

“When I was in college my plan was to be a physical education teacher, and when I was in college I had a physical education teacher major and a health minor,” he said. “I substitute taught for four years. In 1987, the school district decided to have a health class at both North and West. I applied for and later got the job, started in 1987, and have been doing it ever since.”

The veteran health teacher is renowned for his energy and humor. Sophomore Gabby Heiling was entertained by his unique mannerisms.

“Instead of making us watch 30-minute lectures on the human reproductive system, he always made the class interesting,” she said. “He always had a variety of topics to talk about other than health, and I feel like it made the class better.”

Junior Trevor Kamholtz, who spent his first semester of freshman year with the spunky health teacher, also found him entertaining. 

“I feel like he turned the class experience into a fun time with his random jokes,” he said. “They were kind of corny, but funny at the same time.”

Junior Oscar Valdez felt Gerharz’s classroom was fresh and welcoming, always bustling with chatter and energy. 

“I liked his class,” he said. “It was a very cool environment to be in.”

Valdez wishes Gerharz well and feels his retirement marks an end of an era.

“I hope he does well after he retires,” he said. “It’s kind of weird; he’s been like the only health teacher here.” 

Junior Elise Palecek is puzzled when thinking about a new successor for West’s health department. 

“I don’t know,” they said. “I think it has to be another 70 year-old guy or a 20 year-old who will be here for another 50 years, no in between.”

Palecek believes that West has not caught its last glimpse of Gerharz just yet.

“I’m wondering if he’s going to come back as a substitute gym teacher,” they said.

The response? Gerharz isn’t making any promises for the near future.

“Subbing is still up in the air,” he said. “I am not sure if I will, and to be honest I probably won’t teach because the technology is just getting too much for me and it gets me too frustrated.”

  Regardless of the future, Heiling wishes well to Gerharz and acknowledges his effort in educating Wildcats throughout the years. 

“I hope he enjoys his retirement,” she said. “It’s good for him; he’s been teaching here for a while now.”

Even for students like Kamholz, whose experience with Gerharz was short and sweet, the presence and influence is real. 

“I think he was a nice guy,” he said. “I only had him for a semester, but I think it’s good he’s taking the time off now.”

Gerharz looks forward to revisiting old memories and bringing up good times with his fellow staff members. 

“At the end of the year, every year, and for many years here at West, there’s been a tradition of having a roast for the retirees,” he said. “I’m sure that there’s some staff members here that have some stories about me that they will share. Some stories are funny, some maybe are funny to other people but not to the person retiring, but that’s okay. I have been part of other teacher’s roasts before so, if I give it out hopefully I can take it.” 

Gerharz hopes to leave a final piece of advice for his thousands of Wildcat students.

“I have been doing health teaching all these years, so when you make decisions, think of the consequences of them and how they might affect others around you,” he said. “Whether it's exercise, drug or alcohol use, sexual issues, or mental health issues, students are able to talk to people that will be good listeners for them. Especially with mental health issues, which has become a bigger issue and hopefully through the staff here students are able to talk to people that will be good listeners for them. Overall, try to have some fun and try to learn from it.”

Palecek looks back on their memories with Gerharz and his lasting impact.

“I hope his legacy lives on, and that we still make jokes about him teaching some of the teachers that work here,” they said. “I think he is West culture.”

For social studies teacher Pat Bertram, Gerharz set a tone early in their relationship that has lasted for decades.

“I have had thousands of introductory conversations in my life. But I only remember two,” he said. “One of those conversations is the legendary Tony Gerharz. To make a long story short, Mr. Gerharz pranked a naive, young teacher on a first introduction and I walked away from that experience with two lessons: One, I will never trust that man again, and, two, Mr. Gerharz is kind of funny, I can see hanging out with him.”

That initial pranking set the stage for an ongoing relationship, despite their disparate roles in the Wildcat family.

“The friendship that resulted may show a lack of good judgement on my part, but I can say that in 21 years of knowing him he has kept me laughing,” he said. “With his retirement coming up I realize that I am going to miss him in the building.”

by Sydney Maki and Hannah Chung

Oshkosh West Index Volume 118 Issue 3

November 29th, 2021