WALLY STEPHEN HOLOWKA

Condolences & Memories (6 entries)

• After St Johns school in 1979 I went straight to RRCC and followed up my interest in construction and building technology. In school I believed the universe was a product of design like any other complex working arrangement that I studied in school and that wasn’t a popular way to think in class. I remember Mr Holowka was a respected teacher and strong linear thinker that influenced many students as his memorials indicate. I listened to his memorial talk on zoom and reflected on his request to learn about the bible in later years. I know his wife Gladys is a student of the bible and that probably encouraged and so influenced him to study it. May Jehovah remember him Gladys. My sincere condolences to his dear wife and family. Yours truly Ray Parsons - Posted by: Ray Parsons (Teacher) on: Jul 29, 2021

• As some of the other tributes here show, Uncle Wally was an awesome teacher who recognized the value of an education - I have met many of his former students, and when they find out I am his nephew, they tell me how important he was to them becoming who they are today. I always think it's unfortunate that whenever there is a Burton Cummings story in the media, they often tell the story of how Uncle Wally told Burton to forget about music and focus on his education. Yes, Burton Cummings beat the odds and made a career in music, but Uncle Wally's advice is right in almost all cases, and it's why I give my students the same advice today. I also love the story of how when Uncle Wally was watching the 1972 Canada-Russia series and Paul Henderson scored the winning goal, Uncle Wally jumped up so high that he put a dent in the roof of the rec-room, and how he then refused to ever repair the dent since it was such a good memory. Thanks to Uncle Wally for all the good memories and for always fighting for the importance of education. Mascilline and I are thinking of you and Gladys, Kim, Dennis, Tricia, and Walter. - Posted by: Robbie Scott (Nephew) on: Jul 01, 2021

• Ever the prankster, Mr. Holowka was also my teacher in the 70's. One class, he decided to play a joke on our class and placed Nitrogen Triiodide on a number of the chairs in the class. I was lucky, and nothing happened when I took my seat. Another few students walked in one by one, and got the jolt of their lives, when they took their chairs and what seemed like a fire cracker went off under their butts. Laughter filled the room. You see, when Nitrogen Triiodide is mixed together and wet, it is stable, but when left to dry it becomes highly unstable and explosive. Mr. Holowka left tiny bits of powder on most chairs. Except one chair. I believe it was Cindy (if memory serves me correctly) that walked into the class and sat down rather abruptly at the last chair available in the room. Unlucky for her, she had chosen to come in late that day, and doubly unlucky, the chunk of Nitrogen Triiodide was the biggest one that fateful afternoon. What proceeded to happen next was that as her butt hit the chair, the chunk of explosive blew up like a giant firecracker. Cindy screamed as she flew off the chair and smoke arose from the impact site. We couldn't tell from a distance, but we thought that the explosion had rent a hole in her jeans as she felt her backside to ensure that she wasn't on fire. Needless to say, Mr. Holowka was very apologetic. And to no one's surprise, the rest of the year in his class was rather uneventful. Loved the man. Sure glad it wasn't my butt he blew up. - Posted by: Luke (Student) on: Jun 29, 2021

• If it wasn't for the strength of Wally's teaching ability I may not have made it into Engineering at U of M. I have often reminisced on this. To my mind Wally was a gifted teacher. - Posted by: Duane E Kelln (former student graduating in 1969) on: Jun 27, 2021

• A highlight of my six years at St. John’s (1961-67) was having Mr. Holowka as my home room teacher for Grades 11 & 12, in addition to teaching us Chemistry. “Wally” behind his back, “Mr. H” or “Sir” to his face, he impressed us with his passion for teaching, and set a wonderful example for impressionable minds. He treated us with respect, and certainly gained ours in return. Every ex-classmate I’m in touch with expresses the same feelings and has similar memories about those years with Mr. H. We were blessed to have him in our lives. I was able much later to tell him how much those years meant to me. And we met at the St. John’s Centennial in 2010. A handshake, a hug, a photo, and a bit of reminiscing about those years. Another memory to add to my album. To his family, hopefully you will find comfort in your memories of this wonderful man. - Posted by: Doug Charles (Ex-student) on: Jun 26, 2021

• Mr. Holowka was my grade 11 chem teacher in the late 70's. When I wanted to leave school two weeks early to start a summer job, he wouldn't sign my request, his reason was that my education would be my biggest asset in life. That statement made an impact on my life which I have repeated to my kids numerous times! - Posted by: Alfred Sansregret (Former student) on: Jun 26, 2021