Remembering A Faithful Servant!
In 1971, when I was a freshman at Rivet High School, I had a History teacher I timidly called Mr. Holscher. As a cheerleader for the varsity basketball team, I politely called him Coach Holscher. As a member of one of the first official girl’s high school basketball teams, I respectfully called him Coach.
Later, as an adult and a fellow member of Sacred Heart Parish, I comfortably called him Ralph. I participated in his funeral on March 5, and was honored to be an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for the celebration of Mass. Ralph was 87 years old when he passed, and I happily call him friend!
There are some people who simply command, very humbly, a sense of respect and appreciation. It may be their physical stature or the tone of their voice, or a firm-but-gentle presence. I will remember Coach Ralph Holscher with all these qualities. His influence and dedication were very instrumental in guiding me through education and athletics at an impressionable age. His teaching and coaching career spanned more than 50 years, and many of my family members and friends benefited from his commitment.
Between Central Catholic High School and Rivet Junior and Senior High School, I, my husband, and our four children collectively spent 32 years learning from Mr. Holscher. Of course these years provide great stories to share. When our kids would complain about his classroom challenges or rigid practices on the gym floor, we would smile – and secretly commiserated with them.
Like most things in life, education has changed tremendously since Ralph began his teaching career in Oaktown, Ind., in 1951. There are dedicated people today who are educating our children with the rigors of growing up in a competitive world. But few spend the amount of time he did, wearing so many hats with so little compensation.
He was the athletic director, coach, teacher, dean of students, class sponsor, bus driver – all at the same time! – to mention a few titles. He was on call at the school 24/7. During the “Mr. Holscher era,” there was never trash found on the property; grass left uncut; dust on the gym floor; or discipline problems in the classroom. He handled most of these things himself. The only lights that were left on after hours were in his office because he was finishing up the rounds.
Ralph was the first lay person hired to teach among the Christian Brothers and the Sisters of Providence in the Vincennes Catholic high schools. The spiritual and moral values necessary for the task were familiar to Ralph, being raised on a Knox County farm. I will always remember the start of a new school year – and with pencil and paper, and a regimented method – watching Mr. Holscher assign and pass out hundreds of locker combinations.
In 2001, with great privilege, I helped organize a reception at Green Auditorium on the Vincennes University Campus for Mr. Holscher. He humbly accepted the Honorary Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Governor Frank O’Bannon for his 50 years of dedication to education and athletics.
Teachers have a great influence on their students, but we may not understand the significance until they are just a memory. I had the pleasure of sharing my appreciation with Mr. Holscher over coffee and donuts in the parish hall many times, as I shared stories that would have required great discipline in the Dean’s office years earlier.
Not too long ago, I received a thank you card in the mail; it was from Ralph. It said, “No one knows what all you do.” I replied, simply, “I had a great teacher, and I think God knows about both of us.”
Take time to thank the people who have influenced your life, and taught you morals and values by their actions more than their words. A handwritten note in the mailbox can become the greatest treasure.
Rest peacefully, Coach Holscher. May we never forget who we serve, and praise the Lord for people like Ralph! Amen!
