Daniel Kiebles Obituary

One of my favorites.

After the first marking period of Honors Algebra at Hubbard my freshman year, it was clear I was completely lost. I received a D that quarter. It was the first time I had ever struggled with a subject in school and I remember feeling absolutely discouraged. Mr. Kiebles never let me give up. We stayed the course and through his teaching methods and encouragement, I started to figure it out. I went on to take four more Honors/AP Math classes at Hubbard, made the Math Team senior year (I still can’t believe that), and went on to study at Illinois Institute of Technology. He helped me build the solid foundation in math required for every step I took after his class. I am forever grateful for everything he did to help me understand algebra and to believe in myself. I have often thought back to how discouraged I felt towards math at the beginning of his class, and how it could have gone another way. I am so grateful it didn’t.

Mr. Kiebles ~ Thank you from the bottom of my heart and may you rest in peace knowing how much of a wonderful and lasting impact you had on your students.

Shannon Kelly
Hubbard Class of 1997

Mr Kiebles was the inspirational teacher in my life that you read about in newspapers or heard about on tv. When my family thought I needed algebra with support, Mr Kiebles said “Slim, I’m taking you down to Mr Flanagan.” Mr Flanagan was an honors algebra teacher. He fueled my love for probability and geometry. He was truly one of a kind. Throughout my adult life, any challenges that stressed me out brought wonderful memories of Mr Kiebles drawing perfect circles on the chalkboard with his arm as the radius.

Mr Kiebles, you have always had such a positive impact on my life; seeing my true potential. I shall always be “corn-fused” until we meet again.

-Slim

I was deeply saddened to hear about Danny’s passing a few weeks ago. His health was a bit tired the last few years. Danny meant a lot to many via the many hats he wore! But it was his days as a gym instructor and coach at Cornell Square Park that meant the most to us, now “Olde Farttes.” From teaching pushups, your first jumping jacks, sit ups, flipping on trampolines, how to shoot underhand free throws, playing dodge ball, or doing gymnastics, that was his real passion! His care to develop young boys via gym classes was his real forte! He was indeed a community organizer for the youngsters. He showed us how to become somebody! His tutoring for us to become involved in sports, made many us start organized teams. We spent many years playing basketball, softball and football in the City Park Leagues, because of him .And we still meet to enjoy our sporting friendships.
Danny and his brother Wally started the “Ye Olde Fartte Breakfast Club.” .Whereby hundreds gather from Back of the Yards , to reconnect for fellowship and tell tall sporting tales at Mabenkas Restaurant in Burbank ,Il . (They have great Polish food and service).This brings us together for some fun boasting, aka bragging about of our athletic days. From playing in City park leagues at: Cornell, Davis, Gage, Sherman, Kelly and Grant Park. We reminisce about legendary 16”softball games and those weekend gatherings, especially the City Wide Ed Burke (14th Ward) softball tournaments. Where only the best teams came to compete. The fun the families had from Back of the Yards neighborhood, on those weekends with picnic baskets and coolers to watch the best. It is always fun to flashback to our basketball games, especially at Cornell Park. Many of us in our 50’s /60’s /70’s and even 90’s, have many a story to tell of our greatness? This Breakfast Club has kept us young at heart and our friendships lifelong! It was Danny that planted those seeds, to become forever friends, via the teams we started. He really instigated the camaraderie among us : (Team names )/Als Pals ,Sillouhette Lounge ,American Rivets, Mundaes, Waynes SAC, Vets ,Beavers ,Sobies ,Bobcats, Over 30’s now over 80’s,Frogs ,The Row ,Untouchables ,Settlers, Busters, Wildcats, Jazz ,Spirit, etc. He was indeed a community organizer and we became the same, making us honorable men in the community .Danny’s gym classes made us grow up and proud to be from the Back of the Yards, playing team sports.

PS: Danny, you birthed me my nickname back in second grade .You called me Cooch, you said “there were too many Bobs in gym class”. So now nearing 70 years old , team members (Untouchables) and friends only know me as COOCH, my brothers (Larry, Jerry and Wayne) as The Cooch Brothers and Dearest Mom (Ma Cooch). Thank you! The Dear Lord took one of the Best. He is now at peace with those he taught life lessons too. He is now in The Hall of Fame in the Heavens above! Apparently the Good Lord needed a Gym Instructor and Coach, to join those gone before him. He Got The Best .God Bless the Kiebles family and dearest condolences. Thank You, Danny for making us Men, (Good “Olde Farttes”) via your gym classes at Cornell Square Park. RIP! COOCH aka Robert Kuczera.

Note: The “Ye Olde Fartte Breakfast Club” has started again. The Breakfast gathering that Danny and Walter started is held at Mabenkas Restaurant at 7844 South Cicero. The 3rd Tuesday of the months of: January/March/May/July/September and November .We meet there at 9:30 AM and Danny’s Spirit and Presence will always be around!

Uncle Danny,
I will miss you beyond belief. When ever we were at Grandma and grandpa house you always had us laughing. Sorry Janette and I broke the hammock . All I can say is see you later Georgous. That's how you always approached us. Nothing but great memories. Love you with all my heart ❤
Tammy

Some of my favorite memories as a kid were when Danny would invite my family up to his summer place in Wisconsin.
There, my sisters and I learned how to fish, we would buy & eat fresh corn on the cob (from the local farmer), Danny would give us the tour through Slades Corner, and we'd go to Adrian's for frozen custard.
Danny was a very selfless and positive individual...and though he will be missed, he will not be forgotten.
It was an honor to know him.

Rest In Peace Danny, thank you for organizing all those “Ye Olde Farttes” club breakfasts...
May God Bless your Soul and May You Rest In Peace.....

Ron Fara
Gage Park 1953

Life long neighbors of 40 plus years great childhood memories of him and Wally always willing to teach us kids something great neighbors RIP Danny

Dan Kiebles was an amazing teacher. When I transferred to Hubbard for the beginning of my junior year I was in Dan’s home room. He saw things in me that I definitely couldn’t see. He recommended me for a Leadership preparation course at the State Fair in Springfield . I will never forget that experience . When Coach Gallagher visited the home rooms after winning the 1970 Blue Football Championship. He introduced me as his fighter to Coach as his boxer and little did I know Dan attended my matches at Marquette Park and Davis Square park in the city. Later in life I was happy to find out Dan loved to hang out in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin just like I did. Thank You Dan Kiebles for being a great teacher. R I P
Mike Morrissey Class of 1971

Mr. Kiebles was a great teacher and coach, who had an awesome sense of humor. He was not just an educator in math and science, but in life! He will be missed.
Hubbard H.S. 1977

Danny “teach” you will be remembered by many from the old neighborhood. May your family find comfort in knowing that you are happy in Heaven with Our Lord.

The Dobrowolski Family

I am so sorry to hear this. He was one of my favorite teachers at Hubbard. He encouraged my computer usage and helped me learn the skills to get where I am now.
Prayers for peace and comfort for his family and friends.

Dan Kiebles was my uncle and I can honestly say that teaching wasn´t just his profession, it was who he was. I will forever owe him a debt of gratitude for starting my life-long love of reading, magic, computers and continuously learning.

He really was a great guy; we miss him so much.

On behalf of our large, lovely family, thank you all for your kind words and great memories.

I recall his cheerfulness and sense of humor. A Nice guy.
Hubbard HS class of 1976

My condolences to the family he was a good teacher. everyone love him he will be missed. Rip""

My prayers to Danny's family. My
late husband Gene and I knew Dan for several decades, we lived 2 blocks from him and Wally. Danny was always a descent, polite, funny man. He will be dearly missed. Rest in peace my friend.

He is my godfather, love hearing all the great things from his students and co workers, I will miss him.

Mr. Kiebles was my favorite teacher at hubbard, always looked forward to going to his class. May he rest in peace.
Joe Mcmullin class of 1973

Mr K was my asst. football coach during my sophomore year at Hubbard in 1973-74. He was a fine man. I especially remembered him at Mass this Sunday morning. May he rest in God' peace. Fr Matt Jozefiak, C.PP.S.

Mr Kiebles was my math teacher at Hubbard High School in the early 1970's. I always looked forward to his calls. He was a great teacher & a very nice man who was a very dedicated to teaching,

Hubbard High Class of '78. This man was infuential to me, got me started in Computer Programming. Founding member of the Hubbard HS Computer Club.
I met him later at oshkosh for the fly in in about 1981 or so.

Thank you for your wonderful instruction, may choirs of angels guide you to paradise.

Dan was a great friend and fellow educator with whom I shared many professional experiences as we both taught at Hubbard High School. Friends outside of work, we also enjoyed the great adventure of an Alaskan cruise. I send my condolences to Wally and family.

Thank you Mr. Kiebles for what you gave me and many other students that you selflessly influenced at Hubbard High School . I met you in my freshman year when you gave of your own time, experience, and money to coach a group of basketball players. You drove us in your own car to games throughout the city. You shared with us your knowledge of the city , as well as you true interest in our lives. As my time at Hubbard continued so did your efforts to show an interest in me and what my thoughts were of the future. At the time , I did not realize the true dedication that you had. I probably respected you, but did not appreciate just how lucky I was for having met you. You continued to be there throughout my academic years and basketball games. You introduced me to computer science and had me utilize the production of key cards and the computer ( CPS Headquarters ) to compile the statistics for the team following games. In the early years of technology, few people were allowed this experience. You were there for me all four years, as I left and successfully pursued and attained an undergraduate degree and graduate degree in Physical Therapy ( Northwestern University / University of Illinois at Chicago )) and an M.B.A. ( St. Xavier University/ Chicago ) . I created Athletex Physical Therapy in 1992.
Your influence in my life remained.
Through orthopedic maladies that you experienced in your own life, you came back to me for your rehabilitation. I was so overwhelmed that you had such confidence in me. I will never forget when you said one day, how proud you were of what I achieved. I hope I can speak on behalf of the MANY students that you have taught over the years.
You were a special person that gave more than what was required in the profession. I enjoyed sharing stories with you at Physical Therapy over the years.
It was then that I realized just how dedicated to our lives that you were. Give my best to Mark Zurales. This was another student that you were very proud of and my close friend. I remember sharing the news with you of his untimely passing. I know that you will continue to be there , as you have always been, for your family, friends, and former students. God Bless you and your family Mr. Kiebles.
From someone who appreciates all that you gave him over the years.
Thomas Mulvey P.T., M.S.P.T., M.B.A./ Class of 1981 at Hubbard High School

For many of us, there is a moment that resonates in its influence as we travel down life’s path. In my case, it was the fall of 1968, the start of my junior year at Hubbard High School on Chicago’s south side. I had just left my first class in Chemistry, where the initial assignment was to memorize the entire periodic table by the following week. “Not going to happen” was my reaction, and in a panic, I looked to find another class that would satisfy the science requirement.

A teacher from my previous year, Dan Kiebles, suggested taking his class – computer programming. It couldn’t be worse than my current situation, I thought, so I transferred. I learned to program in Fortran, keying in the code and then waiting for the results. I loved it.
After graduating high school, per Dan’s recommendation, I went to Southern Illinois University and completed an Associate Degree in computer programming in 1971. Scanning the newspaper “want ads,” I found a job as a computer programmer for a small insurance company a block from Union Station in downtown Chicago. From there, I enjoyed a gratifying career in Information Technology until 2015, when I retired.

Was this luck? Was Dan Kiebles in the right place at the right time to help a desperate 16-year-old? In part, yes. However, as we kept in contact over the years, I came to know a man who cared about his students and those in his circle of influence, always ready to provide guidance and support. As British theologian Charles Spurgeon writes. “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.”

P.S. - A picture from my 1976 wedding reception.

Dan was a delightful co-worker. He was always friendly and smiling. On the days when the Catholics had the day off school and the publics didn't, I brought my three young children to Hubbard with me. Dan took them to his lab and taught them to play games on the computer. He loved them and they loved him and remember his kindness. Because of him they were computer literate early on.
Dan was adored by his students and admired and respected by his peers and everyone on the staff. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

A cherished friend and teammate for over 70 years. In fact, Godfather to my youngest daughter, Kathy. An example of his generosity, while teaching in highschool, he took the boys who couldn´t make the basketball team and had them play in local park leagues. Danny was always interested and encouraged the "other" guy.He will be greatly missed.

Mr. Kiebels was my Computer Science teacher at Hubbard High School in 1970. He was a kind and caring person. The subject was difficult, but he always had time for extra questions or extra study time. Always had a kind and encouraging word for his students.

Mr Kiebles was one of my two favorite high school teachers. He was such an incredibly positive and encouraging teacher not to mention funny! He lived a great life where many had the pleasure of knowing him. You will be missed Mr Kiebles !

My condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Mr. Kiebles.
He was my favorite teacher at Hubbard High School.

Mr. Kiebles teaching methods were amazing.
He was a great man.
He inspired his students to be successful in life.

God Bless

Ms. Callahan (how he addressed me) Class of 1982

He was a Damn good coach and a good and educator He took alot of people under his wing and directed them in the course

Mr. Kiebles taught me to program in Fortran at Hubbard in 1975. I had a 40 year career in programming and he played no small part!

I remember Mr. Kiebles from Graham School (1960´s). Wonderful person and a great teacher. Our deepest sympathy to the entire family.