Obituary of Henry A. Lindert

On July 2, 2015 Henry Arthur Lindert left this life, happy in knowing he made a huge difference in the many lives he touched. Hal was born in Chicago, 1943, to Patricia (McLaughlin) and Dr. Merlyn Lindert. He was raised in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, enjoying what he always described as “growing up in the best place in the world at the best time.” Although he moved east in 1961 to attend Trinity College thereby establishing life-long roots, his heart forever stayed in the Midwest. He graduated Trinity in 1965, later earned a Masters Degree there, and remained a proud alumnus, attending his 50th reunion in June despite his health challenges. In 1967, Hal began teaching biology at Lewis Mills High School and enjoyed a long, successful, and storied career. He was a natural: brilliant, funny, compassionate, wonderfully irreverent, and a bad-boy rule-breaker; the kids adored him. He welcomed the school’s most challenging or overlooked students, and his proudest professional moments came in watching his students realize the potential he saw in them, succeeding not only in high school and college but also in careers inspired by his teaching: nurses, doctors, scientists, researchers, the list goes on. Hal, an avid sports fan, extended his mentoring to the courts and fields, coaching track, tennis, swimming, and his true love, girls’ soccer. He transformed a fledging club team into a Berkshire League powerhouse, winning numerous consecutive titles, putting LSM soccer on the map, earning coach of the year, and most recently, being inducted into the CGSCA Hall of Fame , an achievement he underplayed but secretly relished. Playful and fun-loving by nature, Hal rejuvenated the LSM social scene. As Student Council advisor, he created and implemented many of the LSM traditions that stand today: Homecoming, Battle of the Bands, and Talent Show, to name a few. Summers provided Hal with yet another opportunity to impact young lives. For twenty-five years, he served as nature director for Renbrook Summer Adventure Camp, teaching the smallest campers the mysteries, beauty, and hard truths of nature. He will always be remembered fondly as Father Nature. In his private life, Hal was truly a Renaissance man: one might find him, simultaneously, reading Proust, listening to Pavarotti, planning a short story, rooting for his Packers, and arguing his hopelessly conservative politics. A deeply spiritual man and faithful communicant, he proudly served on the vestry for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Above all, however, Hal was, at his heart and with his heart, a devoted family man, sharing a unique bond with his three daughters: a confidant, a coach, a steady rock, a port in a storm, and sometimes, a knight in shining armor. In all he did, Hal, an independent spirit, lived by his own rules and blazed a trail rather than followed one. He leaves his loving family and many friends to carry on his fine legacy: beloved children Sarah, Jessica, and Jennifer (Brian) and adored grandchildren Hattie, Ana, and Birtukhan; sister Ann (Bob) and brothers Thomas (Susan) and John (Wendy) several nieces, nephews, cousins, and his step-mother Lynn; best friend and long-time, loving companion Nina, her family, and their dog Cassie; boyhood chums Jay (Marylee) Bleiler and Gary (Lynna) Maher ; fishing buddies Alex Sgoutas and Ken Hoagland; mentors Bill, Steve, and all the friends of Bill W; and most of all, the countless students, athletes, and campers who carry with them the love of learning he brought to life. The family would like to thank Dr. Banerjee and the tireless medical and nursing staff at St. Francis Hospital, especially the ICU and floor 8 teams. A celebration of Henry’s life will take place Saturday, July 11, 12:00pm in St. Peter’s Church with a reception to follow in Phelps Hall. Comfortable attire, shorts, of course, acceptable. Friends may call at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury on Friday July 10 from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105; St. Peter’s Church, 30 Church Street, Hebron, CT. 06248, or The Douglas Library of Hebron, 22 Main St, Hebron, CT 06248. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.