Unfortunately, as we are all aware, the Harrison community has a lost a beacon of positivity and kindess: Mr. Steve Coffman. Mr. Coffman was a very funny and smart man who the community of Harrison was fortunate to have known. His personality wasn’t only limited to Harrison, though. He had ties as basketball coach as far west as University of Indianapolis and as far east as St. Bernard-Elmwood Place, with many other schools in between. He coached golf at Delta High School and East Central, cross country in Harrison, as well as softball at East Central and Harrison.
Of course, he wasn’t just a coach. He taught a wide variety of math subjects here at Harrison. 7th and 8th grade math, Algebra I, Algebra II, Algebra II CP, Statistics, Math Modeling and Reasoning, Math Applications, and Financial Math were all subjects he taught with humor, in an easy-to-digest way, and with immense passion.
He was always seen in a clean suit. He said he even mowed the lawn in a suit. Rumor has it that he was born with a snazzy suit and tie!
Even when wearing fun things like obnoxious sunglasses or a pink tutu, he still had a clean suit on. Many people attended Mr. Coffman’s viewing and funeral wearing suits and running shoes as a tribute to their friend and co-worker.
He was full of dad jokes and nicknames. For example, he called Ms. Keller “TK.”
Many previous students expressed on social media that Mr. Coffman was the only reason they had the motivation to graduate. He offered advice everyone will remember for lifetimes. Many students attended his viewing and/or funeral, to say goodbye and thank you to someone who had been such an important part of their lives.
One former student and 2022 graduate, Ken Saxon, honored Mr. Coffman by remembering a lesson he taught using the “What would you do for a Klondike Bar jingle.” Ken, along with the PTO, sponsored a faculty lunch that included Klondike Bars in his memory.
Our school responded with compassion and sympathy, having days off for bereavement: Friday, May 1st, and Friday May 8th, and having grief counselors in the building.
Many teachers have extended their due dates for late work to help with student pressure.
Students were able to give flowers and letters to Mr. Coffman’s family, as well as attend Mr. Coffman’s funeral, Friday, May 8th. The Art 1 class made an art piece that folded paper cranes following the Japanese tradition of mourning people by folding 1000 cranes, and many flower arrangements were sent to the high school. A group of recently retired teachers even sponsored a faculty lunch to help out.
We can’t help but think Mr. Coffman would be proud of how people have been pulling together, being kind, and looking for ways to help the people around them. That was how he lived his life, after all. We miss you, Mr. Coffman. You were amazing, and we will try to live up to your memory. Only 96 days until school starts!
