Tuesday, July 26, 2011

In Memory

John Weston Corbeil, artist, age 90, passed away in the arms of his loving family July 24, 2011 in McCall, Idaho. Brave, noble, and strong-willed to his last breath, John gave his family a treasured life and healing death.

Condolences may be left in the comments below or on a facebook page dedicated to his memory.

31 comments:

  1. John was my supervising teacher when I was preparing to become a college art instructor myself. I will always remember his generosity, vitality, and willingness to whatever means necessary to pass his love and enthusiasm for art and life on to his students.
    I also send my regards to Piper and Mark, best neighbors we ever had on Blackbird Way in Calabasas, CA. Diane Calder Belsley

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was so sorry to hear about this loss. I only met John at Drew and Bri's wedding but he had a magnetic presence about him and it was obvious he was a great man. The love, respect, and adoration your family had for him and he had for all of you was so strong and evident to everyone who witnessed it.
    Just the way Bri has always talked about him- your summers at the cabin, his job at the college, his love of painting- I know he meant a great deal to all of you. You're so lucky to have his paintings- each one is like a little piece of him.

    Keeping you in my thoughts,
    Faith

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was very sorry to hear about Mr. Corbiel's passing. I still have 3 ceramic pieces from his class at Canoga Park High School in 1959.

    Tom Hogston, Topanga

    ReplyDelete
  4. So sorry to hear today of John's passing. You all hold dear memories in my heart from McCall, where I grew up.
    God Bless You,
    Anita Kobza (Nourse)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bob andBbarbara ScheibelAugust 7, 2011 at 2:11 PM

    So sorry to hear about John's passing, but our generation is getting to that stage. He was a great teacher and friend. We have been to several CPHS reunions and he was asked about more than any other teacher. John and Pat's zest for life influenced us greatly. John was a great story teller. I still remember his description of what was involved in flushing the toilet in a submerged submarine. Bob and Barbara Scheibel

    ReplyDelete
  6. Though I don't know Mr. Corbeil...I felt compelled to offer my sympathies. I was very touched by your obituary of your beloved family member. In viewing his military picture to the years that grew on him over the years...his smile drew me in to read about his life. My hope is that it is ok with you that I have posted a condolence as I have never done this before. I often read obituaries of our fallen soldiers, I feel it is the most honorable thing I can do for someone who has given so much. When I read Mr. Corbeil's I had just finished the book "Unbroken", it made me look at Mr. Corbeil and wonder about his military life, and the years of service. To end...I have placed the lovely saying on "creativity" in a very special book I keep quotes in as it ignited a flame of inspiration. He must have been magical in his art and a treasure to you all. With my sincerest regards,
    Mary Ann Santrach
    Escondido, CA

    ReplyDelete
  7. John was my office-mate when I was starting out as an instructor at Pierce. Since I didn't have much experience in the ways of managing students and fellow teachers, John took me under his wing--as did the other fabulous professors at Pierce--and showed me with his kind smile how to do it. He never failed to have an interesting lesson-for-the-day for me and for students. His generosity seemed to be boundless. How many profs would take students around in a VW van to show them Europe on his summer break? That wonderful willingness to share encouraged me eventually to offer study abroad programs with students. He showed me that it was possible and it has been one of the most rewarding things I've done as a teacher.
    When John retired I was sad to not see his smiling face around the hall. I know he wanted to spend more time with his many children and grandchildren. What a full life he led and how very many people he affected with his enthusiasm for it!
    Connie Moffatt

    ReplyDelete
  8. I just learned of Mr. Corbeil's passing. I've thought of him often over the years and that he might be long gone. How nice he got such a long life to spend with his family. My condolences to you all.

    I was his drawing student at Pierce in 1972-73, and in that short time he made a lifelong impression. I never forgot him. What other teacher would invite you to his home high atop Topanga Canyon for an end-of-the-semester open house? I was so impressed with the skylight for his studio. And the physical therapy railings he had proudly built for his father (I hope I am remembering correctly), who was living there at the time.

    I want to share a story… back in the day there was a disclaimer that the instructor could keep student artwork at their discretion as examples for future classes. At the end of the semester, I asked for some of my drawings of cows returned, as they had come out nicely and I wanted them in my portfolio. He reluctantly opened his file drawer, and I got a couple back, but then he told me that was all and slammed the drawer shut! He told me, "I don't have to give you any back, you know!" as if he was doing me a big favour. (The outer crustiness never completely hid the tender man inside.) I never knew what became of my other drawings. I had to take it as a compliment that they were good enough to share, there was no way I was getting them back! I often smile when I remember this wonderful teacher, who I am glad was a part of my life experience.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Los Angeles Times LegacySeptember 6, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Dear Corbeil Family, I have known your father for over 40 years and through him met you Robin whom I am proud to call a soul sister and Michael Federson who holds a very special part of my heart but it is you Mr. Corbeil who I am truly blessed to have met. The only reason I took your class was because I needed an “easy” class to round out my schedule only to find your class was anything but easy. You were an exacting teacher with high standards and expected all of us to do only our very best even if we didn’t have an artistic bone in our body (me) and this was made very clear the day you took us on a tour of Peirce’s cow farm with our pad and pencil to draw that darn “continues cow”. A forewarning of this little trip would have been nice so some of us could have worn the proper shoes and not the sandals I always wore but I must admit washing cow patties off my shoes and feet was a nice treat on that hot day.
    I could go on with remembrances’, all of which make my heart smile, but Mr. Corbeil I have always thanked the Lord for having you in my life because of what you taught me about life, love and family and seeing you interact with your children, your wonderful wife, Pat, and your students. You are a remarkable man for all the lives you have touched and making the world a brighter place. You were blessed by the hand of our Lord and in turn blessed us. Lovingly, Jackie Lipps Perkins

    Shawn: I saw this today and thought of you, i remember you speaking highly of you father when you talked about growing up. I wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you at this time. Luke Claus. LACoFD

    We are sorry to hear about John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. McCall will not be the same without him. Dell and Fern Stubblefield ( McCall, Idaho)
    ~ Dell Stubblefield, McCall, Idaho

    Our deepest sympathy goes out to John Corbeil's beautiful family. What wonderful memories we have of him as our art teacher both at Canoga High & Pierce College. His inspiration helped give us the confidence to follow our dreams to be artists ourselves when we moved to Hawaii in 1970. We will continue to keep him in our hearts always.
    a warm aloha from,
    Ilona & Michael Hemperly
    Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
    ~ Ilona Hemperly, Haleiwa, Hawaii

    My heartfelt sympathy to John's amazing family. He was a dear man, and I know he will be greatly missed. Hold each other close and cherish your memories. There are so many intriguing stories touched on in his obituary, and so many more that couldn't be included. Rick and I spent a June weekend at the cabin with Marc and Piper and experienced first hand the beauty you have there as part of John's legacy.
    In sympathy, Roberta Crockett and Rick Johnson
    ~ Roberta Crockett, Boise, Idaho

    I am sorry to hear that John has died. He was a delightful person. I greatly enjoyed our talks when he was teaching, as am I, at Pierce.
    ~ Marjorie Hoskinson, Thousand Oaks, California

    I am sad to learn of John's passing. In reading this article about him it is wonderful to know that he lived a long full life. I met John when studying art at Pierce Community College. I learned a lot about painting from him and I am remembering the times he would read his poetry to the class while smoking his pipe. He will not be forgotten. My condolences to his family at this difficult time.
    Marge Rheuban
    ~ Marge Rheuban, Woodland Hills, California

    ReplyDelete
  10. I offer my sincere condolences to you all. Although I never had the opportunity to meet your father/husband, I have the gift of knowing a number of you, his family, and I believe his greatest legacy of all.
    Sincerely,
    Sally Hunt

    ReplyDelete
  11. Doug and Jenny ThwaitesOctober 5, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    14 September 2011
     
    Dear Pat, Robin and the Corbeil family,
     
    Thank you so much, Robin, for writing to us at Pat's request to let us know of the great man's passing.  This still is a shock to us even though we knew he kept poor health in his latter years.
     
    We will always remember him for his unique and endearing ways.  It was a privilege to have experienced his keen mind, his wit and sagacity, his generosity, his "youthful" curiosity, his optimism, his wisdon and unfailing friendliness.
     
    As I said to you, back some years now, I doubt whether he would have achieved as much in his life were it not for his "rock", the love of his life, you Pat, and although you will miss him unbearably it was, indeed, merciful that you had each other for so long.  So many profited from your strong partnership, family most, friends (among whom we gratefully count ourselves) and students and, I imagine, adversaries of one kind and another whom John put right about the world and matters in general.
     
    I/we think it was particularly special that in his last days he was able to be at the cabin-such a significant place in all of your lives and his and to finally depart his wonderfully fun life in the arms of so many of his loved ones.
     
    Jenny and I extend our heartfelt sympathy and love to you all.  We will remember the Big Man with especial fondness.
     
    Love and best wishes at this hardest of times.
     
    Doug and Jenny Thwaites

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jackie Lipps PerkindsAugust 5, 2012 at 5:39 PM

    August 09, 2011
    Dear Corbeil Family, I have known your father for over 40 years and through him met you Robin whom I am proud to call a soul sister and Michael Federson who holds a very special part of my heart but it is you Mr. Corbeil who I am truly blessed to have met. The only reason I took your class was because I needed an “easy” class to round out my schedule only to find your class was anything but easy. You were an exacting teacher with high standards and expected all of us to do only our very best even if we didn’t have an artistic bone in our body (me) and this was made very clear the day you took us on a tour of Peirce’s cow farm with our pad and pencil to draw that darn “continues cow”. A forewarning of this little trip would have been nice so some of us could have worn the proper shoes and not the sandals I always wore but I must admit washing cow patties off my shoes and feet was a nice treat on that hot day.
    I could go on with remembrances’, all of which make my heart smile, but Mr. Corbeil I have always thanked the Lord for having you in my life because of what you taught me about life, love and family and seeing you interact with your children, your wonderful wife, Pat, and your students. You are a remarkable man for all the lives you have touched and making the world a brighter place. You were blessed by the hand of our Lord and in turn blessed us. Lovingly, Jackie Lipps Perkins

    Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/idahostatesman/guestbook.aspx?n=john-corbeil&pid=152874300#storylink=cpy

    ReplyDelete
  13. August 07, 2011
    Shawn: I saw this today and thought of you, i remember you speaking highly of you father when you talked about growing up. I wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you at this time. Luke Claus. LACoFD

    Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/idahostatesman/guestbook.aspx?n=john-corbeil&pid=152874300#storylink=cpy

    ReplyDelete
  14. August 07, 2011
    We are sorry to hear about John's passing. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends. McCall will not be the same without him. Dell and Fern Stubblefield ( McCall, Idaho)
    ~ Dell Stubblefield, McCall, Idaho

    Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/idahostatesman/guestbook.aspx?n=john-corbeil&pid=152874300#storylink=cpy

    ReplyDelete
  15. August 02, 2011
    Our deepest sympathy goes out to John Corbeil's beautiful family. What wonderful memories we have of him as our art teacher both at Canoga High & Pierce College. His inspiration helped give us the confidence to follow our dreams to be artists ourselves when we moved to Hawaii in 1970. We will continue to keep him in our hearts always.
    a warm aloha from,
    Ilona & Michael Hemperly
    Sunset Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
    ~ Ilona Hemperly, Haleiwa, Hawaii

    Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/idahostatesman/guestbook.aspx?n=john-corbeil&pid=152874300#storylink=cpy

    ReplyDelete
  16. August 02, 2011
    My heartfelt sympathy to John's amazing family. He was a dear man, and I know he will be greatly missed. Hold each other close and cherish your memories. There are so many intriguing stories touched on in his obituary, and so many more that couldn't be included. Rick and I spent a June weekend at the cabin with Marc and Piper and experienced first hand the beauty you have there as part of John's legacy.
    In sympathy, Roberta Crockett and Rick Johnson
    ~ Roberta Crockett, Boise, Idaho

    Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/idahostatesman/guestbook.aspx?n=john-corbeil&pid=152874300#storylink=cpy

    ReplyDelete
  17. Marjorie HoskinsonAugust 5, 2012 at 5:43 PM

    August 01, 2011
    I am sorry to hear that John has died. He was a delightful person. I greatly enjoyed our talks when he was teaching, as am I, at Pierce.
    ~ Marjorie Hoskinson, Thousand Oaks, California

    Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/idahostatesman/guestbook.aspx?n=john-corbeil&pid=152874300&page=2#storylink=cpy

    ReplyDelete
  18. August 01, 2011
    I am sad to learn of John's passing. In reading this article about him it is wonderful to know that he lived a long full life. I met John when studying art at Pierce Community College. I learned a lot about painting from him and I am remembering the times he would read his poetry to the class while smoking his pipe. He will not be forgotten. My condolences to his family at this difficult time.
    Marge Rheuban
    ~ Marge Rheuban, Woodland Hills, California

    Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/idahostatesman/guestbook.aspx?n=john-corbeil&pid=152874300&page=2#storylink=cpy

    ReplyDelete
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