A candle was lit by Kelly Stambaugh on August 30, 2020 5:10 PM

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I was cleaning off an old bookshelf today. I came across my notebook and syllabus for General Inorganic Chemistry @ HACC Gettysburg taught by Alan DeGennaro in the spring of 2017. I was taking the class as a non-traditional student just wanting to refresh myself on some of the sciences. I hadn't taken a chemistry course in almost 20 years. Prof. DeGennaro assured me that it would quickly come back to me. It did and I learned a lot. As someone who battled cancer in 2003, I was impressed by how open and honest he was about his condition and prognosis. Never bitter, never showed fear, just matter of fact, and willing to share if any one had questions. I admired him for the energy he could bring to the classroom while the other battle was going on. The found notebook brought back memories and I felt inspired to find out where he was and how he was doing. I've heard that immortality is achieved if we are remembered by others. I'm glad that our paths crossed.

A candle was lit by Kelly Stambaugh on August 30, 2020 4:57 PM

Message from Jacob Sanders

Oh wow :( DeG was my favorite teacher of all time by far. I had toooons of great memories with him. I remember his wacky experiments where he pushed to do much cooler ones than what was taught in the book and lots of times it surprised him how they turned out! Dark brown fumes spewing from the cupric acid as he rushed it across the room to the fune hood, the room smelling like bleach when I asked him to try electrolyzing salt water instead of distilled, the Amercium turning out to still be more radioactive than he thought it was! I still take pride in the day where he announced to the class that I nearly had a perfect score on the AP Chem final and was curved to over 100% because he handed out lots of Cs. I also remember DeG wanted to start the Academic Challenge team and I was one of the first people he asked. He always brought in food and coached us up, but just let us have a lot of fun with it too. He looked so proud when we finally started beating some of the other schools!

DeG will be extremely missed!! My heart goes out to everyone in his family ❤️

Jacob Sanders

A candle was lit by Jill & Anthony LeGore on August 21, 2017 10:41 AM

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Sending our deepest sympathies to Barbra and the family at this most difficult time . So many wonderful tributes to Alan on these post. May his soul Rest In Peace, in Heaven with Jesus.

Message from Barbara S DeGennaro

Thank you Jil and Anthony for your kind thoughts about Al....and thank you Jil for coming to Al's rescue in church...
Love,
Barb

A candle was lit by Jill & Anthony LeGore on August 21, 2017 10:33 AM

A candle was lit by Barry, Carole and Nat Abel on August 20, 2017 11:22 AM

A candle was lit by Gretchen and Jack on August 19, 2017 8:12 PM

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Barb, we send you all of our love and blessings. Al was incredibly special to so many of us and God called him all too soon. I will never forget how kind and thoughtful and, yes even funny, he was both in college and later when you and he met up with us ... both out west and in Pennsylvania. Life is a gift, as we have too painfully discovered, and we must cherish all that we can during our journey. God bless.

Message from Barbara S DeGennaro

Thank you Jack and Gretchen for your beautiful thoughts of Al....he was loved and will be missed by so many.
Love,.
Barb

Message from Laura Fondi

Barb, I am so sorry for your loss. I will make a contribution to Habitat for Humanity in Al's name. My love and thoughts are with you! Laura

Message from Barbara S DeGennaro

Thank you Laura for your kind thoughts of Al....he will be missed since he touched so many lives.
Love,
Barb

Message from Laura Fondi

I just made a contribution to York Habitat for Humanity in Al's name. I did not have your e-mail, but wanted you to know. My best to you, Matt and the rest of your family. I have irises that Al gave me years ago. I will think of him and your family and send you a picture of them next spring ...as I think of him!

Message from Alisha Lauritzen

I had Mr. D for chemistry I in 9th grade in 1994. It was my first period and I was extremely shy and nervous. He made the class dun and made me feel comfortable starting high school. I will always remember him for that. I am very sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Message from Barbara S DeGennaro

Thank you Alisha for your kind thoughts of Mr. D.....He loved teaching and his students..
Barb

A candle was lit by JoAnn Murphy on August 18, 2017 7:25 PM

Message from Joshua

Mr. D was my chemistry teacher at Westminster High School for both Chem I and Chem II. His talent for teaching sparked my unexpected interest in chemistry and prepared me well for taking chemistry classes as a freshman in college. In addition to being a great teacher, he was also a really kind and funny person. My condolences to his family.

Message from Barbara S DeGennaro

Thank you Joshua for your kind thoughts of Mr. D. He loved teaching and his students.
Barb

Message from Abby Muth

Mr. D was my Chem 2 teacher at WHS 1996/1997. He was always smiling and truly loved his job. He remembered his students too. I went back to visit him after I graduated and he always remembered me. He will be missed.

Abby Muth (Link)
WHS class of 1998

Message from Barbara S DeGennaro

Thank you Abby for your kind thoughts of Mr. D. He truly love teaching and his students.
Barb

Message from Lisa Curtin

Mr. D was my chemistry teacher at Westminster high school around 1996/97. He was a wonderful teacher who not only cared about his content area, but also his students. I remember that he'd always ask about our sports season and make an effort to congratulate or console after big games.

I'm very sorry for your loss. I hope fond memories bring you some comfort during this difficult time.

Sincerely,
Lisa Curtin (Duke)
WHS Class of 1998

Message from Barbara S DeGennaro

Thank you Lisa for your beautiful remembering of Mr. D. He did indeed care for all of his students.
Barb

Message from Nan Sterner

Barb and family,
So very sorry for your loss. Al was a great neighbor and great person. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family at this time.

Nan and Phil Sterner
(Casino Court)

Message from Barbara S DeGennaro

Thank you for your kind thoughts about Al.
Love,
Barb

A candle was lit by Linda Coe on August 18, 2017 11:14 AM

A candle was lit by Linda Coe on August 18, 2017 11:14 AM

Message from Lance & Nancy Griffin

Barb, Matt and Family, Sending our love, strength and prayers to all of you. Al was a wonderful person and will be missed by all.

Message from Barbara S DeGennaro

Thank you both for your beautiful thoughts about Al...
Love,
Barb

Message from Stan and Nancy Takis

Al and Barb, we love you. It is a privilege and honor to have been the friend of such a great man. May his memory be eternal.

Message from Barbara S DeGennaro

Thank you for your beautiful thoughts about Al.
Love you both,
Barb

Expression of Sympathy

A SPATHIPHYLLUM was sent on August 17, 2017

Melvin and Daphane- Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Nancy, Jed, Amy,, Ellie, Jay and Sarah

A candle was lit by Ant Sharon & Provi on August 17, 2017 8:53 PM

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Our sincere condolences to Matthew and his family. Praying that you will find comfort in God's Word.
Love and Hugs from Florida.

A candle was lit by Provi Alvarez on August 17, 2017 8:47 PM

A candle was lit by Ant Sharon on August 17, 2017 8:46 PM