Date Of Birth: January 17, 1953
Date Of Death: November 11, 2006
Jeffrey Gilbert Schalk, 53, a lifelong resident of Guttenberg, passed away November 11, 2006. Jeffrey was the beloved brother of Margaretha Schalk Henry, brother-in-law of Matthew, and dear uncle of Alan, Colin, Garrett and Keith, of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the son of Barbara (Heinz) and Gilbert Schalk, both deceased. Along with his sister, he is survived by his uncle and aunt, Harold and Millie Heinz, and nine cousins. Jeff was a descendent of the Heinz family, early residents of the incorporated town of Guttenberg. His great-grandparents emigrated from Germany in 1885, and settled in Guttenberg in 1893. Their company, The Heinz Bros. Moving and Storage Company, was founded in 1898 and continued to be run by the family until 1972. Jeff’s grandfather, Matthew Heinz, served as the Town Welfare Director for many years, a post his mother, Barbara, assumed after Matthew’s death. His grandfather also served for 50 years as a volunteer fireman with the Eclipse Fire and Hose Company, and as Fire Chief. His great-uncle Peter Heinz served for many years as the Town Clerk. Jeffrey’s passing truly marks an era in Guttenberg’s history. Jeff graduated from North Bergen High School in 1971, The Cooper Union with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1975, and Yale University with a Master of Fine Arts in 1977. He was a dedicated art teacher at Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School for 18 years and an accomplished artist in his own right. His students achieved great artistic success under his direction. He served as the yearbook advisor and was instrumental in starting Graphic Arts courses, which have become a major component of the Art Department. He inspired his students to further their studies in the field of art and graphic design.His sister is indebted to his friends and neighbors for their kindness and concern, especially Robert Kogge, Rich Brunhoffer, the Florio family, and the Ruano Family. Jeff’s life will be celebrated on Sunday, November 19, 2006, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at The Green Kitchen, 7000 Boulevard East, Guttenberg. Free parking is available downstairs. His family will also receive callers from 6:00 p.m. at his home at 6816 Madison Street, Guttenberg. Condolences can reach his sister at her home, 8226 Beech Knoll, Indianapolis, IN, 46256. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to Ridgefield Park High School – Art Scholarship, 1 Ozzie Nelson Drive, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660, where an art scholarship will be established in his name. Jeff was a loving brother, friend and colleague who will be greatly missed.Arrangements entrusted with Harry Moore Family Moore Mortuary, Indianapolis, IN.
Maria Scudella says
I will miss Mr. Schalk he was a great art teacher and yearbook advisor. I had fun working on the yearbook with him my senior year 1998. He will be missed dearly.
Ian Stone says
O SWEET everlasting Voices, be still;
Go to the guards of the heavenly fold
And bid them wander obeying your will,
Flame under flame, till Time be no more;
Have you not heard that our hearts are old,
That you call in birds, in wind on the hill,
In shaken boughs, in tide on the shore?
O sweet everlasting Voices, be still.
–W.B. Yeats
Jennifer McGill says
May you rest in peace. I still have my artwork from my sophmore yr.’93 that you worked on with me. You were a great teacher.
Robert Haimowitz says
Jeff from kindergarten to now was quite a run.
I love you man.
I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter. à Winston Churchill
Some people are so afraid to die that they never begin to live. à Henry Van Dyke
Chris says
Dear friend,
You were more then my art teacher, you were my friend. May you rest in peace now.
Ed says
Rest in peace Jeff. You’ll be missed greatly.
Nancy Cerdas says
Dearest Friend;
We laughed alot! I will miss you deeply. I hope you are at peace and painting the sky!
Nancy
Debra Pinto says
May you be at peace. You will be greatly missed.
Caroline Criscuolo says
May you rest in Peace, I’ll miss your smile
Mercedes Robles says
RIP…MR. Schalk u will be missed
Leonora Colon says
It’s unfortunate that a brilliant, creative, artist/photographer is laid to rest at such a young age. Rest in peace Mr. Schalk. You will be missed in the Guttenburg/Ridgefield Park Community. I still have that blue and purple pottery bowl you helped me out with. I’ll see you up there.
Susanna Dominguez says
As a student of Mr. Schalk’s art classes, he gave me the space to work within my own creative means, allowing be to make chia pets out of clay while the other students were diagraming shapes with pencils. I’ve since moved on to become the art director of an independant newspaper in Colorado, in which I demand the same space for creativity at my job that he gave me back in high school. In that way, his encouragement has directly influenced my career. But all that aside, I remember his classes being really fun. He will be missed.
Andrea Williams says
Mr. Schalk, I will always remember what a great teacher you were. Your dedication as a teacher as well as an artist was truly inspiring. You touched so many lives with your knowledge and patience. You taught us so much, and RPHS will be forever indebted to you. You will forever remain in my heart, mind, and soul. May you rest in peace.
Andrea (Surniak) RPHS Class of ’97
Andrea Williams says
Mr. Schalk, I will always remember what a great teacher you were. Your dedication as a teacher as well as an artist was truly inspiring. You touched so many lives with your knowledge and patience. You taught us so much, and RPHS will be forever indebted to you. You will forever remain in my heart, mind, and soul. May you rest in peace.
Andrea (Surniak) RPHS Class of ’97
Gary Koeppel says
Jeff
Since high school your talents as an artist were a huge inspiration for me and probably the reason I chose to go on to an art college. To this day I often think of you while painting.
Marg
We had some wonderful times together, you and Jeff will always have a special place in my heart.
melissa santos says
rip mr schalk.. you were a great teacher!!!
Evelice says
Dear Mr. Schalk,
You were a great art teacher and wonderful person Rest In Peace.
Jason Surniak says
Mr. Schalk was an extraordinary teacher. He was passionate about his work and always helpful to his students. I remember being apart of the first graphic design class that he started at Ridgefield Park High School. Take care Mr. Schalk; and to his family I offer my condolences.
Pat Bouchard says
Dear Jeff,
You were a wonderful soul and a remarkably intelligent fellow. Peace be unto you ad aeternum.
The members of the faculty at RPJSHS will miss you immensely – not to mention the student body.
Requiescat In Pace, young fellow.
Linda says
Jeff….
Through grammer school, high school, neighbors and then there was Pinnacle…you will be missed…I hope you are in peace.
Linda (DeGrushe)
Robert Kogge says
Jeff
Without your frienship and comradery for the past thirty eight years its hard to imagine that I would have perservered in persuing a career as an artist. What ever success I have had or will ever have is a direct result knowing you. As a friend of yours I was treated as family by your family and as a friend by your friends. My life took a dramatic turn for the better the day I met you.
I love you Jeff
Each friend represents a world within us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and its only by this meeting that a world is born.
-Anais Nin
“Life is trouble,” Zorba continued. “Death, no. To live – do you know what that means? To undo your belt and start looking for trouble!”
-Zorba the Greek
Barbara Hodges says
Dear Jeff,
When I heard that you were gone I was nearly speechless. I had always imagined that all the friends would grow old together. On this last day of the year, a day we always spoke on the phone, I have found my voice.
I will miss your deep warm and loyal friendship, your attractive presence, your candor, your quick wit, your sharp intellect, your gentle personality, your incredible talent, your sense of beauty, your wish for peace on earth, your love of animals and nature, your wildness and your craziness.
When your spirit was liberated a great big bright packet of energy returned to our universe. If indeed there is a Rainbow Bridge, Petunia and all your other critters were surely waiting there to greet you, along with your mom and those friends and loved ones who left before you.
Thank you for everything your were, Jeff, and for all the great times. I promise to pronounce the word BONSAI correctly for the rest of my life, and I love you.
If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice.
–Meister Eckhart
I often think of you, and as I grow older, I think of our youth. It helps me get through the present times. –Renoir to Monet, in a 1919 letter
Brett says
Jeff,
It saddens me to learn so late of your passing. You truly were a wonderful teacher and friend. The future students of Ridgefield Park will never know what they missed. Thank you for the years of dedication and hard work. TO THE END OF AN ERA! CHEERS!
colin henry says
i love you.
Dana says
Mr Schalk …
…I was never one for getting anything on time. Homework, to class, news… I’m sorry I couldn’t have said this sooner -Because I only found out about your passing today- but you will be missed. You were a wonderful teacher .. and it saddens me that when I go back home to NJ and visit RPHS that you wont be one of the faces that I’ll see.
Thank you for your inspiration always.