September 13, 2022

I am so saddened to read this. I was really hoping to reconnect with Mr. Shank and let him know how much of an impact he made in my life during my time as a student at Cedar Crest High School and beyond. Mr. Shank was my homeroom teacher and my journalism advisor from 94-97. He pushed me, at times, to my edge (breaking point). But he knew I could do better and when I did, he celebrated my work, my writing for the school newspaper. This lesson that he taught me resonates with me to this day — pressure makes diamonds. He had a balance of expecting the best from his students, while helping to coach them along. When I didn’t make the softball team, he told to me to stick to writing. I was annoyed and really offended, but he knew what my strengths were and was teaching me with tough love. He was right. I’ve been successful journalist for decades now, and I owe a huge part of my success to the lessons I learned during my time with an excellent teacher, but more importantly, a really great human being. I really wish I had an opportunity to share this with him, but since I can’t, I hope his family knows how much of a positive ripple he’s made in my life and I’m sure many others. May his memory live on. My sincerest condolences to all his loved ones.

June 05, 2022

One of his last of the student cohort from Cedar Crest High School, Mr. Shank taught me so much about literature, writing, and grammar. Thanks to him, I can successfully diagram sentences to a degree that annoys everyone in my life for my grammatical precision! 🙂 He was also my mentor for my senior project and I will always remember him fondly. 
My deepest sympathies and condolences to his family. He was a legend and will never be forgotten! 

December 23, 2021

I am a 1985 graduate of Cedar Crest High School and remember Mr Shank. I had him as my English teacher who encouraged me during my learning challenges. I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends as you go through this process of your loss. May his memories be deeply rooted within your hearts that you will be able to cherish forever. 

December 23, 2021

Dear Shank and Rettew families,
My deepest sympathies to all of you for the passing of Philip. He was a kind and caring man. I met him when he married  Pat . My thoughts and Prayers are with all of you at this time. God Bless !
Sincerely,
Linda Rogers

December 21, 2021

I was a student of Mr. Shank’s at CCHS. I just wanted to say thank you to him for making a difference in my life. Whenever someone asks me who my favorite teacher was I mention him. He was a wonderful person who truly cared about all of us. I’m deeply saddened at his passing. I want his family to know that he was very special. I’m a better person for having known him.

December 21, 2021

Mr. Shank was my favorite teacher. He was funny and taught us how to truly ask questions to find depth in a story. My condolences to your family.

December 20, 2021

My deepest condolences to the family. We are sending prayers of comfort and peace.
Our beloved POS…. our awesome Coach and teacher. I am broken-hearted at having heard of your passing. Your loss leaves a hole in my heart that will never be filled.There are NO words that can never convey the impact you had on so many young lives. You truly loved and cared for your players and students. Your love language was a life of service, teaching, mentoring, coaching, molding and uplifting everyone who you came into contact with. You inspired greatness with your coaching and teaching, and we will never be able to thank you enough, other than through our success. We are who we are in great part because of you.The impact you had on our softball crew in the mid to late 80’s was the highlight of our young lives and perhaps a shining time in your Coaching career. You took an extremely talented, yet ragtag group of girls, and turned us into champions. Even though we didn’t win 1st in the state, (we were simply exhausted from our extra long season), we enthusiastically crushed and dominated, and our passion for fast pitch carried us through it all….and I don’t believe our amazing season has ever been repeated. We did it for the love of the sport but we also did it for YOU. This was all because of your dedication, love, patience and endurance… and how well you knew us ALL and what we could all accomplish together. We respected and loved you like a Dad…. Coach and a friend. You taught us that “Teamwork makes the Dream work,” to be our best on and off the field, self discipline, integrity, and you always had our best interest at heart and never backed down from what was right. You always went to bat for your players and we knew we meant something to you. Even though I graduated in 1988, took classes, married and had a family of my own,  where life with 6 kids became a chaotic collage of sports practices and overlapping seasons, I still always wondered what you were up to and how you were doing.  And I often wondered if we made you proud? It sounds silly for an adult to wonder such things but it still passes through my mind from time to time. I am always your player and you are always my Coach. It’s the dynamic no matter how much time passes. Your presence in our lives carried on throughout adulthood and always fondly lingered. It was memories we made as teammates and students that are ingrained in our minds and hearts. Just as you are, Coach. We hope we made you proud. We will love and miss you forever. P.S. Ok so POS I always wanted to tell you how much it meant to be valued in my LF position. YOU MADE ME EARN IT! You never gave away anything without it being earned. And that in itself was a life lesson. You were tough but caring and I still carry it with me. Also the self esteem it gave me to be in 4 or 5 in the batting order..priceless. You knew me well. Again, you made me earn that spot. It meant everything to me. And even though I was good at the Sac, I hated it because it was the hardest thing to beat the throw to first if your placement was off “just a tinge.” Your word haha. I still use it.  And we are all SO grateful your middle name was Ober and not Ignatious. I can still hear you saying that in class… and us laughing so hard…. your initials are perfect as is. And I will forever have the ring of your favorite “cuss” in my ear “JEEMINI CHRISTMAS’S!” I say it to this day. And one last thing, I finally wear dresses/skirts and recall the crap ton of laps I had to run when I didn’t wear them on game day. Haha But it kept me fit. And you would be proud of me now, Coach. I’ve accomplished so much… we all have. I think I will go have another cry and reach out to some of my teammates. We will reminisce and share some memories. Then cry some more. I love you Coach. Rest easy. 

December 20, 2021

Mr. Shank was a profound influence on me when I was a high school editor of the newspaper at Cedar Crest Hogh School. He taught with kindness, truth and humor. I would not be where I am today without his guidance and belief in me. He was a terrific man, great teacher and will be very missed by so many students who benefitted from his life. All of our thoughts are with his family. 

December 20, 2021

I was so blessed to have this wonderful man as my English teacher, mentor, and softball coach for my high school experience. In my mind I can see him down the third-base line, giving me a signal or cheering encouragement as I came up to bat. After all these years I can still hear voice! To his players he was tough but always kind, and to his students he was the same. I always looked forward to his classes and learned much from him during my time at Cedar Crest. I will always remember him.

December 20, 2021

I am so very sorry for your loss of this great man! Mr. Shank was my beloved teacher and school newspaper advisor. We were a small, close knit group, and he was so much more than a teacher. He was our friend. To his family and loved ones, God bless you all. Love you forever, Mr. Shank. Lisa (Goeke) Kalinowski 

December 20, 2021

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Shank was my teacher and coach and I have many fond memories of him. It was a pleasure to have known and learned from him. My prayers are with your family.

December 19, 2021

To Kelly and family~
Thinking of you in this time of loss.  I cherish the distant memories of interactions with your dad during our high school basketball seasons.  Warmly, Bev Hess Landis

December 19, 2021

Sending condonlences to Philip’s family. Wishing for you God’s comfort and grace as you go through this time of grieving. 

December 17, 2021

Many good memories with Mr. Shank at Cedar Crest High School. My publications & homeroom teacher & funny softball coach. One of the most laid back teachers I’ve ever had. 💙

December 17, 2021

God Bless and may Christ be with you.
Your loving family

December 15, 2021

Please accept both Ralph & My sincere condolence. Each time I was blessed to be in his presence & I will cherish the conversations we shared. He will be sadly missed. Sending prayers to all his loved ones during this time. May he live eternal life now with our Lord & Savior. In Jesus Name Amen🙏

December 15, 2021

We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Doug and Valeria Mills Family