Harvey Korb

Harvey Korb lived a life rich in family and service to others. A natural leader, Harvey carried himself with dignity and discipline, integrity and honor, vision and generosity. He believed in the goodness of others and the importance of clear, consistent expectations generated from a desire to inspire others to their very best selves. A devoted father, grandfather, teacher, and mentor, Harvey was a living role model for many. Harvey's legacy will long live in the hearts of those he loved.
1928 continued to ride the decade's roaring wave of peace, prosperity, and hope. The nation celebrated the recent inventions of Penicillin, the iron lung, bubble gum, and the Yo-Yo, as well as Charles Lindbergh's Congressional Medal of Honor and Amelia Earhart becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. As the wave of sweeping social and economic growth rapidly increased nowhere was there more hope for the future than in the Calio, ND farmhouse of Anna (Janowski) and Peter Korb as they welcomed their third child and only son, Harvey into their family on June 22.
Harvey grew up on a 640-acre farm that his father rented for about 20 years until shortly after the Depression when his parents bought the property in 1942. The house only had three rooms, a long shanty entry, and a screened porch on the back. The cellar's dirt floor was always cool and the family stored root vegetables there throughout the year. Though the Depression weighed heavy on the family, they had good neighbors and everyone helped each other get by. There was no money exchanged, just generosity, goodwill, and a determination that together they would all make it through the dark time. Harvey and his two older sisters slept in a bed in the front room next to the parlor stove. During the summer months, they moved out onto the back porch which was always a real treat. The home didn't have clothes closets just a singular simple four-drawer dresser for the entire family. As the nearest neighbors lived a mile away, the Korb children grew to be friends as well as siblings.
In 1938 Harvey's 13 year old sister Jeanette died at home from rheumatic fever. He first learned she had passed away when, from his seat in the schoolroom, he heard the bell toll in the church tower.
Harvey attended school through the eighth grade in Calio which was three miles from the farm, and where his sister Ethel and his Aunt Olivia were his teachers. Several times during the winter when the weather was too bad for travel, he and his sisters stayed with their grandmother near the school. They made lard sandwiches for their lunches and stored them in the school windowsill until it was time to eat. He long recalled how his grandma required them to wear socks over their shoes in her house because she didn't want the oil from the schoolroom floors to mark up her floor.
For his high school education, Harvey attended ninth through twelfth grade in Egeland, ND which was six miles from the farm. During the rough winters, Harvey stayed with the family of the town barber. Deeply committed to their children's education, Harvey's parents paid 20 dollars a month per child to stay at the barber's home.
After graduating from Egeland High School, Harvey attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota from 1946-1950. He liked to have things in their place and one night got up in the wee hours to straighten up after his roommates. He worked in the campus cafeteria and fondly remembered after the kitchen was cleaned up, the cook would bring out the leftover cream pies for the workers to eat. This time in the lunchroom strengthened Harvey's belief in the importance that everyone "clean up after themselves". During his four years of college, Harvey majored in chemistry, biology and life science. He also earned a minor in psychology. He was absent from classes in the Spring to help with livestock on the home farm, but quickly caught up with the help of roommates on his return to classes. Harvey completed his student teaching in Lamoure, ND.
In 1950 Harvey married Clara Hoffart and began his teaching career in Napoleon, ND where he taught Adult Agriculture to military veterans. While living in Napoleon, Harvey and Clara were blessed with the births of their first two children, Marcia and Carroll.
In the fall of 1953, Harvey moved his family to Westbrook, MN where they made their home in an upstairs rental apartment. While in Westbrook, Harvey found work as a substitute teacher and worked for Minnesota Valley Breeders as artificial inseminator for dairy cows. The family grew to include two more children when Mark and Marge were born.
1956 brought a move to Butterfield, MN. They lived first in a farmhouse and then purchased a home in town. Here the family continued to grow when Mary and Laura were born. Mr. Korb took his first public high school teaching position where he taught chemistry, biology and vocational agriculture. After living in Butterfield for nearly ten years, in 1965 the family moved to St. Charles where daughter Jyll was born.
While Mr. Korb primarily taught through his actions, he did have a few mantras he regularly espoused. He believed it was crucial to "show respect to everyone regardless of race, color or creed; they are all people and have good qualities; you can't always judge a book by its cover." He believed that all people should be treated as equals and often referenced a quote from the movie, South Pacific, "You have to be taught before it's too late before you are six or seven or eight." Mr. Korb encouraged others to "appreciate every day that you have; you never know what tomorrow will bring" and that it was important to leave things better than the way they were found. Mr. Korb was quick to pick up on inconsistencies between what someone said and their behavior or body language, "your actions speak so loudly, I can't hear what you are saying." Harvey possessed a keen sense of discernment about an individual's character within seconds of meeting them. He had respect for people of all social status. He was especially sensitive and aware of service workers and was quick to identify with them and support them.
A teacher of agriculture, life science, biology and chemistry, Mr. Korb also served as the advisor of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). A diligent teacher, he recreated his lessons each year to make sure the material was fresh. He never used the same quiz or test more than once. He wore a suit and tie every day, both during the school day and at extracurricular events. He was an example of, "the way you look matters." He was a strict disciplinarian in the classroom. He made it clear that "If I send you out of class you can come back. If you leave on your own it will be tougher to get back in." Mr. Korb's expectations were high and his students had the desire to meet them. His signature raised eyebrow was his unspoken method of getting your attention. His classrooms were organized and clutter free. His belief in his students was unwavering as evidenced in his generous encouragement and praise. Parents might get a hand written, personal note mailed to the home to complement their son or daughter's initiative and accomplishments.
For a number of years, Mr. Korb served as the assistant principal. Both in the classroom and as an administrator, he had a vested interest in all aspects of the school culture. He influenced students in life skills such as respect, accountability, and integrity in addition to their academic achievements. Many students sought his advice, and many new teachers learned effective classroom management under his mentorship. Over the years, former students stopped to see Mr. Korb upon returning home to visit their families.
Harvey was never one to be idle and always kept busy. Snow days and Holiday breaks would find him completing projects at home or for others. An example is painting the hallways and classrooms at the High School. Summers were spent as a painter. Over the years he employed his children so they could earn money for college. They painted houses, barns, corn cribs and other out buildings. He continued with indoor painting and wallpapering long after retiring from his career in education in 1990.
Harvey's heart was always centered on living a life of service. He was an active member of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Minister. He was an amateur carpenter and was involved in building Christmas scenes for the church and many stage sets for school plays and proms.
Harvey enjoyed working as a Dayton's Shopper. In the process of critiquing sales personnel, he had the added benefit of being able to gift shop for his family. He had a good eye for quality and knew what styles were in fashion.
Harvey's family was very important to him and he loved being in the comforts of his own home. Every year he sent a Valentine card and gift of personal significance to each of his five daughters. He was quite a baker and would get up at 4 a.m. to start the process of raising dough to make caramel rolls. In addition to family get-togethers, he took dozens of rolls to his office at school and also shared with staff at local businesses. Following his son Mark's death, the family spent Sundays together at Harvey's home where he prepared fried chicken or roast beef and all the fixings. Grandpa Harvey loved babies. He was at his most content with holding a grand or great-grand baby to his shoulder rocking and patting the baby to sleep. Harvey relished in the treasured time with those he loved. When asked by his children "What's your biggest worry, Dad?" He unhesitatingly answered, "That you're ok."
Following retirement, Harvey developed an interest in world travel and visited many countries. He journaled carefully and each trip had pictures and notes about the land, architecture, foods and cultures.
Harvey's home was important to him. He enjoyed gardening and took great care and pride in his rose garden and flowerbeds which were a colorful fixture on Church Avenue. He was fastidious about yard care and was often inspired to move the sprinkler in the middle of the night while clad in only his briefs. He enjoyed caring for and riding his horse, Penny. Giving his grandchildren rides on Penny was a special time for both Harvey and rider.
Harvey will be missed. May it give you comfort to know that anytime we wear a tie, insist on being our best, give of our time and talents, or pick out a paint color for our home, we celebrate his legacy in our own lives. In this way, we ensure that his spirit continues to inspire others as he inspired us.
Harvey Ernest Korb, 90, of St. Charles, died Thursday, December 20, 2018, at Cottagewood Senior Communities in Rochester.
Harvey is survived by his children; Marcia (Dave) Morrill of Rochester, MN; Carroll (Dennyce) Korb of Rapid City, SD; Marge (George) McIntire of St. Charles, MN; Mary Abbott of Rochester, MN; Laura (Scott) Johnston of San Carlos, CA; Jyll (Mike) Buringa of St. Charles; Grandchildren Mical (Jon) Peterson of Richfield, MN; Dana (Josh) Asleson of Rochester, MN; Melissa (Rob Dempsey) Korb of Houston, TX; Tamara (Mark) Schroeher of Minneapolis, MN; Brian (Elle) McIntire of St. Charles, MN; Amanda Vermilya of Rochester, MN; Erin Abbott of Antigo, WI; Whitney (Ian) Prock of Minneapolis, MN; Adrian Abbott of Eau Claire, WI; Peter, Benjamin and Adam Johnston of San Carlos, CA; Laura Buringa of Rochester, MN; Mark, Emilee and Grace Buringa of St. Charles, MN; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Eileen Beck and Sister Maris Stella Korb. In addition to his parents, Harvey was preceded in death by his sisters Jeanette Korb and Ethel (Vincent) Hettwer, and his son Mark Korb.
A Funeral Mass for Harvey will be 11 a.m. Monday, December 31, 2018, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Charles, with the Reverend Tim Biren officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, December 30, 2018, and one hour before services on Monday. Please share a memory of Harvey at his online guestbook and view his video tribute at www.hofffuneral.com. Hoff Funeral Service of St. Charles is assisting the family with arrangements.
Memorials are preferred to St. Charles Foundation for Academic Excellence, in lieu of flowers. https//givemn.org/St-Charles-Foundation-For-Academic-Excellence
Pallbearers : Mical Peterson, Melissa Korb, Brian McIntire, Erin Abbott, Peter Johnston, Laura Buringa.