Doc 'Hawk,' Mathematics and Revolution: MSS in the 1970’s.

Dr. Karl Hackstetter, the dry details read, taught Mathematics at MSS from 1969 until he retired in 1985.

Last of the great chalk throwers, disciplinarian, great teacher for some and misery for others.

How do we understand the man and reconcile these contradictory views?

Each day at MSS he arrived in a suit and tie, or, egad, in a bow tie! 

These were the years in which his daughter, and other non conformists led the charge to wear blue jeans to class. Can you imagine? ‘Buzz’ Brown, Principal, did not know what to do.

Math, unlike some classes, was one you had to pay attention to the teacher.

Chris Thompson only asked for silence in the Library. All of us can now spell library.

The Hawk required attention, concentration, understanding and comprehension. Please Mr. So and So. - he addressed you by your surname, hovering over you hawk-like, explain this theorem.

Meanwhile, you had just figured out the multiplication table, what was this crap with polynomial equations? I get the triangles, but that calculation that, that…. the sum of the hypotenuse is equal to the square of the other two sides?

The chalk throwing…no, no, no, not just the chalk, but the brush as well in which the hapless victim is dusted white and has the entire attention of the class.

Let me assure you, these events were rare. Demonstrations of that  principle: Control your class or they will control you.

Many students, all successful in one way or another are testament to his  teaching skills. They were unanimous in their praise, either good or bad. “I learned Math, which I hated, which I feared, with Dr. H. Couldn’t stand his class! He kicked me out!” Typical.

Thomas Paradis recounted that he had a poor test score and feared divine retribution as only a Paradis can.

The hour he came before the Doc to discuss his sins he was afraid. His account sounded as if he had come before the master, worked through the math, and suddenly, in a revelatory flash, Thomas gained insight!

Dr. H’s eyes lit up, Thomas said, “See! See! I knew you could get it!” Error was essential to the answer.

Redemption through erring? This was math, not theology.

True passion was teaching ideas to students that may never benefit. Faith, that even if they were to retain a fraction of that information, it would add immeasurably to the sum total of their understanding.

More than one or two words on the back story.

Karl’s father died in 1932. A career in the Air Force, like his father’s, was a non-starter as he wore specs.

Lt. SV. 288. Panzer Grenadiers. He is 24. Poland, Crete and North African Campaigns.

Defeat and surrender in Libya. P. O.W., Camp Trinidad, U.S.A. Return Home and Würzburg, his hometown destroyed. He is 30.

Returned to University of Tübingen as the Red Cross was providing food to the  international students. Met a beautiful Scots lass there.Their profs introduced  them.

Emigrated from Germany with a PhD in Philology and a penchant for mathematics. Starts a new life in Canada. Prosaic isn’t it?

Nope. Picked the sand leaves from tobacco in Delhi and peas in Strathroy before a position in Northern Ontario where he was overqualified and not that welcomed.

Tough to gain acceptance. Son. Student. Soldier. Refugee. Emigrant. Pea Picker. Teacher. Father.

These are facts. Can we see the man?

The life of men are acts. If you bring to the life of a student knowledge, great! If you bring him illumination, you have served with honour. He left his mark. Thank you Dr. Hackstetter. *

René Hackstetter February 4, 2021.

* The author is Dr. Hackstetter’s eldest son.