Dean Plagge
Plagge, Dean, 69, died Monday, August 29, 2005. Memorial service, 1:00 P.M., Friday, Downing Lahey Mortuary West. Plagge was raised in Belle Plaine, KS, played basketball at Kansas State University and was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. His love of sports drew Plagge to coach high school sports at Conway Springs, Haysville and Wamego for many years. He entered school administration with a desire to broaden his impact in education. In 1972 he became principal at Maize High School, and then in 1976 began 22 years of leadership as Goddard High Schools principal. Dean pursued lifelong passions of art, music, hunting and fishing. He is survived by Judith, his wife of 48 years; daughters, Kristin Burling of Partridge, Erika Strandell of Denver, CO; brother, Don of Tampa, FL; sister, Virginia Grier of Ballwin, MO; grandchildren, Alixandria Grier and Erik Dean Burling. Memorials have been established with American Heart Association, P.O. Box 1653, Topeka, KS 66601 and Conway Springs Public Library, 210 W. Spring Ave., Conway Springs, KS 67031.
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What can I say about a man who I loved like a brother? He loved his family with a passion, and was one of the most dedicated men I ever knew. Jim and I both respected him because he was always helpful, always fair, and always had the students in mind. His spirit will live on in the lives he touched. Judy, Kristin and Erika, I love you, too–and I join you in your sorrow.
I graduated from Goddard High School in 1985. In addition to being a great principal Mr. Plagge was a great mentor and a person I consider a friend. When I stumbled my sophomore year and made what could have been a detrimental mistake, Mr. Plagge stood beside me and believed in me. I went on to serve as an office aide my Junior and Senior years where I got to know him even better. I hope that teachers and principals know how important they are and how much impact they have on their student’s lives. Mr. Plagge definately had a positive impact on mine and I will never forget him. He believed in my potential and I will always appreciate him for that. My heartfelt symphathy goes out to his family. May you find comfort in your memories of this great man who has touched so many people’s lives. Thank You Mr. Plagge.
I am a 1980 graduate of Goddard High School, and Mr. Plagge was one of the most influential people in my life. I’m sorry to hear of his passing, but he will live on in all the students lives he touched. He will be truly missed. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Dear Family: My husband and I graduated Goddard in 1985 and 1987 respectively. As I am sure you heard many times at home 1985 was a class that Mr. Plagge was probably relieved to see graduate! We thank you for sharing him with us and thank him for guiding us, caring about and for us. Mr. Plagge was a man of character and inspired us to achieve. My husband William was in Mr. Plagge’s office enough to know him well–I on the other hand did not get an opportunity to go to his office until my senior year. I would like to share the story with you, truly a classic Mr. Plagge moment! I was testing the limits my senior year and thought it was ‘cute’ to call him Mr. Dean Plagge. I did this every opportunity I got, when I saw him in the hall, at lunch, in the commons–one day he asked me to his office. He said, ‘Cyndi, while you are still a student in this building you will refer to me as Mr. Plagge, not Mr. Dean Plagge. When you are no longer a student here, then you may call me Dean.’ As I walked up to him tearfully at graduation, I took my diploma and said, ‘Thank you Mr. Dean Plagge.’ He chuckled, shook his head and patted my head. When we came back to the district as parents, Mr. Plagge (not Dean–always Mr. Plagge couldn’t call him anything else, too much respect) helped me with a situation with our son. He chuckled with me about how far William and I had come and how we were now parents. He helped me as I knew he would– He will be missed, he left his mark on many, and we thank him for giving of himself to help ‘grow’ a bunch of kids– he had the wisdom to see we would be something someday. Deepest Sympathy, William and Cynthia (Troy) Gibbs William, Nathan and Nicholas Gibbs
Mr. Dean Plagge, your husband, brother, father, and friend was truly an important person in my life. He gave me several opportunities at Goddard High School to become a better teacher, coach, and most importantly, a better person. Even after he had retired from Goddard he took the time to continue to try and help me and my family with letters of recommendation, mentoring, and being a person that I knew that I could call or visit for advice. As you know, it was very important to Mr. Plagge that everyone keep trying to learn. For example, this summer he had called and highly recommended that I purchase the book, ‘Coach’ by Michael Lewis. I believe that Erika had given him a copy. I not only was told to read the book and share it with my sons, but also to call him back and discuss my opinion of the book. We discussed the book on the phone just a few weeks ago. It was a phone call that I will now remember for a long time. We not only discussed the book but other items and opinions; plus it gave me an opportunity to share with him my personal respect for his years at Goddard High School. Now, I feel even more fortunate for that conversation and I realize that I have genuinely profited by knowing Mr. Plagge. I will always treasure his friendship. May the Lord be with you and your family–and may you find healing in the memories and the love that you share.
Dean will be greatly missed at sculpture class. He was always helpful and fun to talk with.
Judy, Erika, and family, I was shocked and very saddened to see the passing of Dean. He was a very special person to me when I was in High School as he always had a smile on his face when I said ‘Hi’. 🙂 Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I would like to come to the memorial, but I have to work on Friday. Take care and know that I will miss ‘Mr. Plagge’. 🙂 Lorrie Stelz http://www.ksarda.org/lorriestelz.shtml
I’ll miss you brightening up my day when I came to sculpt. I see you as a sculptor of men as well as of clay and I am thankful for your touch in my life.