Comments on: Share Memories of Mr. Peach

By: Bryce Bower

Bryce Bower — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:34:04 +0000

After reading what follow students have said about Mr. Peach. What can I say. One of my memories of Mr. Peach. A very good friend of mine was killed in a car accident at the end of my Jr. year. I wanted to go to the funeral but I had a U.S. history final. Mr. Peach said to me ” I don’t usually do this but in this case I will let you take your test early”. He was a very understanding person. The man had drive and purpose like no other. UCA is a better place because of him. May you rest in your Saviour, And we’ll see you in that Morning Mr. Peach.

By: Marlene (Hubbs) Brault

Marlene (Hubbs) Brault — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:43:50 +0000

Dear Viola,
It is with a sad heart that I write this note to you. Just heard of the passing of Olin. I am so sorry, what a loss, there are no word to say…..I have missed seeing you over the years at our class reunions, maybe sometime you can make it….would love to see you.
Just know that there are alot of people praying for you and family. the Lord is with us thru it all and it makes him sad too.
Love and Prayers,
Marlene

By: Linnea Torkelsen

Linnea Torkelsen — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 04:15:48 +0000

UCA was given a special gift in Olin Peach. As Alumni Director, I delighted in seeing him arrive early at every Alumni weekend meeting. He stood at the door in order to catch as many of his friends as he could… It’s true that he had an big impact on many lives … but you impacted his life with joy as well… May the inspiration of his dedication live on in all of you as you pick up where he left off…

By: Burgess Grubbs

Burgess Grubbs — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:00:45 +0000

August 25 1990. A day that will remain in my memory for a couple of reasons, but one is because Olin Peach walked up to me and asked if I was related to Harry. Grubbs. Little did he know that this simple question took away a big lump in the pit of my stomach. I knew instantly that I had at least 2 friends in Spangle, and the years proved that to be true. Through out our years together we always had a common bond. He had worked with my brother at Broadview Academy in Illinois. From the trips to the ski hills to the trips to Mexico, how could anyone not learn that this man was the only one of his kind. Those that took his mission trips, and continue to do so, will leave a protion on Olin Peach in every school, hospital, dormitory, or church that they build where ever they build them.

By: Cynthia (Fuller) Spevack

Cynthia (Fuller) Spevack — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 04:52:51 +0000

I am grateful to have known Olin. I went on 4 of the Borneo trips, and got to witness first hand how Olin’s love and enthusiasm for life touched so many people. He had a way of making each person feel very needed and special.

By: Shari (Kromrei) Krall

Shari (Kromrei) Krall — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 21:11:37 +0000

The first time I met Peach my freshman year, he asked me if I was related to a certain woman. After I told him that person was my aunt, he grinned and said he went to Gem State with her. Peach was such a fun and easy-going conversationalist. Seemed like he always had a story or an adventure to tell. And it didn’t matter what age; he could easily talk with anyone. Teso Paco, Mexico – every time I think of that trip, Peach is in the middle of every thought. He taught me how to lay brick and ask for more mortar – but he also taught me how to do it with a smile. Peach is the one who got me hooked on the news. I appreciate reading and listening to the news, I feel, because he taught me it was important to be informed every day and to develop discernment about what I learn from the news.

I was able to visit with him several times as we’ve visited the campus over recent years. Each time, I was impressed about how he could remember what we talked about previously (I couldn’t) – with several months in between. He’d ask follow-up questions and say, “Remember that trip I told you about…” I especially remembered the trip he took driving over half the country with a broken hip! What an amazing man. When our son, Sidney, decided to go on his first UCA mission trip to Boreno this year, I was excited that he, too, was able to go on a mission trip with Peach. When I went over to him during the last Borneo meeting we were able to attend, Peach said, “Looks like I have your son Sidney along this trip!” What a sweet man. It warmed my heart. I knew Sidney was in great hands.

One last thought: Peach had such a great, distinctive voice. I can still hear him…

Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with you all. May Jesus come soon.

By: Shanin (Olson) Gillen

Shanin (Olson) Gillen — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:11:40 +0000

One of my favorite memories of Mr. Peach is during Rec ski my senior year (’98). His love for skiing and snowboarding had him bringing both types of equipment to Silver Mountain so that he could switch off after lunch.

I saw him eating in UCA’s cafe right before this years Borneo trip and asked him if he still boarded and he said “Yes I was up there yesterday”

Mr. Peach was an amazing teacher and will be greatly missed.

By: Gilbert Tan, Sarawak, Borneo

Gilbert Tan, Sarawak, Borneo — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:32:09 +0000

The death of Mr Olin Peach is a great lost to Sarawak mission, as he has been leading UCA students coming to Sarawak for the last 14 years and help to build a total of 20 churches. My mind still refuse to accpet the fact that his is no more with us because for the past 14 years I have known him as a great friend to have. Beside leaving behind 20 churces in Sarawak, his life has made a great impact to the people of Borneo. During each mission trip, it never fail to attract new believers as the volunteers build the church and the new believers came and help to build the church. After the group left, through the impact of the group many families in the longhouses joint the church. The mission project always turn out to be an evengelism itself.

As the two of us working together in arranging the logistics and work program, he was always first to arrive but the last one to get out with me in any events. When finishing the concrete to the floor, he alway skip lunch, and the last one to walk out of the church at night. At one time, the villager to told he allempt to walk 7 km back to the longhouse because I was late in sending the transport to pick him up.

I was suppose to bring to him a sliver plaque with me when I stop by Spokane on my way to GC session in honor of his 14 trips to Borneo and stay with him in his cabin ( which he wrote a lot about it in his e-mail), now, I find myself having the vacuum in my life with his sudden departure. The future mission trip will be different with out his presence and leading.

Good bye my friend, till we meet again.

By: Traci Hoffman Pope

Traci Hoffman Pope — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:26:09 +0000

My fondest memories of Mr. Peach are from the Mexico Trip in ’88. I sat near the front of the bus and enjoyed Mr. Peaches running commentary on the history of the places we passed. It fascinated me that he could know the history of everything we passed by.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in this time of great loss.

By: Marjaine Rembold Batiste

Marjaine Rembold Batiste — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:47:48 +0000

I struggled with History. If it wasn’t for Mr. Peach I would have failed the class. He bent over backwards and helped me succeed. It was in his class that I learned to enjoy watching the news. I will always remember him for the great Christian teacher that he was. I pray I can be half the teacher he was. I look forward to seeing him in heaven.