Torrance, CA (May 22, 2019): The memorial Mass and reception for Dietmar Farkas will be held Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Bishop Montgomery High School. All are welcome to join us at 11:30am in the main gymnasium for Mass, followed by a reception in the Schneider Retreat Center.
On Saturday, May 18, the Bishop Montgomery community lost a legend with Farkas' passing. Teacher, colleague, and friend, Farkas was a fixture at BMHS for most of his career in education. He will be terribly missed.
Farkas joined the Bishop Montgomery faculty in 1976 and, over his 42 year career, taught German, U.S. History, American Government, Geography, and Anthropology. He also served as the World Language Department chairperson. Upon his retirement in 2017, then-principal Rosemary Libbon dedicated Room 119 to Mr. Farkas in thanks and appreciation for his years of dedication to the BMHS community. Today, a plaque commemorating the honor, hangs in the first building hallway just outside Room 119.
It is estimated that Farkas taught over 6,000 students, almost 49% of the student population, during his four-plus decades in the classroom. Upon his retirement, well wishes and fond memories from former students poured in, extolling him as "one of the greats," "the best teacher ever," and "my favorite teacher at BMHS." Accolades came from his colleagues as well and were most evident when he received a lengthy standing ovation at his retirement luncheon.
Farkas is survived by his wife Barbara and daughter Karin '92. He will always be remembered as a great man, a caring mentor, and an incredible educator with wonderful stories to share, a tough but loving disposition, and a superbly sharp, wonderfully dry sense of humor.