Chris Gangler 1963-2018

Webmaster, photographer, friend…

Today marks the end of a week of celebrations. Tears of joy were shed this week as educators retired, as kindergartners were promoted to first grade, as 5th graders moved on to middle school, as 8th graders said their goodbyes as they prepared to go to different high schools, and as high schoolers moved their tassels from right to left.

But tears of sadness were also shed this week because at every one of these events, a familiar and beloved figure was absent.   I don’t know about you, but many of us couldn’t help but look for Chris Gangler everywhere we went this week. For over ten years Chris Gangler was the school districts photographer, webmaster and social media coordinator. Last week Chris lost his battle to cancer.

I so missed seeing Chris strategically stationed near the front, smiling as he gently motioned people to move together for a group shot— asked students to turn and smile— or held out his camera to get your approval of the photo he just took. I think the reason Chris holds such a special place in all our hearts is because he was always there with us, witnessing us at our very best and capturing those special moments forever.

But Chris was far more than a talented photographer.   Chris also was passionate about what he believed in and was never afraid to express himself.  Chris would make it clear where he stood on something and had great clarity about many things, especially politics. I think that’s why so many of us that are in politics leaned on him. We would ask him the questions that there seemingly were no answers to, but Chris always seemed to find them. When we would go to him with our worries, Chris was able to get us right to the crux of the matter, reminding us to stop focusing on the things that weren’t important, and to stay focused on the things that were. And most of the time that meant to stay focused on the students. We are all better elected representatives because of Chris’s tutelage, mentoring, advising, and caring leadership, especially when it came to our public schools and students.

Chris’ patience with the people he photographed and with the people he mentored no doubt came from his years as a Cubs fan.  No one knows what it means to have heart and patience more than a Cubs fan does. Except for maybe a Red Sox fan before 2004, which is why Chris became a “Chicago brother” to this Red Sox fan. We bonded over photography, politics, computers, and baseball‘s downs and ups.

Chris was also a very, very funny man. How many of you ever logged into Facebook and found yourself spitting out your coffee as you read one of Chris’ posts?

Like:

• Good evening to everyone except those people who eat all day and never gain weight.

• I just paid my electric bill before it was due like some sort of millionaire.

• “Have courage,” I tell myself as I open that forgotten Tupperware in the back of the fridge.

• The phrase “don’t take this the wrong way” has zero % success rate.

• [Batman looking at bat signal] “I keep telling this guy to just text me”

• Judge: I’m disappointed to see you back in my courtroom. Defendant: I’m disappointed to see you back in my courtroom. J: Stop that. D: Stop that. repeat offenders

• You know you’re an elementary teacher when you get excited about the Styrofoam peanuts your stuff was shipped in.

• And one of his last funny posts: Behind every successful and overworked woman is a fool scratching his head and yelling, “Have you seen my wallet?”

Attending our celebrations now is bittersweet because we miss our good friend so much.  But Chris is still taking pictures of us, he’s just a little farther away.  I am sure he is holding up his camera, motioning for us to all get closer, and reminding us to smile.

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