John "Stan" David Berdinner Obituary (1954

Extraordinary husband, son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, great-uncle, friend, teacher, and purveyor of peace and harmony, John David Berdinner, 69, lovingly known as Stan, died gracefully on November 7, 2023, after a long relationship with cancer. Never one to rush, Stan fittingly entered the world two weeks after his due date. Born in Leicester, England on November 4, 1954, to Clara Betty (Vesty) and Clifford Berdinner, Stan spent his childhood happy and content, playing with his fort and soldiers, and driving his little red pedal car up and down the yard. Life was simple then. Just how he liked it. Stan got more daring in his teenage years, a trait that didn't quite fit the image of a Rector's son. He drove a clunky motorbike too fast, got into occasional scrapes, and attended church in big boots and a rugby shirt. But he won everybody over with his magical smile. That big, huge, magical smile that matched his big, huge, magical heart. Just ask his sister Lynn. She knew more than anyone. Stan was born that way. After attending Mayflower junior school, and passing his 11+ exams, he went on to Alderman Newton, (yes, the same school where King Richard was recently discovered to be buried in the parking lot). It was here that he met his life-long friend Mick. Not ready to pursue higher education upon graduating, these two adventurous spirits opted to travel, making their way to France, Italy, Morocco. Life was full and unpredictable, just how he liked it. Upon returning to the UK, Stan settled into a house full of like-minded mates, a house that was full of joy, generosity, and the best soundtrack ever. Many of these friends became his travel partners, joining Stan on his maiden voyage to North America. From Seattle to Kelowna, and the Rockies to the Smokies, Stan and his friends hiked, camped, and harvested their way across the US until being drawn to the Bohemia of Sausalito. It was a time of poetry, politics, and passion. Life was full, a bit fragile, and forever steeped in friendship. Just how Stan needed it. Stan eventually made his way back to Seattle and settled down with his first wife Tracy. They soon welcomed their son, Eli. Though Tracy and Stan ultimately chose different paths, they remained devoted parents to Eli who enjoyed living with his dad and growing up with the creative Dalton clan nearby. It was during this time that Stan's love of teaching was born. After earning a master's in education from the University of Washington, and teaching at various schools throughout Seattle, Stan eventually made his way to Chimacum School District where he found the perfect fit in the PI Program and on the Soccer pitch. Whether he was teaching quadratic equations, making kites with his Geometry class, or strategizing how to beat Port Townsend in a penalty shoot-out, Stan's humor, patience, gentle spirit, and positivity remained constant, and lives on in the hearts and minds of every student with whom he worked. Perhaps Stan's most treasured and perfect Math equation emerged when he and Ellen met 23 years ago. Though they had never been introduced, they both admitted they recognized each other instantly. It was a love story of the best kind, full of kindness, support, hilarity, intellect, and balance. He was the placid lake, she the ping pong ball. They took walks in the woods, sat near each other in silence, played Cribbage, Scrabble and Rumi cubes, sang songs in the kitchen, danced to Bob Dylan in the moonlight. They brought out the best in each other and always had each other's backs. Life was lovely. Just how they liked it. Stan leaves behind his loving family: wife, Ellen Berdinner, son Eli James Dalton Berdinner and his wife Kiera, sister Lynn Wain and her husband Pete, nieces Sarah and Gilian, nephew Andrew, and grandniece Isla. He also leaves behind his fabulous grandchildren, chess partner Johnny and reading partner Vivi, both of whom brought him so much joy. To celebrate his life, have a cup of tea, go for a walk on a favorite path, toast him in the pub, sit quietly somewhere and thank him for his incredibly generous spirit, play Scrabble, solve Wordle or Connections, play the fiddle, putter about in the garden, or read a book. And if you feel so inclined, please donate to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements entrusted to The Stone Chapel Poulsbo Mortuary in Poulsbo, Washington.