A PE teacher who tragically died during a school trip in the snow has been remembered as an ‘amazing husband and father’.
Jonas Stoebe, 55, was leading a snow hike with his Year 9 and Year 11 students when he ‘crashed’ into a mountain near Perisher, NSW, on September 6.
The head of sport at Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School, on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, suffered catastrophic brain injuries in the crash, but exact details of what happened have yet to be made public.
Mr Stoebe was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries a week later on September 13.
Family, friends and colleagues have shared moving tributes on social media for the ‘inspirational’ and ‘fun’ father of two sons aged nine and 12, and husband and wife Belinda.
PE teacher Jonas Stoebe (pictured) was leading a snow hike with his Year 9 and Year 11 students when he crashed into a mountain near Perisher on September 6
The 55-year-old, head of sport at Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School, on Sydney’s Lower North Shore, suffered catastrophic brain injuries in the crash and died a week later.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jonas Stoebe, a beloved member of our Glenaeon family,” Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School wrote on Facebook.
“Jonas was more than just an educator; he was a mentor, a friend and an inspiration to all who knew him.
‘With unwavering dedication, Jonas has been part of our school community for ten years and has left an indelible mark on the lives of countless students.
“Our school community is heartbroken by this loss. The impact Jonas has had on our school and the lives of our students is immeasurable, and his memory will remain in our hearts forever.”
Longtime friend and neighbor Scotty Boombah reminisced about his first meeting with the teacher and explained that his “incredible energy and spirit” will live on.
“I am so incredibly grateful for the day, not long after you moved here from Melbourne, that Belinda contacted me and asked if I could have you play on my basketball team,” Mr Boombah wrote.
“It was the start of a friendship that I will cherish forever, but boy, it didn’t take long for you to gather so many more friends and people who loved you.
‘And now you’re on your way to heaven. I hope the angels are aware of what awaits them, the heavenly training camp is about to begin.
“To those left behind, your incredible energy and spirit will live on forever. Shine on, you crazy diamond. There will never be another like you.”
The Armenian General Benevolent Union also shared a tribute to Mr. Stoebe, who supported the community “as if he were Armenian himself.”
“He wasn’t a bystander either, he stepped in, got his hands dirty and showed his boys how it was done,” The Union wrote.
“His spirit and smile were infectious and touched everyone who met him… you couldn’t help but laugh when he did that.
Our schools, sports clubs and the general community are poorer for Jonas’s passing and we know his passing will leave a huge hole for many of us.”
Another person described Mr. Stoebe as a “kind, compassionate role model and true friend” who had the “most genuine and inspiring positive energy.”
Friends, colleagues and family have shared heartbreaking tributes for the ‘inspirational’ teacher and ‘amazing’ husband and father of two sons
Mr. Stoebe’s friend and colleague, Kath Kissell, started one GoFundMe page to help support his two boys, Lio, 12, and nine-year-old Luca, and his wife Belinda.
As we come to terms with the accident and come together to grieve this profound loss, we recognize that in addition to the emotional toll, there are practical challenges ahead for Jonas’ young family,” Ms. Kissell wrote.
Donations will help Mr. Stoebe’s family with the immediate costs of funeral costs, household expenses, mortgage repayments and daily living expenses.
“Every donation, regardless of size, will help Jonas’ family and honor his memory,” Ms. Kissell wrote.
“Let us come together as a compassionate community and show our support for Belinda and her family at this heartbreaking time.
“Together we can wrap this family in love and give them a gift that will help them focus on healing their broken hearts and rebuilding their lives.”
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe page has received 737 donations totaling $245,208 and has a goal of raising $350,000.