AXEL SCHMAING obituary

Axel Schmaing, 60, of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and of Havre, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at a Billings hospital.

A memorial service for Axel will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Dahl Funeral Chapel in Billings. There will be a memorial service at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Havre

High School auditorium in Havre. A reception will follow.

Axel was born on Dec. 29, 1943, in Augsburg, Germany, to Don E. and Clara (Langl) Schmaing. He graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1962 and from MSU in 1968.

"Axel retired from Havre High School after 35 years. (1968-2003) He has been described as a true gentleman and a scholar who lived by a code of honesty and decency. Axel had old fashioned values, yet was modern in his thinking. Dedication and high standards are his teaching philosophies, but softheartedness, generosity and thoughtfulness are his life's principles. Though he may be gone from HHS, he will not be forgotten." (From the 2003 Blue Pony year book.)

During the last six months, Axel has been teaching English at the American International School of Abu Dhabi. He has already earned the status of favorite teacher with a number of his students despite his own feelings of inadequacy at bringing second language learners to his standards for them.

He and his wife, Sue, traveled extensively to Yellowstone Park, France, Germany, various Emirates in the UAE and to Sri Lanka. The last six months have been ones of contentment, adventure and health.

Axel was preceded in death by his mother, Clara, and his wife, Linda (Gibson) Schmaing.

Survivors include his wife, Sue McCunn of Abu Dhabi and Billings; children, John Schmaing of Berlin, N.H., Kim (Chris) Westenskow of Mesa, Ariz., and Wade Schmaing of Bozeman; grandchildren, Kyle Schmaing, Kathy Schmaing, Shelby Westenskow and Sidney Westenskow; father Don E. Schmaing of Prescott, Ariz .; siblings, Eva (Donald) Pederson of Forsythe, Don (Kathy) Schmaing Jr. of Post Falls, Idaho, and Dan Schmaing of Palmer, Alaska.