Dec. 11, 1945 — Feb. 5, 2024
Retired Ashland teacher Kate Nehrbass, who passed away from cancer on Feb. 5 at age 78, will be remembered for her devotion to education and the arts as well as her welcoming smile, adventurous nature and her deep love and devotion to her family and friends. Kate was happiest when her home was filled with loved ones, making a healthy meal in the kitchen or creating art in her craft room.
Throughout most of her life, Kate wore colorful clothes, traveled the globe, studied aikido and practiced Buddhism. Most important, she said, was the year spent living with her son Galen, daughter-in-law Nikki and grandchildren Ikenna and Ime in California after Ime was born in 2020.
Kate was born after World War II on Dec. 11, 1945, in Sacramento into a time of relative peace and prosperity. Her father, Benjamin Nehrbass Jr., was an accountant for road construction projects, and her mother, Jane Harte, was a secretary for a construction firm. Kate’s one sibling, Pramad Nehrbass, lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
Kate said she was part of a household where the phone was answered “Nehrbass nuthouse,” where roses and peaches grew in the yard and ice cream was served on summer days. As an adult, Kate nurtured gardens filled with flowers and vegetables, made preserves from fruit from her trees and ate organic foods, inspired by her participation in the 1960s back-to-the-land counterculture movement.
She recalled singing and dancing to rock ‘n’ roll as a teen, especially Bob Dylan and Joan Baez songs, even though she joked she couldn’t carry a tune or play an instrument. While attending the University of California at Davis, she fell for the Beatles, and in the summer of 1965, she explored Europe, experiencing ancient cultures with thousands of years of history, amazing artwork, fascinating antiquities and enticing cuisines. Kate said she discovered new ways of living after traveling the world. Her father said she was never the same after she returned. Her exposure to people from around the globe inspired her to enroll at the University of California, Berkeley, to earn her teaching credential.
Kate started teaching in Oakland, California, in 1969, finding creative ways to engage kids in math and science. Being with children, mostly in the classroom, defined Kate’s life. She was fascinated by studying how children grow and play, and learn to express themselves. Making home visits and inviting families into the classroom were part of Kate’s philosophy.
“She was a magnificent teacher to our kids and a colleague in teaching English as a second language (ESL) for many years,” said longtime friend and retired Ashland teacher Zuna Johnson.
Kate was married twice. First she married David Aid of Oakland in 1969, and he introduced her to outdoor experiences. She married Robert “Bob” Silvestri in 1979. Together, Bob and Kate enjoyed aikido, Japanese cooking and traveling. A transformational trip to Nepal and India, which Kate extended to include Hong Kong and Japan, resulted in Kate saying she was forever changed.
Ashland became Kate and Bob’s home just in time for the birth of their son, Galen Silvestri, in 1980. Bob fulfilled his dream of owning a bookstore, the Blue Dragon, located in downtown Ashland, as Kate was espousing learning new teaching theories and creating classrooms for students to thrive.
The family visited Australia and New Zealand when Galen was attending Ashland High School. Kate and Bob continued their support of aikido and two dojos. Bob and Kate celebrated 30 years of marriage before Bob’s passing in 2010, at age 70. Kate said Bob was the deep love of her life, and introduced her to even more cultures and adventures.
Earning a black belt helped Kate journey through the world, she said. Kate pursued her interest in Buddhism with an Ashland group and later became devoted to her Tibetan Buddhist teacher Lama Drimed. Those teachings and beliefs carried her through to the end of her life.
Kate was close to many of her students and their families. When two former students, sisters Alicia and Rosa Bulux, had children, each of the children called Kate “Gramma” and she continued to be a supportive part of their lives.
Later, members of a student family from Haiti grew up with Kate’s support. One former student, Mardi Graham, helped Kate make the transition from teaching to being a book dealer to Kate’s joy-filled life of retirement. Mardi and Kate traveled together, gardened and cooked great meals for their families. Over the last few years of her life, Kate taught her grandson Ikenna the basics of reading and writing, and Ikenna discovered his love for learning with his “Gramma Kate.”
A memorial service for Kate Nehrbass will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at Walker Elementary School, 364 Walker Ave., Ashland.
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