Our classmate, Paul Stahl, stayed in touch with several Irvington faculty members and sent us some information about a history teacher some of us had at Myrtle Ave. Junior High. I had him in 7th grade. The course was about New Jersey history. Mr. Skirbst was a dynamic teacher who made history come alive. I remember he would often complain that just learning names and dates meant you were learning about “dry bones,” and he wanted to flesh out the story of our past.

Mr. Skirbst was an Irvington kid and an IHS graduate. He was even a town councilman.

Paul was in touch with Mrs. Skirbst, and she gave him five books he had written. His expertise was in NJ history, especially the Revolutionary War. One of those books is Tales of a Battleground: New Jersey’s Role in the Era of the American Revolution, which examines the important, yet often overlooked, role New Jersey played in the War.

His wife also sent Paul a copy of the Celebration of Life held for him.

Mr. Skirbst was involved in more than just teaching, as this bio shows. (He was also a Mason, like Paul.)

Some books by Mr. Skirbst