Retiring Casa Teacher Honored for Lifelong Commitment to Students

Tom Furrer, a beloved teacher who taught wildlife biology and created the salmon restoration program at is bidding the district farewell after a career that spanned nearly 30 years.

Furrer, 56, was the force behind the salmon hatchery project at Casa and oversaw the creation of the United Anglers program, which taught students about environmental conservation, even in light of tremendous financial difficulties.

The beloved teacher is also known for the bear suit he would wear and sneak up on students to test how prepared they were in case of a bear attack, something he taught them in his class.

"He was able to get so much from the students; he brought out the best in them," said Mike Aughney, a friend of Furrer's who runs usafishing.com, a website for fishing enthusiasts.

Furrer announced his retirement earlier this year, citing his declining health.

At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Dave Glass read a proclamation that thanked Furrer for his life-long commitment to the school and recalled his “encouraging, instructing and occasionally growling at students as he promoted the values and high standards of personal conduct and respect of others.”

“Through this endeavor, he has instilled an appreciation of the environment and, in particular, the importance of protection of endangered species to generations of students,” Glass said.

Furrer was instrumental in restoring Adobe Creek, using it as an outdoor classroom to teach his students about the environment. School won numerous state, national and international awards to bringing steelhead trout back to the creek and garnered attention from the likes of Jane Goodall, who visited the school in 1999.

Councilman Gabe Kearney was a student in Furrer's classroom that year and recalled learning how to identify a pine by the shape of its cone.

"He’s a great, great man and has touched many lives," Kearney said. "There will be a big void left by his absence at Casa Grande."

Furrer got a standing ovation at Monday's council meeting and looked visibly moved by the recognition.

"Thank you. It's come a long cycle around," he said, looking at Kearney and tearing up. "I’d like to…. Say thank you. Thank you very kindly."