31 March 2008
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Brian Gilbert Trennepohl was the first son of Mrs Betty Trennepohl and Dr Harlan Jean Trennepohl from Manhattan Kansas - USA. He was born on 5 August 1944 in Wichita Kansas and he attended school from Primary to University level in Manhattan, Kansas.
He obtained Bachelor of Arts in History in 1966 and a Master of Arts in Speech/Linguistics (TESOL) in 1972 from Kansas State University. His Master's dissertation is on Some Phonological Problems in Teaching English to Speakers of Tswana.
He was among the first group of Peace Corps Volunteers from USA who came to Botswana in December 1966 and returned home in 1969 to join the National Service. His stay as a Peace Corps Volunteer saw him teach Standard Six and Seven classes at Kanye. During this time, Brian adopted the Disele Family who he met in Kanye. This relationship turned out to be a very strong one as he was later received as the first son of Mr and Mrs Disele.
He completed his Master of Arts in Speech/Linguistics in 1972 and worked as a Special Tutor for Chinese Professors in Kansas State University.
He came back to Botswana and taught at Moeng College in 1973, at Kgari Sechele in 1975 as Head of English Department. In 1976-77 he was a lecturer at Serowe Teacher Training College; in 1977-1979 he taught at Seepapitso Senior Secondary School. From 1980-1989 he was at Moshupa Senior Secondary School as HOD and School Librarian. He was promoted School Head of Baitirile CJSS from 1989 to 1999 when he retired from the Teaching Service. He started farming in 2000 until the following year.
He joined the University of Botswana as a Temporary Full-Time Lecturer in the Communication and Study Skills Unit, Centre for Academic Development from August 2001 - July 2003. He was appointed a Lecturer on a two-year contract from August 2003-2005, that was later renewed until he passed away on Wednesday February 6, 2008.
During his tenure as a lecturer in the Communication and Study Skills Unit, Brian excelled as a promising academic and he taught communication skills across faculties such as Science, Social Sciences, Education, and Humanities.
He was in love with the use of modern technology for teaching hence introduced his students to e-learning through the University Learning Management System, Web Course Tools (WebCT) a module for essay writing, note-making and citation skills among others was developed, having been one of the first set of lecturers who benefited from CAD e-learning certificate workshop series organised by the Education Technology of CAD. In addition, he enjoyed teaching oral presentation skills to post year one students.
His creativity, ingenuity and innovations were evidenced in his attempt to make his learning student-centred through the use of activities that were geared towards breaking the students' culture of silence. He succeeded in making his students realise their intellectual potential through participation in essay writing, business letters and interviews that used learner-centred approaches.
He also conducted research and published academic papers locally and internationally. He taught English for Professional Purposes at BOCODOL and co-authored four modules for the course. He was granted Botswana citizenship in 1979 and declared a Mokgatla of Moshupa where he built a home. He spoke Setswana Language fluently. Brian got married to Njale Kooreme in a traditional fashion in 1989 in Moshupa and inherited two sons. They later had a daughter.
Brian also had a passion for Softball and together with Bob Williams they nurtured the sport in Botswana. He coached different school teams and led the National Men's Team to Zone VI Championships in 1980 and 1981.
He is survived by his wife, daughter, two sons, a grandchild, both parents, brother, and sister.
May his soul Rest in Peace
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