Cache Valley Mourns Loss Of Elementary School Principal After Battle With COVID-19
Aug 10, 2020, 10:45 PM | Updated: 10:45 pm
NIBLEY, Utah – The Cache Valley community is mourning the loss of a longtime teacher and principal after Kelly Rindlisbacher lost his battle with COVID-19 just days before the school year begins.
Family members said they knew Rindlisbacher touched a lot of lives, but they’re hearing much more about that now, as people looked for their own ways to honor his memory.
“He always kept things lively,” said Rindlisbacher’s son, Jared. “He’s just had a great impact on many in the community; through his community service, through his church service and touching countless student lives throughout the years.”
He was a husband, a father and a grandfather. And while family members said they knew he made a difference in many lives through his 37 years as a teacher and principal, they’re hearing much more about it now.
He spent 37 years as an educator in the Cache Valley. Kelly Rindlisbacher died due to complications from COVID-19. Today, hear why his family says he's so well-loved by the community around him, and what those closest to him say he'll be remembered for most. @KSL5TV at 6. pic.twitter.com/LOZX8rObjG
— Mike Anderson (@mikeandersonKSL) August 10, 2020
“We’ve heard a lot more stories of time where my dad took out time to help out individuals one by one, and that’s just really touching to us to know that his impact was even far greater than we even know as a family, being closest to him,” Jared Rindlisbacher said.
He also said his father was convinced he had the best, most rewarding job ever. He said his father would often make himself a target if it meant helping the school reach reading goals.
(Rindlisbacher family)
“He was always one to you know, not take himself too seriously,” Rindlisbacher said.
But while Kelly Rindlisbacher spent a lot of time helping other people’s children, his son said he always made time for his family too.
“I always felt like I had a really special, unique relationship with my father, and I know my siblings would say the same thing,” Jared Rindlisbacher said. “And I think he was not only a great father for our family, but he was a father figure to many in the community.”
It is likely that he was taken too soon, but family members said Kelly Rindlisbacher did a lot with the time he had.
“Always happy, and jolly, and willing to go above and beyond to help those around him,” his son said.
Family members were still working out the details of Rindlisbacher’s funeral.
A statement from the Cache County School district said Rindlisbacher was an exceptional and dedicated educator, and he’ll be greatly missed by his family here at the school and the district.
