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Over the weekend, Warsaw Community High School science teacher Mike Bott died unexpectedly.
Those who knew him said his loss is tremendous to Warsaw Community Schools.
A scholarship is being established in his name at Kosciusko County Community Foundation by the family. The scholarship will benefit students interested in pursuing a career in science - Bott's passion.
Bott, according to Jennifer Shepherd, WCHS assistant principal, was the chairman of the school's science department. He was a very active faculty member and was involved in many school committees.
Shepherd said Bott was passionate about teaching and about teaching science to kids. Bott and Shepherd were working on a computer lab just for the science department, she said.
WCHS Principal Jennifer Brumfield said Bott was "instrumental" in making sure WCHS had the most diverse science curriculum in the state. He was on the ground floor in Indiana for curriculum of "Project Lead the Way," and was going to pilot a class next school year for the state in biotechnology.
Without him, Brumfield said, "well, it means he's going to be hard to replace."
The loss of Bott will be felt not only locally but at the state level, too, she said.
But it's his students past and present who may be the ones who will miss him the most.
"He was just very energetic about science," said Brumfield, "and wanted to do as much as he could."
Bott served as the Ski Club sponsor and for years also coached football. Brumfield said Bott graduated from Ball State University in 1968 and taught with Warsaw Schools ever since.
His loss, she said, "is huge for us."
Bott had two sons and one daughter graduate from WCHS and he "totally believed in what we are doing" at Warsaw Schools, Shepherd said.
Shepherd said donations for the scholarship can be sent to the Foundation or dropped off at WCHS and they will make sure the donations are taken to the Foundation.
Brumfield said due to the suddenness of Bott's death, the school is still in shock, but will look for a replacement "that upholds his ideals and keeps that going."
Bott's obituary appears on page 3A of today's edition.
