Teacher leaves behind life's lessons

Students and faculty at Penn Hills High School were in shock over the death Monday of teacher Kirk Stowell, who was struck and killed by a mail truck while walking to school.

'He covered everything. ... he was wonderful,' Joyce Noone, one of the office secretaries at Penn Hills, said Tuesday. 'He was respected by all of the students, and that doesn't happen all of the time - especially with a substitute.'

Stowell, 48, was a permanent substitute teacher in the district. He was assigned to teach chemistry this week.

In lieu of flowers for the funeral, the school district is establishing a memorial fund in honor of Stowell and in recognition of his commitment to teaching and his love for the students whom he taught.

'We're looking to set up a continuing scholarship, not just a one-time thing,' said Associate Principal Carolyn Tuminella, who recalls Stowell reporting for work with the sardonic greeting: 'Who am I in for today?'

Stowell had been a substitute for 20 years and had been offered a regular teaching position on more than one occasion. But he turned those offers down, school officials said.

'He always said he liked being a sub because he liked seeing everybody,' recalled Justin Cass, a Penn Hills senior. 'I think I had him for every class at one time or another. He enjoyed people, and he enjoyed talking to us.'

Until a change of assignment scheduled for this week, Stowell had spent about a month in the school's music department, filling in for a teacher recovering from surgery.

Megan Larkin, a junior, takes three classes in the music wing each day. She also remembered having Stowell as a substitute teacher at Linton Middle School.

'He always knew everybody's name, and he would say 'hi' to everybody in the hallway - even the problem students,' Larkin said, adding that Stowell will be remembered for his character and his presence.

Stowell also helped students with any other subjects that they might be having some difficulties in comprehending. He also was willing to help students after school.

'He was the guy you wanted on your Trivial Pursuit team,' Cass said. 'You could sit down and talk to him forever about nothing and everything.

Larkin agreed.

'He would come out of nowhere and say: 'Did you know this or that?'' Larkin recalled.

Tuminella and Penn Hills High School Principal Richard Napolitan said that Stowell always had a book with him, and that when he was not busy, he would open it and start reading. He also loved to cook and always brought something when the staff had covered-dish luncheons.

'But I think his main objective in life was to take care of his family,' Tuminella said, noting that before he decided to walk to school Monday morning, Stowell had shoveled the sidewalk of the home where he lived with his parents.

In addition to his parents, Stowell is survived by a sister, two brothers and three nephews.

It was still dark when Stowell headed off for school. Bob Painter, an administrative assistant at the high school who oversees teaching assignments, said Stowell was always one of the first teachers in the building.

'Kirk was a consummate professional who showed up to work with an open heart and without any complaints,' Painter said. 'He loved kids and working with children of all ages.'

Painter marveled at how Stowell could teach French one day, math the next day and then science the day after that.

'His conscientiousness to duty was something we relied upon and counted upon on a regular basis,' Painter said.

Checks for the Stowell memorial scholarship fund should be made out to the 'Penn High Activity Fund.'

Tom Jewell can be reached at tjewell@tribweb.com or (412) 380-8516.