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Longtime Educator Pete Gindl Passes Away
May 17, 2010
Longtime educator and Escambia County School Board member Peter R. (Pete) Gindl, Sr. of Barrineau Park passed away Sunday.
Gindl was fresh out of college back in 1957 when friends first convinced the political newcomer to run for the school board. He was a product of the Escambia School District and a graduate of Auburn. But he really did not know much about the office that was about to propel him into a lifelong quest to help children succeed.
“I was just fresh out of college, a single fellow, when a group of friends convinced me to run for the school board. I had a college education, and the other guy did not,” Gindl said in a 2008 NorthEscambia.com interview. “I didn’t know anything about the school board, but I ran. And I won — by 36 votes.”
Election after election, he continued to win, remaining on the school board for twenty years before deciding to “retire” and teach. He then spent 18 years in the classroom before “retiring” from teaching in 1996. While he supported the family as a farmer (he held an agricultural education degree, after all) for nearly 50 years, the second retirement was not forever. Education was just in his blood somewhere.
In 2004, the Escambia County native returned to the school board in District 5, ousting Linda Finkelstein from her seat. Gindl had plans to return to the board for another term in 2008, but District 5 voters had another plan, as they elected Bill Slayton to Gindl’s seat.
In all, the man that fought tirelessly for the children of District 5 and all of Escambia County spent 24 years on the Escambia County School Board — 16 years as chairman. He also served a year and a half as president of the Florida School Board Association.
But he considered his 18 years in the classroom as the most rewarding period of his career.
“I’m going to miss it,” he said in November, 2008, just hours before his school board term officially came to an end. “I’ll miss working with the parents, the educational personnel, everyone that cares about the kids. It has always been about the children…I just love the children.”
For the complete obituary and arrangements, click here.
Pictured: Pete Gindl, Sr. at an August, 2008, Escambia County School Board meeting. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
34 Responses to “Longtime Educator Pete Gindl Passes Away”
ThIs man was the best man I ever new he was my papa and I would do anything in this world to have him back my dad woke me up around 3am to tell me my papa died and I cryed my eyes out I love and miss him very much I wish I could have him back I remeber when he had surgery on his legs and he told me that he was goin to walk again and com out and play baseball with me I was about 5yrs old when my papa died I relized that he was the smrted man I ever knew he treated me lbetter then glod and I no that he would do any thing in this world me I sometimes I sit up late at night thinking bout him i love him more than any thing in this world I’d do anything to have him back so I can just say I love him and he’s the best thing on this world I have knew my papa for 15 years and he will always be remembered by me PETER RUDOLPH GINDL III and I’m glad to be named after him and I’m naming my kid after him when I have one. R.I.P PETER RUDOLPH GINDL SR. And I love u papa
God called a great man home!! If there was ever a man that cared about our children or their education it was Mr. Gindl, he was always so nice and would always take the time to talk to you even if he was not feeling so good, and as the saying goes the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree….all his family are the most giving, loving people and this I know personally. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and if you need anything just let us know!
Sonja and Chris Luker
Mr Gindl was one of my favorite teachers who made an impact on my life at Tate as well as many other students. Good people! Prayers going out for the family at this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gindl family in this time of grief. I know you are proud of your father/grandfather/uncle/brother/husband. The words people have left on this board are not merely words on paper but a reminder of the legacy Mr. Gindl left behind. He has touched so many lives throughout his career.
I was a student in Pete Gindl’s class at Tate High School in 1995 and 1996. Pete was fun and did alot for his students. He will be missed.
Uncle Pete will be surely missed. However, his legacy will live on in those people through-out the area that he has influenced over the years whether it be from the political arena or the classroom arena. I can honestly say that he greatly influenced my life from the time I worked on the farm as a young boy to the time he encouraged me to major in Vocational Agriculture, attend Auburn and become an ag teacher myself. In everyone’s life there are just a handful of people that have an impact on your life. Pete was one of those kind of people.
May you rest in Peace. Your dedication to the community and the continued contributions of your family is very appreciated. Thank You.
Grew up working for MR Gindl on his farm, an also had him as my ag teacher 4 yrs at tate. Great man,he will be missed. Prayers and thoughts are with the gindl family.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Gindl family. My husband graduated from Tate in 1978 and I graduated from Tate in 1981. We both had Mr. Gindl for Ag !!! He was one of our favorite teachers. I know he will be missed terribly.
RIP Mr. Gindl. I can honestly say you were my favorite teacher I ever had. I graduated in 1990 from Tate and had you for Agriculture. I enjoyed every day in your classroom. You will be missed.
Mr Gindl was a good man who loved his family and had a passion for educating the youth. He will be missed and fondly remembered. My condolences to his family.
Our thoughts and prayers for all of the Gindl family.
I wiish we had more Pete’s. A true dedicated teacher!!!
To the Gindl Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.. Mr. Pete is a good man. It is up to you all to keep his legacy alive. #211
Good people and will be missed very much.
Rip Mr. Gindl. I know your in a much better place. Heaven, what a wonderful place to look forward to going. See u there someday!
I regret that. I liked Pete
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gindl family
so sorry for your loss!
Praying for the Gindl family at this time. Mr. Gindl touched so many lives throughout his career. His wife, Mrs. Sue, such a sweet lady…I Love You. So sorry to hear about this loss. I know someone who’ll keep him company and keep him laughing up in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gindl Family and Friends.
Mike & Amber Aaron
I seem to recall that Mr. Gindl also ran for either state Senator or Congressman at some point. I remember the television commercial of him, his wife and all the children….Mrs. Perry was in either elementary or middle school at that time. Mr. Gindl certainly gave a lot of himself to the educational system of Escambia County. Thoughts and prayers to the whole family.
Rest in peace Mr. Gindl. You did a good job, now your rewards are plenty.
A likable man. My condolences to his family and friends. May Isaiah 57:1 bring you the comfort it has often brought to myself and others.
mr. gindl was an amazing man! a wonderful teacher, made his mark on a lot of students lives! he will never be forgoten, nor will his hard work! our thoughts and prayers are with you!
after a lifetime of service to the community you will never be forgotten. rest easy now old friend.
My prayers are with the Gindl family!
Our thoughts are with the Gindl family at this time. Pete Gindl molded the lives of many kids over the years and those lives will touch many of us well into this century. He was truly one of those Southern gentleman that we hear about.
LovEd MR. GinDl Best Teacher at Tate HIgh !!!
So sorry to hear about the loss. Our prayers go up for the Gindl family.
Prayers go out to the Gindl Family and friends.
So sad, my thoughts and prayers go out to the Gindl family, friends and loved ones.
Praying for the entire Gindl family. May God give you peace in your hearts.
Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the hornof my salvation, my stronghold.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Gindl’s family. I went to Tate and took AG with Mr. Gindl. He will be missed.
To the Gindl Family –
All of you will be in our thoughts and prayers. He was a very well thought of man. May he be in heaven.