Father figure: BMS principal Loeffler retires

Monday afternoon the community of Bigfork gave their thanks and best wishes to Bigfork Middle School principal Wayne Loeffler, who is retiring after working in the school district for 34 years.

"There is no more dedicated person in this school district than Wayne," said Bigfork Schools Superintendent Russ Kinzer to the crowd that gathered in the school's cafeteria for Loeffler's retirement party. "He put in 50- to 60-hour work weeks and never complained. I've always admired him for that."

Kinzer also touched on a few other of Loeffler's admirable qualities, including his desire to help and support kids in any way he could, his role as a father figure to many students and his ability to discipline students on a case-by-case basis based. When Loeffler spoke later on he reinforced this by telling a story about a boy who had disciplinary problems while at the elementary and middle school that Loeffler constantly struggled to help correct. A few years ago the boy heard that Loeffler was starting to think about retiring and asked him not to do so until he graduated. Recently, the boy went into Loeffler's office with his diploma in hand.

"I've learned more from my students than they've learned from me," Loeffler told the party guests. "Sometimes you think you have it rough and then you talk to a few kids and you realize you don't have it so bad."

Loeffler's retirement wasn't all on the shoulders of this student though, he recently accepted the position of captain of the Bigfork Fire Department.

"This decision wasn't an easy one," Loeffler said. "It took me months. I wrote down the pros and cons — should I or shouldn't I. It came down to — I needed a change."

During his tenure with the Bigfork schools Loeffler served as a teacher, coach, activities director and administrator.

A series of representatives from the elementary, middle and high schools presented him with gift certificates, cards and even a pass to attend all of the high school sports events so that he can continue his role as "head of the complaint department."

Loeffler was acknowledged for not only his years of service to the school and community, but the way in which he did it. Many teachers thanked him for taking a chance in hiring them, and others said they wondered how he'd ever be replaced for all the little things he did, like tying the kids' ties who didn't know how, using bolt cutters to open kids' lockers who were locked out, making sure the gym was open for the kids to use after school and even getting paper when the teachers' lounge was out.

Although everyone was there to thank him for the positive difference he made in their lives and in the community, Loeffler took his turn thanking those that helped make his job a little bit better.

Despite all the sadness of Loeffler leaving the place that he has helped through countless changes, everyone, including Loeffler, was generally happy to know that he wouldn't be going too far. While he joked that he hoped to see everyone around, just not as a result of a fire or other emergency, he also said he was looking forward to his new role in the community.

"I'm really excited about my new profession," Loeffler said. "They truly are a dedicated group of people I'm going to work with."