Gazette Telegraph 2009

Wayne Bricker died May 1, 2009 at Aspen Living Center. Wayne was born January 13, 1917 to Lee and Frances (Henry) Bricker. Wayne’s sister, Lois, preceded him in death. Wayne is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn; son, Mark; daughter-in-law, Pam; and grandson, Ryan. Other survivors are a great number of nieces, nephews and friends. Wayne graduated from high school in 1934 and continued his higher learning with post-graduate classes to begin his teaching career, in rural schools in the eastern part of Colorado. From 1936 to 1939, Wayne taught in two different one-room schools; one in Yuma and the other in Wray. Following his experience in rural schools, Wayne went to the University of Colorado, Boulder and received his Bachelors in Education in 1940. Starting in 1941, Wayne was a teacher in the high school and superintendent of the school district in Dove Creek, Colorado. Wayne was drafted into the Army in the summer of 1942. Wayne was discharged from the Army in 1946, returned to CU Boulder, and finished his Masters in Education. In the fall of 1946, Wayne became the principal of Meeker High School. While at Meeker, Wayne became politically active in school legislation, particularly in the area of legislation to have PERA cover all school districts in the state. Wayne left Meeker in 1949 and moved to Monte Vista as the principal of the high school and a math teacher. In 1956, Wayne became superintendent of Colorado School District #8, a position that he held until 1965 when he moved to Colorado Springs to become superintendent of Harrison School District #2. Wayne became involved in securing health insurance for retired teachers in the state after moving to Colorado Springs. As a result of Wayne’s committee’s work, retired teachers have a health insurance program. Wayne retired from Harrison School District #2 and teaching in 1978. Wayne’s whole life was in teaching and administration. Wayne’s favorite response has always been “when I come back in my second life, I want to come back as a teacher.” Over the years, Wayne has been Superintendent of the Year, 1975; Educator of the Year, 1977; and had many other awards in the field of education. In Harrison School District #2, there is an elementary school, Bricker Elementary, which is named for Wayne that opened in 1980. The satisfaction Wayne got from his many years in education was the opportunity to work with kids, great staffs, and a multitude of dedicated people in every phase of education. Wayne was a Lion’s Club Member for many years, a lifelong Democrat, and former El Paso County Democratic Chair. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel at 2:00 p.m. Donations may be made in Wayne’s honor to: The Lion’s Camp, 28541 Hwy 67, Woodland Park, CO 80863; Harrison Scholarship Foundation, contact John McCaa at 330-8088; or The Wayne Bricker Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 7969, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80933-7969.