3 Norman Public School Employees Pass Away Over Spring Break

Gan Matthews, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Their deaths were unrelated except as to time, but the Norman School system is having to accept the fact that three of its employees died over spring break.

One of the deceased is Robert Kidd III, who was inducted into the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame in 2002. Kidd taught vocal music for many years at Eisenhower Elementary School. An accomplished trombonist, Kidd gave up a university teaching position in order to work with children.

"He had a passion for working with young children," said Dr. Irv Wagner at the OU School of Music. "He was loved. respected by human beings every place, plus he made an impact on thousands of children."

Linda Springs, who died Friday, was a retired AT&T worker. For several years she worked for Norman schools as a bus driver. Her funeral will be Wednesday at the John Ireland Funeral Home Chapel in Moore at 10:00 a.m.

"She drove a special needs bus for us. She worked with the children well. She took each child seriously and gave special care and attention to each," said Mike Brown, Norman Public Schools Director of Transportation.

The name of the third employee--a teacher at Norman North High School-- has not been released. Superintendent Dr. Joe Siano said he is withholding the name out of respect of the family.

Siano said counselors were in place Tuesday at Eisenhower and Norman North to help students work through their grief.