The entire BWSD community is deeply mourning the loss of three influential leaders in our District family: Track and Field Coach Ed Helbig (Class of ‘69), former Baldwin Strength and Conditioning Coach Ed Wietholder (Class of ‘84), and former school board member (and mother of Gifted Teacher Kirsten Bilbie) Mrs. Joan Etzel.
Coach Helbig was a member of the Baldwin Athletic Hall of Fame, a longtime chair for WPIAL Cross Country and Track and Field, and a legendary track and field coach at Baldwin for nearly 50 years. In that time his individual student-athletes earned two WPIAL championships, 38 section championships, and dozens of individual honors. Awards aside, his true legacy is the transformative impact he had on his students, his fellow coaches, and the sport he loved.
In the words of Coach Dave Ruvolo, "It is almost impossible to measure the impact that this unique and towering figure had on the lives of so many people he touched with his kindness and dedication. While we grieve this tragic loss in our community and offer our unending support to Ed's family and closest friends, there is undoubtedly one way that we can honor his life of inspiration and service… and that is to ‘Get one day better, every day.’"
The District will host a celebration of life for Coach Helbig on Saturday, October 26th, at 5:30 at the Baldwin High School Stadium.
Coach Wietholder is remembered for his positivity, his heartfelt listening and helpful guidance, and his ability to motivate and inspire students to work hard and reach for ever greater goals.
As Athletic Director Anthony Cherico noted, “Ed Wietholder and Ed Helbig's commitment and passion for our students and programs have left a lasting impact, and they will be deeply missed by all who knew them. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to their families and loved ones during this difficult time. Their contributions to our community will not be forgotten.”
Mrs. Etzel served on the Baldwin-Whitehall school board when I was hired in 1996, and I had the pleasure to interview with her during that process. She was an outstanding school board member and an even better person who served her community on the board for many years, on Baldwin Council, and most recently with BWEF. She truly epitomized servant leadership.
Dr. Randal Lutz, Superintendent of Schools, shared, “On behalf of the entire Baldwin-Whitehall School District family, I would like to say thank you to Coach Helbig, Coach Wietholder, and Mrs.Etzel for their decades of kind leadership, their commitment to improving the lives of our students, and for caring about our kids like they were their very own. You will be greatly missed, but your influence most certainly lives on.”
Read student reactions in The Purbalite.
