By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
When Jack Kaelin retired from teaching at Covington Catholic High School after 50 years, the school started a scholarship fund in his name that has raised thousands of dollars to help families afford a Catholic education for their sons.
Kaelin passed away Saturday at the age of 77, but his memory will live on through the scholarship and the countless lives he touched as a teacher, coach and administrator.
Jack Kaelin poses with CovCath graduates in 2013 after his final year as a teacher.
“When you think of the history of the school, he’s probably the biggest legend who was there,” said Tony Bacigalupo, athletic director and economics teacher at CovCath. “He impacted everyone he touched in a positive way. He was one of those guys who connected with everyone and was loved by everyone.”
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday in the CovCath gym and 11-11:45 a.m. Thursday at St. Pius Church, Edgewood. Mass of Christian burial will be at noon Thursday at St. Pius. The services will give family, friends and former students an opportunity to honor the beloved teacher.
“There’s not a day goes by (at school) without someone mentioning Jack Kaelin,” Bacigalupo said. “When you think of him, he’s just a man of integrity and faith, and just such a great friend to people, too.”
Kaelin came to CovCath in 1963 as a German teacher. He also taught economics, business and typing during his 50-year career in the classroom.
He was head coach of the cross country, track and bowling teams and served as athletic director for several years. He got involved with the CovCath basketball program as scorekeeper and started a freshman basketball tournament that is named after him.
He was a member of the CovCath Sports Hall of Fame, Northern Kentucky Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame and Kentucky Track and Cross County Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
During summer breaks, Kaelin would often organize trips to Germany and surrounding counties for CovCath students and escorts. He enjoyed sharing the different culture with young people.
Jack Kaelin coached two state champion cross country teams.
“German was his favorite class,” said Mike Guidugli, an assistant principal at CovCath who has known Kaelin for more than 40 years. “If it was your birthday, he would always bring his class down to your office and sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in German, which was something we kind of dreaded, but we enjoyed listening to them.”
After stepping down as head coach of the cross country and track teams, Kaelin was an official at high school track meets. He coached the CovCath bowling team until he retired from teaching in 2013 and continued to keep the basketball scorebook until after the 2013-14 season.
“Toward the end of his coaching and teaching career, his health was starting to fail a little bit and he was having trouble walking,” Guidugli said. “I think he would’ve gone on longer if his health had been better. That’s how much he loved it.”
When Kaelin retired from teaching in 2013, there was a farewell party in the school gymnasium that drew a huge crowd. He had his photo taken with members of the two state champion cross country teams that he coached.
After the party, Kaelin wrote a thank you letter that appeared in the school’s alumni newsletter. The letter ended: “I am grateful for all the families who have touched my life. You made me welcome at CCH, and I am a better man for it. I want to assure you that I will live out our school’s motto — With A Spirit That Will Not Die.”
A complete obituary is available on the legacy.com website.
