Way too soon

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By Times Staff | Sunday, July 6, 2008 9:14 PM CDT | () comments

Tim Dose had fretted just a bit about his dental surgery to some co-workers, who winced as they discussed his plight over lunch Tuesday about the same time he was having a wisdom tooth extracted.

He died from complications during the procedure, leaving pangs of sadness and confusion. There’s not so much confusion about leadership in the district. Dose had cultivated leadership among his staff, including many who preceded him in the district. The district’s veteran board members will help with the transition as they did when finding Dose in 2001 to replace his long-time, well-regarded predecessor, Pat De Luca.

The confusion is how a healthy, active 53-year-old could succumb from a fairly routine, outpatient surgery.

Dose is remembered as an organized, plain-spoken superintendent who impressed colleagues as not just a devoted teacher, but as a lifelong learner. Friends and co-workers say he sought out contrary information, creating an atmosphere that allowed others to grow.

“I felt comfortable going to him and sharing concerns whether he liked it or not,” said Frank Wood, an associate North Scott High School principal who worked with Dose. Wood is also an Iowa state senator who consulted Dose on education matters. Wood said it was specific feedback from Dose that influenced his “no” vote on the public employees collective bargaining bill, a vote that put Wood crosswise with most other Democrats and teachers.

A year ago, Dose had opposed rehiring of a popular and successful softball coach. Some parents complained to the board and the matter seemed headed toward litigation. Instead, Dose agreed to mediation with coach Denny Johnson. The mediation worked. Dose reinstated Johnson and later conceded he’d learned much in that process. On Thursday, Johnson expressed sadness over Dose’s death, and respect for the way Dose actively worked to overcome differences. “Something like this really puts things into perspective,” Johnson said.

That perspective will be shared by mourners remembering Dose at funeral services today. Alongside his Eldridge neighbors and North Scott colleagues will be friends and former co-workers from Clinton, where he first taught; Eddyville, where he first served as high school principal, then superintendent; and Monticello, where he worked as superintendent.

Dose leaves a legacy of integrity, activism and passion for education that has influenced thousands of students and colleagues in three Iowa school districts. That’s a legacy that can endure much longer than the seven years our community was honored to experience Dose’s leadership.

Funeral today

A funeral Mass for Tim Dose will be 10:30 a.m. today at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Long Grove.

Memorials may go to the Monticello Education Foundation or the North Scott Education Foundation.