ROBERT JAMES TINDEL

Robert James Tindel, 56, of Pittsburg, died at 6:30 pm Sunday, March 2, 2008 at the Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center.

He was born May 18, 1951, in Pittsburg, the son of Richard Franklin and Laura Mary (Scott) Tindel. He attended Pittsburg schools and graduated from the Pittsburg High School. He then went on to Pittsburg State University where he received his bachelor's degree in speech and theatre in 1973. He later went on to attain a master's degree in theatre from Pittsburg State University in 1978. He received his secondary administration certificate in 1991.

He was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Pittsburg where he was very active as the choir director, church treasurer, lay reader, chalice bearer, and a member of the Vestry.

Additional memberships include the Pittsburg Education Association, Kansas National Education Association; National Education Association, National Forensic League, Association of Secondary Curriculum Development, Kansas Speech Communication Association, Kansas Association of Community Theatres, American Association of Community Theatres; and the Pittsburg Community Theatre.

Robert was an educator. He taught at Colgan High School in Pittsburg and also Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School in Wichita. Most recently he was employed by the U.S.D 250 as an English teacher for Pittsburg High School. He was currently chairman of the English Department and was a former forensic and debate coach for the high school for many years.

He earned many awards during his career as an educator including Joplin Globe Distinguished Educator Award in 1994; National Forensic League -- Five Diamond; Anna Fintel Excellence in Education, Award Nominee in 1999; NFL leading Chapter Award -- East Kansas District in 1999; Outstanding Young Speech Teacher by Central States Speech Association, Kansas Master Teacher Award -- 2000 and Outstanding Cooperating Teacher -- PSU 2003.

Survivors include his mother of Pittsburg, a brother William Richard Tindel of Pittsburg, two sisters: Nancy Marie Kahn of Shawnee, KS, Carolyn Sue Longerot of Joplin, Mo.; along with four nephews and five great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, maternal grandparents William James and Opal Marie Scott, paternal grandparents William Edgar and Nellie Nancy Tindel.

Funeral services will be 2:30 pm Thursday March 6, 2008, at the St. Peter's Episcopal Church with Father Bill Wolff officiating. Burial will follow in the Highland Park Cemetery. Family will receive friends at the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Memorials may be made to the St. Peter's Building Fund. These memorials may be left at or mailed to the funeral home. Services and arrangements are under the direction of the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home 522 S. Broadway, Pittsburg, KS 66762.