Walter J. Koetke, age 73, of Bloomington, Indiana, died Friday evening at Bloomington Hospital. Born October 2, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, he was the son of Walter J. Koetke, Sr. and Olive Eleanor (Loach) Koetke. He was a nationally recognized educator and author, and he pioneered the integration of computers into K-12 education. His work was honored by the Distinguished Teacher Award presented by the President's Commission on Academic Scholars. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his Master of Education degree from Harvard University.
He is survived by his loving wife, Carol (Allen) Koetke; three sons, Walter (Cynthia) Koetke III of San Francisco, California, David (Mara) Koetke of New York City, and Daniel (Kim Cantwell) Koetke of Madison, Wisconsin; two brothers, Richard (Jean) Koetke of New Castle, Pennsylvania, and Robert (Michelle) Koetke of Newbury Park, California; and three grandchildren, Michaela, Alexandra, and Sadie. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 31 at 4 P.M. at Day Funeral Home in Bloomington, Indiana. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4-6 P.M.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.