Randy Owen Bethke Obituary (1945 - 2000)

Born Jul 03, 1945, Randy Owen Bethke was faculty at Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, OR. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Randy Owen Bethke.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Birth	Jul 03, 1945
Date of Passing	Aug 14, 2000
About	The Oregonian, Portland, OR., August 18, 2000, page D2 PUTNAM’S BETHKE DIES A private service was held this week for former Putnam High School basketball coach Randy Bethke, who died Monday of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 55. Bethke worked as an assistant boys basketball coach for 11 years at Putnam before becoming the head coach in 1982. In 18 seasons, he coached the Kingsmen to the state playoffs nine times, including a third-place finish in 1984. He resigned in early April for health reasons. A native of Hillsboro, Bethke also coached the Putnam boys soccer team in recent years and was an award-winning assistant coach in track and field. “I thought he was the best jump coach in the state,” said Brent Eggers, Putnam track and field coach. “He coached so many great jumpers here that two years ago I noted him nominated him for class 4A assistant of the year, and he won it.” Bethke also served as the school football statistician for more than 25 years. Survivors include his wife Phyllis and sons Ryan and Scott. The Oregonian, Portland, OR., August 24, 2000, page D12 RANDY OWEN BETHKE Randy Owen Bethke died Aug. 14, 2000, at age 55. A private service was held. Mr. Bethke was born July 3, 1945, in Aberdeen, S.D. As a youth he moved to White Salmon, Wash., and then Hillsboro, graduating from Hillsboro High School. He received a degree from Portland State University. He was an assistant basketball coach at Rex Putnam High School for 11 years, and after becoming head coach in 1982, he led the team to the playoffs in nine of 18 seasons, finishing third in 1984. He also taught math and coached soccer and track. In 1968, he married Phyllis Otteson. Survivors include his wife; sons, Ryan P. and Christopher S.; father, Beryl; and sisters, Nicki Brunette and Lynne. Disposition is by cremation. The family suggests remembrances to the Randy Bethke Memorial Fund at Rex Putnam High School. Arrangements were by Cochran & Waud Sunset Chapel. The King’s Page, Rex Putnam High School, Milwaukie, OR., October 13, 2000, page 1 Includes portrait. BELOVED COACH AND TEACHER LIVES ON. By Ethan Young, Staff reporter. Walking through the halls at Rex Putnam High School, one could think that nothing was ever wrong. But for the people who knew and loved Randy Bethke, there is an emptiness that can never be filled. As a teacher, a three-season coach, and as a friend, Bethke was always busy with our school. His days were longer than those of many at Putnam, arriving at 6:00 a.m. and leaving twelve hours later. Bethke taught mathematics while school was in, and then became a coach for the few hours after school, every day, for either soccer, track, or basketball. “He was the epitome of a professional teacher,” says long-time friend Rusty Law. Bethke, who taught for 28 years, used his experience wisely. According to Barbara Elliott, another math teacher, he was a very good teacher, always with clear, understandable lectures, and he cared deeply about his students. He had taught honors geometry and algebra courses to the school’s mathematically-gifted sophomores and freshmen. Along with these those classes, he also taught pre-calculus and calculus. “He was always ready and able to help whenever needed,” adds Elliott. As a coach, Bethke was busy year-round, with soccer in the fall, track in the spring, and basketball in the winter. Within track, he coached all the jumping sports, dividing his time between pole-vault. Lauman, a junior on varsity track for long jump and triple jump, says he was always encouraging people and telling them they could achieve their goals. “He was the best coach I ever had,” Lauman adds. Rian Groener, a senior this year, remembers the basketball practices they used to have on Saturdays for an hour and a half. “There was always chocolate milk, orange juice, and witty. “He was a funny guy. I loved his sense of humor,” says Greoner. “The thing I'll miss about him is walking into the gym or into this classroom and not seeing him, where he should be,” he adds. “Randy Bethke was the kind of teacher that can never be replaced. He always be missed,” says Rusty Law.

Classmate Memories

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Jamie Myers '80 said:

Yes will be always fondly thought of. I remember his coaching style so well while I ran long distance His in field cheering always helped. He also help tutored me for algebra 1 as the teacher at the time teaching algebra would not give me additional help so he took his only free time to help me out to pass with higher grade by end of term.

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