Terrence "Terry" Philip Kiefer - Class of 2015

Terrence “Terry” Philip Kiefer, Class of 1972, was born to Bill and Betty Kiefer of Rathdrum, Idaho. Terry was a 12-year senior from Rathdrum schools, and is the oldest of 5 children.  His siblings, Mark, Bret, Doreen and Jeri, are all graduates of LHS, as well.  Terry played football for 4 years, basketball for 3 years, and was on the track team for 3 years.

Upon graduation from Lakeland, he attended North Idaho College where he was on the basketball and track teams for 2 years, before heading to Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, to pursue a degree in Physical Education where he participated in football and track for 4 years.

Terry’s high school athletic achievements include regional and state play-off participation and the following awards:  Most Inspirational (Track 70-71), MVP (Basketball 71-72), and MVP (Track 1972). His collegiate athletic awards include 1^st place in Shot and Discus at NWCCL in 1973, Outstanding Defensive Lineman (Pacific University 1975), and Most Improved Player (Pacific University 1975).

Terry remained in Oregon his entire teaching career.  He was the elementary physical education teacher at Banks Elementary School in Banks, Oregon for 31 years before finishing his teaching career in 2011 as the P.E. teacher at Banks High School.  During the first 10 years of his career he also coached at Banks High in football, basketball, track and baseball  He then went on to coach his own children in basketball, track and baseball and assisted at Banks School District’s athletic events as scorekeeper, lines keeper, shot put and discus coach … whatever needed to be done.

Terry and his wife Mary (of 27 years) have 5 children and 1 granddaughter.  Katelynn is an Early Childhood teacher and nanny in Beaverton, Oregon; Nichole works the morning news at Station KHQ in Spokane (husband Luke works at Gus Johnson Ford and daughter, Annabelle, will be in kindergarten); Chris is the founder and owner of SkEye Studios in Hillsboro, Oregon (wife Natalie is a Physical Therapy student at Pacific University); Elizabeth is a 2015 graduate of Gonzaga University with aspirations of getting a Master’s degree in Psychology; Joe will be a senior at Valley Catholic High School in Beaverton.

Terry passed away on August 18, 2011 at age 57, after a 10-week battle with a very rare, aggressive cancer.  He left a legacy in so many areas of his life, but especially as a well-loved P.E. teacher.  A few comments sent to the family after his passing portray a man who loved his work … “everyone begged him to sit at their lunch table because he would do magic tricks”;  “I never thought I could climb that tall rope in the gym, but Mr. Kiefer made me believe that I could – he cheered me on and sure enough, I made it to the top with his encouragement”;  “the lives that he touched are countless”;  “Mr. Kiefer will be remembered for the Presidential Fitness Tests, rope climbing, kickball and his amazing obstacle course”;  “He really cared about his students and was the best P.E. teacher”;  “With your kind teaching and always encouraging our children to do their best, Mr. Kiefer, you have left lasting impressions on so many children.  We will all miss you!”