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62 °F 5 Day Forecast Tuesday, October 14, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend October 1, 2003 Fire kills longtime teacher Bill Kachmarik, who taught at Eagle Point, inspired others as he helped a city to remove barriers By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune SHADY COVE — Teachers at Eagle Point High School mourned the unexpected loss of a former colleague Tuesday. William Karl Kachmarik, 57, likely died of smoke inhalation from an apparently accidental fire that smoldered in his apartment, said Chief Bob Miller of Jackson County Fire District 4. Although confined to a wheelchair by multiple sclerosis, Kachmarik was a giant among his peers. Colleagues at Eagle Point High said they could scarcely believe the news. They remember an inspiring man who remained self-sufficient and fiercely independent despite his disability. Advertisement "You never realized he was handicapped because I don’t believe he did," said Maurice Hicks, an art teacher at Eagle Point High. "He might have been in a wheelchair, but he cast a big shadow." Doorways at the high school still bear scuff marks from Kachmarik’s wheelchair, and students said he sometimes ran over their toes. Yet Kachmarik, a member of the Southern Oregon Repertory Singers and other local choirs, sang wherever he went. School sporting events often opened with his rendition of the national anthem, teachers said. Hired in the 1979-1980 school year, Kachmarik taught social studies and coached basketball before retiring from Eagle Point High about two years ago. He moved to Klamath Falls and returned to the Rogue Valley about six months ago, renting an apartment on Erickson Avenue. He continued to teach online college classes, colleagues said. Although he spent his entire tenure at Eagle Point in a wheelchair, the 6-foot-6 former college athlete never allowed his disability to cloud his positive outlook, teachers said. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1977. A state representative for the National Organization on Disability, Kachmarik campaigned to make the community more aware of accommodating the disabled. In 1998, Eagle Point won an award for its handicapped accessibility from the National Organization on Disability after renovating sidewalks. "He’s left a legacy with us," said Mike Curtis, Eagle Point social studies instructor. Kachmarik raised money for M.S. and received various awards from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In 1990, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame for Persons with Disabilities in Columbus, Ohio. A lighted candle near Kachmarik’s bed ignited the blaze, which burned until about 6 a.m. Tuesday when the apartment manager noticed smoke, Miller said. Firefighters found Kachmarik lying on the living room floor, his wheelchair in the bedroom. The fire had nearly extinguished itself when crews arrived but could have burned unchecked for hours, Miller added. An autopsy will likely determine the time of Kachmarik’s death, he said. He is survived by two daughters and a son. Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times