The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1920-02-02

Professor John H. Rich, superir~
tendent of Moscow city schools, is
dead.
His death occurred at 9 o'clock last
Saturday night He went to local
hospital suffering with influenza just
a week before and his case was re-
garded as serious from the start. Mrs
Rich was also stricken with the dis
ease but recovered and was able to be
up and about the hospital when the
summons came to her husband. She
was taken to the home of her broth
er, Thomas Asbury, where she is be-
ing cared for.
Professor Rich's death came as a
shock to his thousands of friends, few
of whom knew of his illness until the
announcement of his death was made
He was such strong, robust man, of
such fine physique that few would
have believed the "flu" would prove
fatal in his case so quickly. Only a
short time ago he was examined for
life insurance and the examining phys
ician stated that he had examined
few men as physically fit as Professor
Rich.
The funeral arrangements have not
been completed. The funeral will
probably occur Thursday or Friday.
His parents are expected here from
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the date of
the funeral will not be set until it Is
known when the relatives will arrive.
The body is at Grice's undertaking
parlors.
Had Served Here Six Years.
Professor Rich was serving his sixth
year with the Moscow high school,
He was principal of the high school
three years and was promoted to be
city superintendent three years ago
last fall and was in the second SEM
ester OF his third year as Superintend-
ent when he was taken i'll. His work
here wass of a remarkably high order.
There had been difficulty in the
work OF the high school until Profess
sor Rich, a very young man for so re-
sponsible position, was put in charge
and his work was SO satisfactory that
be was retained three years and then
promoted to the highest position in
the school. He brought order out of
chaos, won the love, esteem and re-
,pect of the students, any one of whom
would have fought for "Prof Rich"
rs he was familiarly called, and the
schools had never made such advance
nent as during his administration.
Praised by Prof. Muerman.
Professor Muerman, first principal
# the Moscow high school, who was
lere 10 years, was visitor in Moscow
asst summer. He said to the writer:
l don't believe. the people of Moscow
no1 rl,+
ave in that man Rich. He is a won
er. You have done wonderful work in
he high school here and your building
nd grounds are fine, but Mr.. Rich is
ne real power in the work and is do
lg wonderful amount of good He
) a remarkably strong man"
Professor Rich was modest and un-
ssuming. He never sought but rath-
r shrunk from newspaper notoriety
r publicity He was content to do
IS duty in quiet, unassuming way
nd let the work speak for his sue
ess. But his work has been truly
onderful. That is vouched for by
resent and past members of the
,hool board. He will be missed prob
bly, more than would any other cit
en- of Moscow and his death will be
uly mourned.
Was Under 80 Years Old.
Mr.. Rich was born at Janesville,
WA, July 8, 1888. His parents,
dwin H. and Elizabeth Rich, are
9TH living, as is one brother The
irents and brother are now ON their
ay to Moscow and the funeral will
)t be held until their arrival. They
i'll probably arrive in time for the
neral to be held Thursday or Fri
ly.
In addition to his parents and
other Mr. Rich leaves his widow,
ho was Moscow girl, Nellie Asbury.
ley were married at PalouSe, three
ars ago and went east where they
ok post graduate courses in Column
a University, New York. That fall
r. Rich became superintendent of
e city schools and Mrs. Rich became
incipal of the Whitworth school and
th have held these positions since.
rs. Rich is at the home of her broth
Thomas Asbury.
The death of Professor Rich has
st a deep gloom over Moscow and
g entire community. 1t has been a
we're shock. He was loved and re-
ected by all who knew him and he
Is the idol Of the high schcool stu
nts of both sexes, but was especially
pular with the boys. The students
We ordered for his funeral hand
ne floral piece which is represent
on. of the Moscow high school in
ich he was principal for three years
superintendent for two and half
ars. It is said that no man in the
scow schools ever had a more
endly and cooperative spirit among
high school students than did
)fessOr Rich.