Pasco community mourns death of beloved football coach, ‘engaged educator’
He held many roles throughout his life — father, teacher, coach, teammate.
The Pasco community is mourning Wednesday’s death of Robert Booth, a Ray Reynolds Middle School teacher and Chiawana High School football coach. He turned 51 in October.
“The district is providing counselors and additional support at Ray Reynolds Middle School, Chiawana High School and other schools this week to support students and staff members who have been impacted by Robert’s death,” wrote Anna Tensmeyer, director of public affairs, in an email. “Our hearts go out to Robert’s family during this very difficult time.”
He died of a medical condition.
Booth began working at the school district in 2003, having taught at Emerson Elementary, Marie Curie STEM Elementary and McLoughlin Middle School.
He also previously coached basketball at Pasco High School and football at Ochoa Middle School.
Ray Reynolds staff remembered him in a Thursday email as “an engaged educator who created a positive learning environment that supported student learning.”
The Pasco native attended Washington State University in the 1990s and was a defensive linemen for the Cougars’ football team.
Brian Stewart commemorated his teammate in a Thursday post to Facebook.
“Sad day today Coug nation lost a great teammate Robert Booth #52 rest easy and may God shelter and protect your children and family,” he wrote.
This story was originally published November 3, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
