There is once again shock and sadness in the halls of St. Patrick's Catholic School in Elkhorn. Principal Norm Hale died in a car accident Wednesday near Colby, Kansas.
According to a Kansas Highway Patrol report, Hale was headed northbound on Highway 83 around 3 p.m. The report said Hale tried to make a U-turn when he was struck by a semi truck.
Superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Omaha Patrick Slattery says Hale was returning from a joyous occasion. "He was actually coming back from visiting his son and his new grandchild out in Colorado."
Slattery says Hale will be incredibly missed. "He brought a passion to everything that he did. Everyday at the top of the halls, greeting the kids and was just a guy who loved to come to work everyday. Loved his job, loved education. It's difficult to wrap our heads around."
Hale had been principal of St. Patrick's since 2015 and was planning to take a new job this summer in Norfolk. He played a big role in providing support to the parish after the tragic deaths of two young boys last year. Lane Graves was killed by an alligator in Florida and Aspen Seemann drowned in a lake near Waterloo.
Slattery says Hale was a big part of the healing process during that difficult time last year. "He was one of those folks that really was trying to lift the community up through prayer and just help and meet the needs of all these families. Very kind, very humble."
Slattery said staff have been notified of Hale's tragic death. Teachers and staff plan to meet early Thursday. Funeral arrangements are pending.