Richard George Koebele, principal of the Shelter Rock Elementary School for the past 17 years, died suddenly on Tuesday, March 9. Mr. Koebele was 53 years old.

An educator with the Manhasset Public Schools for 29 years, Mr. Koebele's first assignment was as a sixth grade teacher in Shelter Rock School from 1970 to 1973. In 1973 he was appointed to the position of assistant principal, a post he held until he was appointed principal in 19891. Prior to teaching in Manhasset, he taught sixth grade in the New York City schools from 1967 to 1970.

During his tenure as an educator, and specifically as principal of Shelter Rock School, Mr. Koebele directed the education of thousands of Manhasset elementary school youngsters. Shelter Rock School, one of the largest elementary schools in Nassau County, housed 750 students at its peak enrollment. During the current school year, Mr. Koebele was in charge of a staff of 77 teachers and 53 support staff. Under Mr. Koebele's leadership, Shelter Rock Elementary School experienced two major building additions, one in 1985 and the other recently completed in 1998.

In 1991, Shelter Rock was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Education Department in Washington, D. C.

In June of 1997 Mr. Koebele had heart surgery but took the time to video tape special remarks to sixth grade students for their moving-up ceremony.

For students, Mr. Koebele was dedicated to provide a caring, nurturing learning atmosphere that would promote a positive environment for students. The school's popular slogan, "Get Caught Doing Things Right," encouraged self-discipline and pride in student behavior.

Professionally, Mr. Koebele was president of the Nassau County Council of Elementary School Principals and served on numerous organizational committees and as presenter at educational workshops, conferences and seminars.

Mr. Koebele was born in California on Nov. 22, 1945. He grew up on Long Island and graduated from Hicksville High School in 1963. He received his bachelor of arts from SUNY at Stony Brook in 1967, an elementary education undergraduate degree from NYU in 1967 and his MA degree in elementary education in 1973 from Stony Brook.

He received his school administrative and supervisory certificate in 1974 and his school district administrative certification in 1975.

Mr. Koebele is survived by his wife, Andrea Gould, two grown children, Jason and Jennifer, and his parents, George and Helen Koebele, who reside in Florida.