Duane J. Lintz, 59, of Edgerton, Kansas, died Sunday morning, Jan. 9, 2022, from cancer at his mother’s Beatrice residence.
He was born Nov. 30, 1962, at Beatrice to Donald and Odetta (Kleine) Lintz. He graduated from Tri County High School and then attended Highland Community College on a football scholarship. He went on to attend Missouri Western State University and graduated with his bachelor’s from Emporia State University in 1986. He later received his graduate degree from MidAmerica Nazarene University.
Duane was an educator in Kansas public schools for almost 35 years, including Lowther Middle School (Emporia), Spring Hill High School and Paola High School, where he taught English, communication and theatre, and was a beloved speech and debate coach.
While he was notorious for his gruff exterior, everyone who spent time with Duane recognized it as a façade for a giving heart. He was an advocate for fellow teachers, fighting to ensure their voices were heard by state unions and local school boards. He was especially known for his dedication to his students – he often said "teaching is not just what I do, it's who I am."
Outside of the classroom, he was a proud father and grandfather with a love for Husker football, John Wayne westerns, playing cribbage and tinkering in his garage.
Duane is survived by his four children: daughters, Taylor (Justin) Lintz Chaney of Gardner, Kansas, Carley Lintz of Chicago, Illinois, and Kaila (Zachary) Hyatt of Kansas City, Missouri; stepson, Brett Blackman of Stillwell, Kansas; seven grandchildren; mother, Odetta Lintz of Beatrice; brothers, Allen (Tammy) Lintz of Tobias, Douglas (Jane) Lintz of DeWitt and Charles, Sr. (Sandy) Lintz of Glenvil; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Lintz, who died May 21, 2013.
A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17, at the Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice. Inurnment of the cremains will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Paola Education Association Scholarship Fund for students planning to go into education. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.foxfuneralhome.net.
