HAZLE TOWNSHIP -- A community in Luzerne County is grieving the loss of a beloved high school teacher. He was killed in what some describe as a horrible accident.
Robert Stetz, 50, taught in the Hazleton Area School District for about 19 years.
Many people described him as a popular and well liked teacher whose sudden death has rocked their community.
"The news that we received yesterday was shocking, stunning. It just left us all quite speechless, frankly," said Hazleton Area Superintendent Craig Butler.
The superintendent says that news was that Robert Stetz, a beloved high school teacher at Hazleton area for 19 years was suddenly killed.
"I mean tragedy is difficult no matter what, but I think when it's something so unexpected, it does really take a little while for it all to set in," said Stephanie Hopkins, Hazleton Academy of Sciences.
The Luzerne County coroner's office says Robert Stetz passed away during a freak accident at his home in Beech Mountain. He was operating a backhoe, got out of it, and the bucket somehow moved, trapping him between the dumpster.
"The loss that we are going to feel here as a school, I know is immeasurable. He is truly irreplaceable here. He's kind of the heart of our school. He did something here so unique."
Stetz most recently taught at the Hazleton Area Academy of Sciences. A display at the center of the high school building shows the popular teacher the way many would like to remember him: always with his students, challenging them in the areas of engineering and robotics.
"He made a life decision to become a teacher as opposed to an engineer and he taught in all three high schools in this district and he touched a lot of lives. He made a difference in a lot of people's lives," said Principal Rocco Petrone.
The district will have grief counselors at the Academy of Sciences school Friday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. They say anyone dealing with this loss is welcome to stop by.
Funeral arrangements for Robert Stetz have not been announced yet.
