Rich Wesen, a dedicated member of the Burlington-Edison School Board for 16 years, passed away on Monday following a battle with cancer. His tenure on the board was marked by a commitment to local education and extensive involvement in community service organizations.
Beyond his work with the school district, Wesen served as president of the local Kiwanis club and held board positions with the Burlington Healthy Community Coalition and the Burlington-Edison Coalition for Kids. In a statement posted to social media, the Burlington-Edison School District noted that his kindness, leadership and generous spirit touched many lives, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A Legacy of Community Service
Käaren Flint, program coordinator for the Burlington Healthy Community Coalition, highlighted Wesen’s unique approach to collaboration. She noted that he possessed a distinct ability to unite people and was not afraid to pose difficult questions. Whether he was sharing historical knowledge of our coalition, offering thoughtful guidance to me as the coalition coordinator, or volunteering his time, Rich approached everything with humility and a sincere desire to serve others, especially Burlington youth,
Flint said. She added that his influence would continue to shape the organization’s efforts for years to come.
Filling the Board Vacancy
Following the passing of Rich Wesen, the school board is tasked with appointing a successor within 90 days. The position represents Director District 4, which encompasses the northwest portion of the school district, including the communities of Bow and Edison.
Interested candidates must be registered voters residing within the affected district. Applications are currently being accepted online, with a submission deadline of November 20. The district expects to select a new board member by December 11.
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