The Leavenworth Catholic School Foundation will honor Earl and Peggy Bechtold for their work in promoting scholarships to students attending Xavier Catholic School at their Night of Faith and Hope Celebration on Feb. 22 in Leavenworth, Kansas. The Bechtolds are the proud parents of four children: Chip, Mara, Mark and Megan all graduates of Xavier Catholic School.
Earl Bechtold was born and raised in Pittston, a son of Oscar and Sophie Bechtold. As a youngster, he played baseball representing Pittston as a member of the 1955 Little League team that took third place in the state tournament in Williamsport. Earl played football and baseball in high school and went on to graduate from Pittston High School as president of the Class of 1960.
He attended The University of Scranton, participating in their ROTC Officer’s Training Program and, upon graduation, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army. He attended the Command and Staff College in Leavenworth, Kansas, as well as serving in the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Germany, Korea and other posts in the United States. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel after 23 years of service to our country.
Earl earned a master’s degree from Duquesne University and, upon retiring from the Army, worked for Northrop Grumman in military computer simulations.
Peggy was also born and raised in Pittston, a daughter of Edward and Margaret Bilbow. She graduated from Saint John the Evangelist High School, Class of 1961. She attended Misericordia University on an academic scholarship and received her master’s degree from Duquesne University.
Along with being the backbone of a nomadic military family, Peggy taught school for 36 years in Germany and the United States, retiring as a Reading Specialist for the Leavenworth Public School System in 2010.
Peggy comes from a long line of educators. Her great aunt, Fanny Bilbow taught in a one-room school house in Browntown, her mother taught science in Hughstown, Duryea and Pittston Area High School and went on to become the principal of Pittston Area High School. Peggy’s sisters, Sheila and Patrice, worked in education. Peggy’s cousin, Patrick Bilbow is presently serving as the principal of Pittston Area Middle School. Her cousin Kathleen Bellas taught school at Pittston Area and Kathleen’s daughter Gina is currently teaching fourth grade at Pittston Area Elementary School.
Peggy and Earl’s daughters followed in their footsteps. Mara taught school in Kansas and in Austin, Texas. Megan was on the faculty at Creighton University and the University of Nebraska, serving as an assistant coach of the women’s soccer team.
If you wish to learn more about the scholarship initiative, contact Xavier Catholic School at 1409 2nd. Ave. Leavenworth, Kansas 66048, Attention Lisa Forge or www.leavenworthcatholicschools.org/give/ignite-the-green-and-white.
