Published: Thursday, February 5, 2015 in the Sarasota Herald Tribune
by Chris Anderson

Sarasota County School Superintendent Gene Witt's compassion for everyone within the Manatee County School District knew no bounds, his friends and colleagues said on Thursday, and perhaps that is what the well-respected former superintendent will best be remembered for. Witt, who served as superintendent in Manatee County from 1983-94 and had a large impact on education in Sarasota County by serving as interim superintendent three times, died Thursday. He was 85.

Walter Miller, former assistant superintendent under Witt, recalls the time he saw a man named Willie Holloway walking out of Witt's spacious office on the fifth floor of the administration building. Holloway was the former head custodian at Lincoln High, an all-black school in Palmetto, and was about to have an X-ray taken. He was apprehensive about it and turned to Witt for comfort. "That reflected how much he cared and he was so approachable to every employee," Miller said. "He was open to anybody in the school system. There are probably numerous stories like that of people he helped out."

When district administrators held staff meetings in the afternoons Witt never allowed them to run past 4:30 p.m. Miller later found out why: It was so Witt could stop by and check on his mother, which he did every day.
"He was a good guy who did a lot for our district and we should be grateful he was part of our community," current board member Dave Miner said.
Gene Witt Elementary School in East Manatee County is named for him. Witt was honored and would visit the school at least once a year.
Myra Russell, who served as principal for 18 years and retired last year, said Witt would visit employees of the school if he heard they were sick and the students would send him birthday cards each year.
"It hit me hard," she said. "I've known him for 35 years and he was an inspiration to me. I just feel anyone who knew him was blessed to have known him.
"He was a warm, kind and passionate man who was family oriented and cared about his employees." Witt's calm demeanor, and trusting, open-management approach was valued by many, but it also meant his retirement from education in 1994 was short-lived. He served as interim superintendent in Sarasota County in 1995-96, 1999 and 2003-2004.
"In Sarasota County, as in Manatee County, we were all so blessed to experience Gene Witt's genuine devotion, love and caring for our students, staff and community," superintendent Lori White said in a statement.

Witt graduated from Manatee High in 1948 and went on to play tackle for the University of South Carolina football team. He began working in the Manatee County school district in 1955 and was principal at four schools, Palmetto High and Southeast High among them. He was director of secondary education and assistant superintendent until he became superintendent in 1983.

Barbara Harvey, the former School Board member who just retired after 50 years in the Manatee County School District, said Witt had a tremendous impact on her life and career. She remembers being a teacher at Palma Sola Elementary when Witt entered her classroom and offered some advice.
"My introduction to the administration positions I've held in Manatee County were initiated by Mr. Witt," Harvey said. "He walked into my classroom and he said, 'It's time for you to become an administrator' and he mentored me through the whole process. I was a fourth-grade teacher and I would have remained a fourth-grade teacher had Mr. Witt not entered my classroom."

Bradenton City Councilman Gene Gallo, a friend of Witt's for many years, recalled going to a restaurant next to McKechnie Field each Saturday morning and having breakfast with several officials in town. Witt was a regular there, and the topic of conversation was never anything political. It was often sports, local sports in particular.
"He contributed a tremendous amount of his talent toward being school superintendent and he brought us into new technology and a new way of thinking," Gallo said. "He was well-respected and well-liked by teachers and principals and most importantly well-trusted."
Miller learned of Witt's passing Thursday morning while attending a leadership prayer breakfast benefitting Take Stock in Children of Manatee County. The featured speaker was Clint Hurdle, manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
"He said a leader has to have trust, the people he leads have to know he cares, and he has to have courage and stand up for what's right," Miller said. "That epitomizes Gene Witt. He was a great man and great for our school system."

Visitation is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church of Palmetto, 1020 Fourth St. W. Service will take place at 4 p.m. Monday, also at First Baptist Church of Palmetto.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Gene Witt Elementary School, 200 Rye Road, Bradenton, FL 34212.