L-B honors former teacher

FINDLAY — Liberty-Benton Schools is mourning the loss of retired teacher Carol Waldman, 64, of Mount Cory, who passed away after a traffic accident in Delaware County on Aug. 13. According to a Traffic Crash Report from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred in Orange Township on U.S. Route 23 at 8:32 p.m. The collision took the lives of Waldman and Amanda Reidling, 54, of Arcadia, leaving several others injured. Patrol reported that a southbound Dodge Ram, driven by Kristina Gochev Alexander, 52, crossed into the center line striking two northbound vehicles head-on. One vehicle was a Toyota Venza, driven by Waldman's husband, Paul Waldman, 64, with Carol Waldman, Amanda Reidling and her husband, Joseph Reidling, 56, as passengers. Both Carol Waldman and Amanda Reidling were pronounced dead at the scene, while Paul Waldman and Joseph Reidling were transported with serious injuries to Riverside Methodist Hospital, the report reads. According to the report, the Dodge Ram also collided head-on with a Honda Accord, driven by Pradeep Challagulla, 38, with Ria Pradeep, 8, as a passenger. They each sustained minor injuries, while their vehicle, along with the Dodge Ram, caught fire on impact. The report states that Gochev Alexander admitted to consuming alcohol before the crash. A warrant was issued for a blood sample, with toxicology results pending. For L-B, the loss of Carol Waldman is heavily felt throughout the community. Having been a reading specialist for 24 years, Waldman touched the lives of many students. "Carol was a special teacher, a true difference maker in the lives of children, who turned on the light of literacy for so many elementary students who were struggling readers over her 24 year career," Superintendent Bruce Otley said. "She was the embodiment of patience, kindness, peace, goodness, and gentleness. She loved children and her special gift was closing learning gaps and bringing her readers up to grade level." Beyond the classroom, Waldman is remembered to many as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and woman of faith. She and her husband Paul were high school sweethearts who built a life centered around family. She is also remembered for her love of cooking, camping and hosting family gatherings. She is survived by her husband Paul, her three children and her 10 grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation to establish a scholarship in Waldman's honor. Funds will support students through financial assistance and mentorship, continuing her lifelong dedication to encouragement and care. A GoFundMe page is live now for the Carol Waldman Memorial Scholarship and Mentorship Program, organized by Joel Waldman. "This program will look beyond test scores and grades," the GoFundMe page reads. "It will invest in students and young people who may have struggled in school, who may have faced 'desirable difficulties' in their past, but who carry resilience, creativity, and drive that cannot be measured on a report card. These are the same kinds of students Carol devoted her life to, the ones she saw greatness in when others overlooked them."