Clearwater High School Teacher, Coach Leaves Legacy Of School Spirit

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater High School Athletic Director Kathy Biddle said she was thrilled when the school named its newly installed turf football field the Katherine H. Biddle Field at Jack White Stadium in her honor last August.

However, the longtime Clearwater High School teacher and coach said the generations of students she's taught and coached will always be her lasting legacy.

Following a long, hard-fought battle against breast cancer, Biddle died Tuesday, March 15.

Biddle was quick to dismiss those who described her as a legend at Clearwater High School. Ever humble, she said she never did anything to earn that title. She was simply a teacher and coach who was devoted to her students.

Those students say otherwise.

Biddle was a physical education and social studies teacher at Clearwater High School for 43 years as well as the track, cross-country and cheerleading coach.

During that time, she led the high school to eight district championships, eight conference championships, four regional championships and several state tournament appearances.

For the past 20 years, she also served as the high school's graduation coordinator and senior class sponsor.

For Biddle, Clearwater High School wasn't simply the place where she worked. It was home.

Five years after earning her bachelor's degree in physical education from Florida State University,she was back at her alma mater as a full-time teacher.

Even a diagnosis of Stage 4 breast cancer in October 2019 couldn't keep her away from the school.

She underwent treatment for her cancer while continuing to teach, coach and cheer the Tornadoes on from the sidelines.

Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Michael Grego described her as a "force of nature."

"I think the city of Clearwater and the county and the community are indebted to Mrs. Biddle," he said.

"She was loved by everyone," said longtime friend Jenna Bostic. "She loved Clearwater High and the students, sports, the Florida State Seminoles and Disney. She was positive until the end, keeping everyone up to date through her posts. She will be missed by so many."

"Mrs. Biddle is the most beautiful soul I've ever met," former student Garet Springer said. "She really cares about people. Out of all my 12 years in school, she definitely was my favorite."

"Coach Biddle was an amazing person who thought and helped others before herself," said Todd Belisle. "She will continue to look down on the field and track eternally."

In March, Biddle was among eight women honored by the Clearwater Historical Society Museum and Cultural Center for National History Month. The exhibit in her honor was a tribute to the school where she devoted more than 40 years of her life, including photos of students, trophies and signed sports memorabilia, as well as a tribute to her dedication that earned her induction into the Kiwanis Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1992, Social Studies Teacher of the Year in 2007, induction into Clearwater High School's Varsity Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, Pinellas County School Commitment to Excellence in Athletics recipient in 2014, Suncoast Football Conference Association Administrator of the year in 2018, inaugural recipient of the Pinellas County Athletic Administration Leadership Award, honorary thespian for drama at the high school and Pinellas county Schools Cross-Country and Track Coach of the year eight times.

Sharing her honors as well as the tougher days undergoing treatment for breast cancer, her husband, Bob, was her constant companion.

They were introduced by a cake decorator at the bakery Bob Biddle managed but their first date didn't go quite as planned. She stood him up.

"She had been enjoying time with her family and completely forgot about the date," he said.

Fortunately, she remembered their second date, which eventually led to their marriage on June 21, 1980.

Forty-one years later, he was still by her side when she drew her last breath.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her mother Linda Hershfelt Woodhouse; sisters, Susan Hershfelt Katte (Nick), Helen Hershfelt Avers (John) and Lynda Hershfelt Gorken (Greg); sisters-in-law Beth Biddle, Joleen Frank and Kathy Wellens (Mike); nieces and nephews, Christina Katte Brantley (Stan), Mathew Katte (Taylor), Michelle Katte, Taylor Gorken, Kendall Gorken, Griffiin Gorken, Reed Avers, Erin Avers, Jordyn Avers, Cassie Jo Frank, Colin Frank (Kathy), Deakin Donley and Abby Wellens; great nieces and nephews Grayson, Tessalyn, Maizie Brantley and Ethan Katte.

A celebration of life took place Saturday, April 16 at the Church of the Ascension. Click here for the video.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Church of the Ascension, the American Cancer Society, the ASPCA or Metropolitan Ministries.

Sunset Point Funeral Home in Clearwater was in charge of arrangements.