etichy@post-journal.com
Several buses are pictured Monday afternoon during a tribute to Rick Willman, a longtime bus driver for the Southwestern Central School District. Capt. Rick, as he was known, died Feb. 7 at UPMC Hamot in Erie, Pa.
Submitted photo
He was best known locally as Capt. Rick.
But for the Southwestern Central School District, Rick Willman was a two-decades-long employee who had an affinity for remembering students’ names and their accomplishments.
“He was always so personable and friendly,” said Southwestern Superintendent Maureen Donahue.
Though remembered widely as the longtime owner of the Summer Wind, the scenic cruiser of Chautauqua Lake that could be spotted often during summer evenings, Willman also served as a substitute teacher at Southwestern before he became a bus driver. In all, he spent about two decades with the school district.