While this site is operational and has everything you need to learn about Bill and donate, we have an updated site that also includes information about our board, our winners and our goals.
The William P Lynch Memorial Fund is a regsitered 501(c)3 charitable organization.
After Bill passed away in 2023, donations were requested to the University of St. Thomas and Johnson Senior High in lieu of other gestures. The St. Thomas donations went to support the Class of 1965 Endowment. Other gifts went to the William P Lynch Memorial Scholarship at Johnson High School.
For the graduating classes since his passing, we've provided $1,000 scholarships to students who exemplified the perseverance, kindness, positivity and hard work for which Bill was known. We are now at a point where we can focus on the future and create something everlasting to keep Bill's legacy and scholarship alive.
As the fund grows, we hope to increase the amount given or the number of students awarded, and consider expanding to graduates from his church, Gustavus Adolphus, or from other Saint Paul Public Schools.
A whole book could be written about Bill, his six siblings and their escapades along South Shore Drive, Rainbow Beach, and at St Bride Catholic Church and School in Chicago, Illinois.
Bill followed in his father’s footsteps to Mount Carmel High School where he was a decent student and an excellent swimmer. He could have followed those same footsteps to Notre Dame, but didn’t feel he was a strong enough swimmer (despite earning a swimming scholarship). He chose the College of St Thomas (now University), where he majored in Business, got an MA in Education and dominated the MIAC as a swimmer and continued there as a swim coach after he graduated.
He and his first wife, Barb, married in 1967. They raised three genuine, kind, and wickedly smart children. Kerri, Kathleen and Kevin are truly a testament to their parenting.
From 1966-1992, Bill Lynch served students of Saint Paul Johnson High School in many roles: teacher, athletic director, assistant principal, class advisor, Close Up advisor, and coach. He was the kind of person who got stopped by former students, athletes or their parents who just want to let him know what a difference he has made in their lives. Four of his children also graduated from Johnson- Kathleen (1990), Kevin (1993), Erin (2015) and Joe (2019).
In 1993, he married Kristen and together they raised two genuine, kind and wickedly smart children: Erin and Joe.
In 1992-1998, he served the students of Highland Park Senior High as assistant principal and from 1998 until his retirement in 2003, he laid the foundation for the district's School-to-Future programming that continues today through its Office of College and Career Readiness.
After retirement, he took on the role of stay-at-home-parent and was active in Erin and Joe's daily lives. In his early years of retirement also stayed active as a consultant in the Saint Paul Public Schools, and volunteering at his church, Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church.
As Erin and Joe got older, Bill turned back to education by mentoring and supervising student teachers for many years at St. Thomas. He and his Class of '65 friends lead the creation K.I.T (Keeping in Touch) and of an endowment fund to serve the needs of current students.
Through his life of service, Bill had many significant achievements. However, he is remembered most importantly as a man who exemplified perseverance, kindness, positivity, and hard work.
Kristen wrote a book about her life with Bill— Mixtape: A Story of Love and Loss
Contact: wplynchmemorialfund@gmail.com