Euclid Alumni Take 5 with Kathy Rymarczyk Goepfert '79

At Euclid Senior High School, Kathy earned a letter "E" for all three years in Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track. Not just an athlete, she was President of her Senior Class and planned the Class of 1979's five, 10, 20 and 25 year reunions. After Euclid, Kathleen graduated from Kent State University with a major in Criminal Justice, where she was a "walk on" freshman to the Cross Country and Track teams, and was awarded a varsity jacket. While at Kent, she served on the Student Conduct Advisory Board and the Intramural Student Board, was awarded Outstanding Leader of the Month in October 1983 and the Senior Service Award in 1984. She later earned a Master of Public Administration at Cleveland State University and is a graduate of the Cleveland State Leadership Academy, Class XXIV.

Kathy completed 34 years of public service and was Director of Special Projects for the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer when she retired in 2016. Currently, she is serving her fifth term as a Rocky River School Board Member, where she was elected to her first term in 2001. Kathleen is a member the Rocky River Recreation Commission (2008-Present), and served on the Rocky River Education Foundation (2008-2010), the Rocky River City Economic and Development Advisory Board (2003-2005), and was a PSR Teacher at St. Christopher’s Church (2003-2010).

Kathy has been married to Tom Goepfert for 30 years and they have been Rocky River residents for 22 years. They have two children, Jessica and Matthew. Matthew was a place kicker for the Rocky River High School football team and he and Kathy raised more than $7,000 for Kick-It for Kids Cancer.

Where did you grow up?

I moved to Euclid in the seventh grade and grew up on E. 209th Street off of Lakeshore Blvd.

Where did you go to school before Euclid High?

I went to elementary school at St. Paul School on E. 200th between St. Clair Ave. and Chardon Rd. and then Shore Junior High School.

What teacher or class do you most remember and why?

Bob Ramlow.  He was my health teacher as well as my cross country coach. I was a member of the first girls’ team Coach Ramlow coached. Our workouts consisted of runs on the beach at Mentor Headlands, Cleveland Metroparks' Squire's Castle, or a running game of golf and canoeing. He made running fun. He inspired us not to only succeed on the course but also to succeed in life. Coach Ramlow cared about each one of us. Coach Ramlow and his wife, Barb, always had an open door policy at their house in Euclid. Dawn Woodruff (1978) and I spent many weekends with the Ramlow Family. Coach Ramlow was my Mentor and friend.  

Did you have a favorite spot In Euclid and what did you like about it?

The E Room. It’s the place you could share stories with your classmates. It’s the place we had prom. It’s the place we came back to for our 10th year Reunion. Decorating it was always a fun challenge.

What, if anything, about your Euclid High experience would you do over?

Nothing. I thoroughly enjoyed my years at Euclid Senior High.