Beloved teacher Mickey Wentz dies after battle with cancer

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Mickey Wentz will be remembered for his steadfast dedication to his community, hardworking attitude, sense of humor and his signature bowling shirts, which he wore to work at Littleton High School every day.

e beloved teacher, father, husband, coach, mentor and friend died on July 8, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

“Mickey could put a smile on your face when you were having a rough day or make you laugh when you didn’t think you could,” Sarah Bents, a fellow math teacher and friend of Mickey, wrote in an email to the Littleton Independent. “He was the rst person that would ask ‘What do you need?’ and help you however he could. Mickey will be missed by many.”

A deeply loved teacher

Mickey was born in San Diego, California, but lived most of his life in Littleton. He graduated from Littleton High School and attended the University of Denver.

Along with serving in the U.S. Coast Guard as a rescue swimmer for eight years, he made an impact in his career as a teacher. He taught math to middle and high schoolers for a total of 24 years, including 14 years at Littleton High School. He also taught in Englewood Public Schools.

“He was that rare instruc- tor that not only understood, but embraced the concept that kids come before curriculum – relationships rst, meet the students where they are, and the educational success will soon follow,” Wentz’s long-time friend and fellow LHS teacher, om Uhl, wrote in an email to the Littleton Independent.

Beyond teaching his students math, Wentz cared about “making them better people and letting them know he cared,” wrote Littlton High’s math department chair and Wentz’s friend, Jared Prince.

Uhl said countless students who hated school or math showed up to Wentz’s class every day because he made them feel valued, loved, respected – and would even make sure they were fed.

Current and former stu- dents emphasized Wentz’s impact on them through comments on social media and on a GoFundMe page raising money for medical and funeral expenses for the Wentz family.

“Mr. Wentz was my favorite math teacher, rst at Sinclair Middle School then later at Littleton High School,” David Gilbert, a former student and current employee at the City of Littleton, wrote on the GoFundMe page. “I used to stick around after school to talk politics with him. He treated me with more dignity and respect than any other teacher, and helped challenge and hone my view of the world.”

“ ank you for being patient with me as a student and helping me so much with a subject that gave me intense anxiety,” another commenter, Ivy Secrest, wrote on the page. “You’re an amazing teacher and deeply loved by the Littleton community.”

Every time LHS had a “dress like a teacher” spirit day, student’s love for Wentz went on display as dozens of students wore colorful bowling shirts and Hawaiian shirts – articles of clothing that one colleague and friend described as Wentz’s “uniform.”

Beyond the classroom

In addition to his role as a math teacher, Wentz coached golf, football and soccer. He was an advisor for Littleton High School’s student council and facilitated the school’s Shades of Blue STEM program.

He also taught driver’s education and hosted a weekly club in his classroom where students would play Dungeons and Dragons after school.

“He would take on things that other teachers wouldn’t because that’s how you connect with kids,” wrote Mollie Pitrone, a special education teacher at LHS who worked with Wentz. is above-and-beyond dedication applied far beyond Wentz’s school-related roles.

“He was a ercely dedicated husband to his wife and father to their son,” wrote Uhl. “Whether providing for his family, working countless side gigs, serving his community as a math teacher, or cooking – Mickey always went above and beyond to look after those he loved.”

In re ecting on Wentz’s life, several of his friends mentioned his love for cooking. He loved sharing recipes and meals with his family, and even made an appearance on national television.

“Mickey LOVED cooking for others and even competed in the reality TV cooking show, Worst Cooks in America, after accidentally giving his son, Christian, Salmonella poisoning,” wrote Uhl. “In actuality, Mickey was an excellent cook – one of his best dishes being eggs benedict.” e GoFundMe organized by Pitrone to support the family with staggering medical bills and funeral expenses has raised almost $20,000. Donations can be made at https://www.gofundme. com/f/gxd7y7-lions-helping-lions-mickey-wentz.

He also enjoyed shing, traveling, music, classic movies, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Road Shows and annually watching Shark Week, according to his friends.

From his sense of humor, to his deep compassion, to his hospitality and dedication, Wentz made an impact on his community that will be long remembered.

Mickey will be buried with military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery, with details on the service to be shared in upcoming weeks, Uhl wrote. ose who attend are encouraged to wear bowling shirts in Wentz’s honor.