'Beloved' Teacher Dies of Cardiac Event After Collapsing on Popular Hiking Trail

A man who died while hiking on a celebrated way successful Maryland past week was identified arsenic a beloved beingness acquisition teacher.

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) confirmed nan decease of Todd Funkhouser, 53, who taught astatine Sugarland Elementary School successful Sterling, Va., successful a connection shared pinch PEOPLE.

“Todd was a cherished personnel of nan LCPS family, having taught successful various schools for nan past 30 years,” LCPS spokesperson Dan Adams said successful a statement. “He was a beloved personnel of Sugarland Elementary School wherever he was nan Physical Education teacher.  We stock successful his family’s condolences and are supporting them arsenic they navigate this difficult time.”

According to nan U.S. Park Police and a published obituary, Funkhouser, of Gerrardstown, W.Va., knowledgeable a cardiac arena while hiking connected nan Billy Goat Trail connected Monday, Oct. 13. He reportedly fell from a rocky spot connected nan way and was later pronounced dormant by first responders, Loudoun Now, ABC connection WJLA and Fox connection WTTG reported. 

“Some bully samaritans saw his illness and instantly called 911,” Funkhouser’s sister Lauren wrote successful an Oct. 14 station connected her brother’s Facebook page. “Paramedics did their champion to prevention him, but nan terrain prevented them from reaching him successful time.”

According to his obituary, Funkhouser was calved an Air Force brat successful Michigan and played shot successful precocious school. He taught and coached astatine Park View High School successful Sterling earlier later becoming a beingness acquisition coach astatine Sugarland Elementary. 

“To opportunity he was a beloved and effective coach - nary matter wherever aliases what he was school - is an understatement,” his obituary stated. “He treated each personification he encountered pinch respect and a willingness to thief and ever said really fortunate he felt to activity pinch 'his' kids.”

“In summation to way running, he loved hitting nan gym early successful nan morning. He was joyful, thoughtful, and profoundly beloved by each who sewage to cognize him done nan various aspects of his life, and he was astir apt nan funniest personification astir of america knew,” nan obituary later added. 

The tribute besides noted that Funkhouser served successful Iraq arsenic a personnel of nan Virginia Army National Guard. He is survived by his mother, sister and different family. 

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“My mom and I want to convey you each for nan benignant words we’ve already received,” Lauren, who said nan Billy Goat Trail was a favourite of her brother’s, wrote connected Facebook. “Our hearts spell retired to everyone arsenic we stock nan load of losing Todd - who was conscionable a bully quality being and funny arsenic hell."

According to nan National Park Service, nan Billy Goat Trail, located southeast of nan Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center successful Potomac, Md., is regarded arsenic 1 of nan busiest trails successful nan D.C. area. It consists of 3 different sections whose hiking levels alteration from easy to strenuous.  

The U.S. Parks Police and nan Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service did not instantly respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.