DAVID REED BIDWELL

October 27, 1964 – September 2, 2026

David Reed Bidwell, 61, a Cincinnati native, passed away on September 2, 2026.

David was the son of the late Bob and Pat Bidwell. He attended Archbishop Moeller High School, where he swam and played water polo, and graduated from the University of Dayton, where he also played water polo. A lifelong advocate for education, David earned two master’s degrees from Xavier University.

David devoted 34 years to teaching sixth grade in the Kings Local School District. His commitment to his community also included serving on the Kings Local School Board, coaching and supporting athletics at Kings and Roger Bacon High School, and many years as a lifeguard and pool manager for the Landen pools.

David was a member of the coaching staff of the 2002 Roger Bacon boys basketball team that won the Division II State Championship, defeating Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary and a young LeBron James—a very proud moment! In 2026, David received Roger Bacon’s Joe Corcoran Award in recognition of his longtime service to the Athletic Department.

David is survived by his beloved wife, Erin (née Pennington); cherished twins, Grace and Connor; loving sisters, Paula (Martin) Gehring and Tracey (Dave) Martin; devoted sister-in-law, Amy Fezzey (Tom); dear mother-in-law, Marty Ripberger; adored nieces, Pamela (Andrew) Pretorius, Anna Gehring, Kate (Jay) DeLanoy, Carrie Martin, Loren (Nick) Weber, and Marly (Sean) Ramsey; nephews, Ben (Cheyenne) Martin and Jake (Aisha) Pennington; and many beloved grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Dallas Pennington; and brother-in-law, John Pennington.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 11, 2026, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N. Riverside Drive, Loveland, Ohio. Visitation will also be held Saturday, September 12, from 9:30–10:45 a.m. at St. Margaret of York, 9499 Columbia Road, Loveland, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Luncheon following the interment, from 12:00–4:00 p.m. at The Manor House, 7440 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in David’s honor to Kings Local School District, Attn: Treasurer, 1797 King Ave., Kings Mills, OH 45034 (checks only; “Dave Bidwell” in memo line); Roger Bacon High School, 4320 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45217 or online at rogerbacon.org/giving/donate; or Archbishop Moeller High School at donate.moeller.org.