Jack Pidgeon, the long-time headmaster of Kiski School in Saltsburg, died last night from complications from Parkinson's disease. He was 83.

Mr. Pidgeon was a legendary figure on the Indiana County campus of the boys boarding school, where he served 45 years as headmaster, and used a hands-on style, emphasizing discipline and personal attention, that affected many students throughout their lives.

Besides running the school, he was an English teacher and coach of several sports including football and swimming -- and infamous for 5 a.m. practices for the latter. After retiring from Kiski in 2004 he became swim coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Burial will be private, his wife and former state treasurer Barbara Hafer said, but a public memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. June 8 at the Kiski campus. Arrangements, including RSVPs for the memorial service, are being handled by the Curran Funeral Home in Saltsburg at www.curranfuneralhome.com.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.