Gazette, The (Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, IA) - July 26, 2000
Deceased Name: Iowa 's 1st black principal dies
WATERLOO (AP) - East High School has been referred to as "The House That Walt Built."

With his philosophy of mutual respect, former Principal Walt Cunningham - the first black principal in Iowa - made a strong impression on all who passed through the school's doors.

Cunningham died Monday at Allen Memorial Hospital from complications of polymyositis, a rare disorder that causes muscles to swell, hurt and ultimately degenerate. He was 58.

He was diagnosed in 1987. Two years later, he left his job as principal to become deputy superintendent of Waterloo Community Schools, a position he held for eight years.

It was a fall in his driveway as he shoveled snow that finally caused Cunningham to retire three years ago at age 55.

Cunningham became Iowa's first black high school principal in 1976 when he started at East. In the preceding three decades, he had worked in the district as a math and science teacher and central office administrator.

Many in the community considered him a role model.

"I think for this community, there's just no single individual that I know of that has done more for children or the Waterloo community as a whole," said former Waterloo Schools administrator W. Ray Richardson, now deputy superintendent of the Ames school district. "There's absolutely no one I know who could fill his shoes."

Waterloo Board of Education President Robert Smith credits Cunningham with his election and said he felt as if he had lost a father.

"I don't think that's possible (being elected to the board as a black person) if there's not a Walt Cunningham before me."

Survivors include his wife, Ruth, and four sons.

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center with burial in the Garden Of Memories Cemetery.