Principal found dead in parking lot outside Eden Prairie school
67-year-old Joe Epping
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (KMSP) - The principal of an Eden Prairie elementary school was found dead in his vehicle in the building's parking lot Monday night, according to a spokesperson for the district.
Police discovered Joe Epping, 67, on a welfare check around 9:15 p.m. at Cedar Ridge Elementary School, and say no foul play is suspected in the Chaska native's death.
Eden Prairie Superintendent Dr. Josh Swanson said in a statement that Epping was a beloved member of the staff at Cedar Ridge who will be sorely missed by parents, coworkers and the community at large.
“Joe was a beloved principal among staff, parents and students across Eden Prairie Schools," Swanson said. "He always put kids first. His humor, wit and gift of cultivating meaningful relationships were all reasons why we loved Joe.”
He came out of retirement to take the job at Cedar Ridge last year, adding on to a decorated 27-year career with the district, according to a release. Before retiring in 2014, Epping served as the longtime principal of Central Middle School in Eden Prairie, and has seen stints as a special education teacher, dean of students and assistant principal at Eden Prairie high school.