Video: Former Bellevue school superintendent dead at 58

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BELLEVUE - Former superintendent of the Bellevue School District, Dr. Michael Riley, was found dead in his Virginia apartment on Wednesday morning. He was 58.

Riley had just moved from Bellevue last year to lead the College Board as a senior vice president, based on the East Coast.

Bellevue school board member Judy Bushnell said the district learned of Riley's death after his wife couldn't contact him at his Virginia apartment.

"(She) grew concerned, so she asked someone in the apartment complex where he was staying to please go in there and see, and he was found on the floor," she said.

Riley's drive to succeed took him to the East Coast at the end of last year, but for more than a decade he led the Bellevue School District.

"Mike was an extremely powerful force, he was charismatic, he got parents behind him. He was a catalyst for change," said friend Diane Douglas.

Riley was largely credited with increasing the number of Bellevue students in advanced placement classes, helping students getting consistently high WASL test scores and getting Bellevue on Newsweek's list of top high schools in the country.

The Seattle Times

Former Bellevue school superintendent Mike Riley.

"Everyone talks about Newsweek and that was just a symbol," said Bushnell.

She said Riley's work ethic also helped to put Bellevue on the map.

"He was willing to work 18-20 hours a day to put that into place here," she said.

"It's such a waste and such a sad day for all of us who have had a chance to interact with someone as gifted as he is."

College Board president Gaston Caperton issued a statement saying "Mike Riley was our friend and colleague for many years. We respected his intellect, his knowledge and his unwavering commitment to improving education. We'll miss many things about Mike - his warmth, his wit and his quiet confidence, and we, along with educators around the country, will mourn the loss of one of our most valued voices. We at the College Board will carry Mike's vision forward and are confident that his legacy will be a better education for underserved high school students, about whom he cared so deeply."

An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday.