Rockton community remembers longtime school bus driver, Don McCauley

ROCKTON, Ill. (WTVO) – When Sandi Kress went to work for school bus company First Student eight years ago, she became fast friends with veteran driver Don McCauley.

Kress last worked with McCauley on Friday, Sept. 13, and was shocked to learn that he died suddenly two days later.

“We will miss him greatly here at First Student,” Kress said. “He was very kind. He helped me learn the ropes a little bit. As an older driver, he gave me some tips.”

A former Chrysler worker, McCauley worked at First Student for 16 years. Kress said not a day went by during the time she knew him where he didn’t extend kindness to everyone he came in contact with.

“He loved his families,” she said. “He loved his kids on the bus, and they loved him right back just as much. He had such a great rapport with the kids and families—such a nice guy. You couldn’t help but like the guy.”

Cory Engesetter said she got to know McCauley through her daughter, who rode his bus for five years.

“That says a lot about a bus driver when your 8-year-old, she now 11, comes home and says how much she likes her bus driver,” Engesetter said.

Staff at First Student say they’ve brought themselves to say goodbye to McCauley. But filling his shoes will be a much bigger task.

“We’ll never be able to replace Don,” said Route Coordinator Jamie McNaughton. “We’ll get another driver, but it won’t be a Don McCauley. You can’t. He was one of kind.”

McNaughton said from the befriending families he served to buying donuts for teachers on field trips, McCauley went above and beyond what he was paid to do.

“He loved being here, and he enjoyed what he did,” she said. “It was like a calling for him, and he was good at it.”

McCauley was an airplane enthusiast and avid motorcycle rider. He lived in Rockton with his wife, Barb. He was 72.

Don’s celebration of life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at Louie’s Tap House in Roscoe.

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