Bowling coach passes away

By CATHERINE MEIDELL

Craig Lofthouse, USU bowling instructor and bowling club coach, passed away Wednesday between five and  6 p.m. due to surgical complications, said Brian Olsen, USU bowling club president. Lofthouse was 53 years old.

    Lofthouse was employed with USU for eight years and had been a dedicated bowling coach to youth and college-age students in Cache Valley for 17 years.

The precise cause of Lofthouse’s sudden death is unknown, but Olsen said his daughter, Casey Rowley, believes something went wrong during an operation to fix damage done after he was thrown from a horse. He fell off the horse Oct. 22, which caused his pelvis to break. Lofthouse also suffered injuries from being trampled by the horse.

    He was quickly transported to Logan Regional Hospital where he was immediately Life Flighted to McKay-Dee Hospital Center in Ogden, Utah. After doctors performed surgery to mend his broken pelvis, Olsen said.

    Doctors are looking into whether or not Lofthouse’s death may have been linked to his history of high blood pressure. Olsen said his family members were concerned his blood pressure would heighten during recovery.

    Lofthouse is survived by his wife of 31 years, Belynne Lofthouse, and his daughters, Casey Rowley and Maddie Lofthouse.

    A viewing will be held Sunday, Nov. 7 from 6-8 p.m. at the Allen-Hall Mortuary located at 34 E. Center St. Graveside services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 8 in the Paradise, Utah cemetery located at 8998 S. 200 E.

– catherine.meidell@aggiemail.usu.edu