A school leader in Iowa responds to the shooting death of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare

Jewell, Iowa – Prior to becoming the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, Brian Thompson was a well-liked Jewell alumni of South Hamilton High School.

Thompson attended the University of Iowa after graduating from high school in 1993.
“It speaks a lot about his drive that he came from a small town in Iowa and still managed to accomplish what he did,” stated Todd Coy, the principal of South Hamilton Middle and High School.

Thompson strolled into the corridors of the same structure that is still standing in Jewell. Coy, Thompson’s health and physical education teacher, had vivid memories of his time there.

Coy described him as an exceptional student who was modest. Everyone liked him, which is why he was most likely our class president. In his senior year, he served as homecoming king.

Thompson was a trombone player in the school band, according to Coy. He got chosen for the all-state band as well. Academically and in other areas, Thompson was a master at all he set his mind to.

He received our medal. “He was our best golfer,” Coy remarked.

Even though Thompson excelled in all of his academic endeavors and other endeavors, Coy claimed that his capacity to be a friend to everyone was what most impressed him.

According to Coy, “his classmates from ’93 would all tell you that they knew he was going to strive to be something big.” “None of them are surprised that I am the CEO of a major health insurance company.”

However, the news of Thompson’s passing was unexpected on Wednesday morning. Thompson was shot and died in downtown Manhattan on Wednesday morning. According to police, the shooter targeted a hotel where the corporation was having a meeting.

Coy remarked, “It was just really tragic and sad.”

According to Coy, some of the things he has read about his former pupil have been helpful to him during this time.

Coy remembers how wonderful Thompson’s family was when he was a student at South Hamilton School and added, “He’s pretty similar — it sounds like — as a father and family man to what he showed here way back in 1993.”

Thompson was someone you couldn’t help but be proud of, Coy said.

Coy remarked, “Brian was unquestionably one of those things we can hang our hat on.”