By day, students and staff at Edmond Memorial High School know Head Principal Keith Pautler as the kind but firm hand who keeps the hallways orderly and classrooms educational. But outside of school, he has a hobby students may never expect. In Pautler’s free time, he rides along the backroads of Oklahoma on his 2015 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Special, a motorcycle he calls “Lucille.”
Pautler’s interest in motorcycles began in elementary school when he visited his family’s farm in southern Illinois, where a motorcycle stored in a shed caught his attention. The sparks of curiosity turned into his first riding experience, which then led to a hobby he pursued the rest of his life.
“We went out, got a battery for it, put some fuel in it, fired it up and away I went,” Pautler said. “No training, no nothing, just riding around on the farm all week.”
That early experience stuck with him as he grew up. Riding motorcycles remained a comforting hobby throughout his life, even when his responsibilities increased as an educator and principal. Over time, motorcycles became a symbol of freedom, enjoyment and memories of his father, who passed away at age 49.
“My dad told me one time that there were things in his life he had never done because he focused so much on career and family,” Pautler said. “One of those was learning how to ride a motorcycle. I’ve always thought about [riding] as an opportunity for me not to regret any time that I have on this planet.”
After long days at school handling his administrative duties, Pautler finds peace in riding, viewing it as a necessity to create balance in his life. This allows him to reset and reflect on his day or week. Most of his rides take him along clear highways and rural areas. He prefers these quiet routes because they leave more space to take in the views and appreciate the moment.
“There’s something about going down the back roads and being one with the environment,” Pautler said. “You can take in the beauty of the scenery in a way that you don’t get to in a car. It gives me time to process all the problems of last week or things that I need to deal with. It allows me to think about them carefully.”
Motorcycles have also influenced Pautler’s family. His son, Austin Markley, grew up watching him ride and has since found his own appreciation for the hobby. Although Pautler usually rides his motorcycle alone, making time for father and son to ride together is something important to both of them.
“Having someone close to you [who is] riding next to you is a great feeling,” Markley said. “You obviously don’t do much talking while riding, but just the idea of doing an activity you both love together and letting any stress or worries fade away can help build a strong relationship.”
Pautler likes to talk to students about motorcycling and connect it with their hobbies, making it related to them and their time management. As students prepare to become busier in the future, he believes it is important to make time for personal interests and hobbies.
“If you don’t take a little time for yourself, you’ll start to regret the work or school,” Pautler said. “It’s important to build that time into your life to do the things you find fun.”
Many people at EMHS know Pautler as the principal who is dedicated to the school, but on the road, motorcycles provide freedom and a relaxing space to create balance in his life. Motorcycling has been the outlet he needed from early childhood to today.
Contact Anna Vitiello at [email protected]
