MADISON, Wis. -- After battling cancer, popular former Madison East High School principal Milton McPike died on Saturday night.

The Madison Metropolitan School District said that McPike passed away overnight at a hospice care facility, WISC-TV reported.

Family, friends, former staff and students said that they're remembering McPike as a man many called an educational hero.

For 40 years, McPike made his life educating youth. He spent 28 of those years in the Madison school district. For five years, he was an assistant principal at West High School, then as principal at East High School for 23 years.

"I've seen so much success through kids who everybody else has given up on," McPike said in a 1992 interview.

He shared his secrets on building relationships with his students.

"Put your arms around him, hug him, and say you look nice, but those are warm fuzzies. Do you want warm fuzzies? Hmm, mmm. Do I want warm fuzzies? Yep. Because sometimes we feel like we're out there all alone, and kids do too," he said.

When McPike retired in 2002, Madison Superintendent Art Rainwater called him the heart and soul of East High. He said, "Milt is East High."

During his tenure as East's principal, McPike earned many prestigious honors. In 1989, East was named a National High School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. In 1990, he won the Reader's Digest National Hero In Education. In 1998, McPike was named Educator of the Year by Wisconsin Manufacturer's and Commerce.

McPike retired in 2002, but couldn't completely keep his hands out of education.

In 2004, Gov. Jim Doyle appointed McPike to the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents. He served on the board until he announced earlier this month that he was stepping down. A rare form of cancer forced his resignation, WISC-TV reported.

McPike attended Northeast Missouri State University Teacher's College in Kirskville, Mo., from 1958 to 1962. He played football and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 12th round of the 1962 draft.

But he considered teaching his greatest accomplishment. He taught physical education and coached for 11 years in Quincy, Ill., before coming to Madison.

McPike passed away Saturday evening. He was 68 years old. Funeral plans are pending.