Students at St. Gregory High School, rushing to the end of the school year, were stopped cold in their tracks over the Memorial Day holiday when they received news of the sudden death of favorite teacher and assistant principal, Andrew Engel. Mr. Engel was 28 years old.
Upon completing a 10 mile race along the lakefront to Soldier Field on Saturday, Andrew complained to his dad, John Engel, of feeling dizzy. He rolled back, sat down and collapsed in his father's arms. He was pronounced dead an hour later. Although he was a novice runner, Andrew and his dad found the sport challenging and frequently ran together, bonding even more a relationship that was already strong.
St. Gregory was Andrew's first teaching position after receiving his degree from Bradley University, but he was no stranger to the neighborhood having graduated from St. Gregory Elementary School. Andrew's mother Brenda was a St. Gregory student herself during the '70s and has carved a niche as long-time cafeteria manager and well loved surrogate mom to a generation of students.
At 6'7" Mr. Engel was hard to miss! He brought youth, passion and creativity to the art of education. He led by example with a positive outlook, insatiable curiosity and high expectations for his freshmen. Guiding them through the transition from elementary to high school, Andrew challenged his students to make good choices as they laid a strong foundation to excel. Students who did well in Mr. Engel's classes were rightly proud of their achievements. Expanding their vision beyond the walls of St. Gregory, he invented exciting field trips ranging from a downtown scavenger hunt, to a visit to the Holocaust Memorial, to a week this spring in the rain forests of Costa Rica. Plans were already in the works for next year's trip to China.
St. Gregory has always been a small school. Among staff and faculty, bonds are tight. It isn't unusual for Brenda to cook something favorite for a birthday or ethnic for a cultural feast. Thanksgiving is never missed and students on holiday half days always start vacations with a hearty breakfast. Brenda is the kind of mom who listens — to the students, to the faculty, and most of all, judging by his character, to her son. Andrew held his mother Brenda in the deepest respect. Her birthday celebrations were Andrew's treat for the entire faculty. Only on the political front did they disagree. Andrew Hawk and Brenda Dove could lock horns with the best of them but they never let their differences come between them.
Andrew was a vociferous Cubs fan, and a traveler who loved visiting foreign countries. In this last year as assistant principal, he was proving himself to be an excellent administrator. Emotions run high at this time of year in any school. Stunned and in disbelief but knowing what had to be done, grief counselors were on site the following Tuesday and the Campus Ministry team put together an evocative and poignant memorial for staff and students upon their return from the holiday weekend. Sharing memories, stories, laughter and tears, the service ended with a packed church singing together a heartfelt rendition of Andrew's favorite song, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"!
The coroner said death was due to an enlarged heart. Those who knew and loved him were not surprised. A heart as big as Andrew's could embrace ideas, community, faith, family, students and colleagues.
A student was overheard saying that Mr. Engel was sure to get an "A" in heaven. That leads one to imagine that Andrew "Engel" has now become Andrew "Angel." Maybe this will be the year for the Cubs after all. |
