The SAU community lost a respected and dedicated professor.

Jan. 27, 2005
By Jody Ferres
Layout Editor

Dr. Rick Koehler, associate professor of biology, passed away on Friday, Jan. 14, in Moline, due to cardiac arrest.

Dr. Koehler came to the SAU community ten years ago.  During the past decade, the Galesburg resident won over many students both inside the classroom and on the stage.

“He was really one of the best professors I’ve ever had,” said senior Leah Buckman. Buckman spent many hours with Koehler, both in class and working to prep for his labs.

“Genetics was hard…he made you learn.  But you didn’t realize you were learning until after the class was over and you would step back and say ‘whoa, I learned so much’.”

Because of his close tie with SAU, funeral services were held at Christ the King Chapel on Jan. 18.  The chapel, seating about 500, was nearly full.

Dr. Koehler’s wife, Gwen, said her husband saw things in students that other teachers didn’t always see.

“He had extremely high expectations for his students, and he wouldn’t let them get away with anything but the best of themselves,” said Gwen.  “He knew that students could excel and worked hard to pull that out of some that others didn’t necessarily think could.”

Dr. Koehler spent most of his life in the academia world.  After receiving his Bachelor of Science Microbiology from the University of Illinois Champaign, he received his Masters in Bio-Chemistry from Eastern Illinois University and his PhD in Genetics from the University of Illinois.  He taught for four years at the University of Illinois and Millikan University for four years before coming to SAU.

According to his wife, the late professor loved every minute of it.

“He really liked working at a Catholic University,” she said.  “He appreciated the theology and perspective that brings it to life.”

And President Rogalski assures everyone that the pleasure was all SAU’s.

“He was so talented and so well liked…he will be missed,” said Rogalski.  “We just feel so deeply for his wife and four children.”

Dr. Koehler was scheduled to teach a full semester beginning last week.  Because of the closeness of his death and the start of the spring semester, a few of the genetics classes had to be cancelled.  A search for a replacement has begun.

“We can’t respond that quickly,” said Rogalski.  “He was in genetics and it will take some time to search for a replacement.”

Other professors in the biology department are filling in for the lower level courses, while a few of the genetic courses had to be cancelled.  For students who were relying on taking those classes this semester to graduate in May, President Rogalski said they will be able to take an alternative class.

Buckman says those students who won’t be able to have in the classroom are truly missing out.

“It’s so sad that incoming students won’t get to know him and won’t get to experience his classes,” said Buckman.  “You could tell he loved teaching us.  SAU will never, ever be able to replace him and his teaching style.”

Dr. Koehler was also heavily involved with the theater at SAU and also Prairie Players in Galesburg.  He had roles in “Lonestar”, “Bedroom Farce” and “Little Shop of Horrors”, to name a few.

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