Longtime Andrew High School Biology Teacher Dies Over Weekend

TINLEY PARK, IL — A longtime Andrew High School biology teacher described as "beloved" and "respected" died over the weekend, according to the school. The family of Lloyd Eichwald told school officials of the teacher's death Sunday afternoon, Principal Bob Nolting stated in a message sent to parents. A cause of death was not given in the message.

"Mr. Eichwald was not ill nor had any health conditions, making his passing all the more suprising and challenging to understand," Nolting wrote.

Counselors and social workers will be available for students Monday, according to Nolting. Information about funeral services for Eichwald also will be shared "as appropriate," he added.

"For those who knew Mr. Eichwald knew a teacher who was passionate about his subject, but more passionate about the connections," Nolting wrote. "He was beloved by students and respected by colleagues."

Parents and Andrew students on a Tinley Park community Facebook page expressed their shock over Eichwald's death Sunday night. They also offered condolences to the teacher's family, and many talked about their admiration for him.

"My son is currently in Mr. Eichwald’s class, he is shocked and heartbroken," wrote one mother. "We had the honor of meeting him during parent teacher conference ... what an AMAZING teacher he was, so passionate. He will dearly be missed!"

"Mr. Eichwald was my all time favorite teacher," a former student wrote. "I hated science but loved his class. He had such a passion for science and it made me so happy to see someone get so happy about their job."

The mother of one of the students Eichwald taught described how the teacher inspired her son to pursue a career in science.

"My son had Mr. Eichwald and he encouraged my son's interest in biology," she wrote. "My son went on to major in molecular cellular biology at U of I, got his masters, and now works to fund scientific research."

And more than a decade's worth of comments on Eichwald's page on Rate My Teachers, a website that allows students to anonymously evaluate educators, reflected similar appreciation. Many students talked about his dedication to teaching students, a quality that made his class a challenging and rewarding experience.

"Eichwald was the best teacher I've had," a 2009 comment stated. "He was the first teacher that could (and did) explain difficult concepts to me in terms I could understand. It was easy to tell that he greatly enjoyed what he was doing."

Students also wrote about Eichwald's sense of humor and good nature, something that came through in the way he greeted students at the start of class by saying, "Good morning, aspiring scholars."

"[W]hat can I say? greatest teacher i ever had. he's the reason why i want to continue learning science," according to a 2003 comment.

Andrew High School teacher Lloyd Eichwald (Photo via Andrew High School | Consolidated High School District 230)