The tragic death of the principal of Christian Brothers High School, Rudolf Schulze, in a car accident Oct. 23 stunned all who knew him.

For students, there was the loss of the man who made it a point to greet them as they arrived at school, a principal who listened more than he talked.

For faculty, parents and staff, there was the loss of a friend who shared an unshakable faith, living it out day by day.

Schulze died in a solo car accident just after 3 a.m. on his 51st birthday while traveling southbound on Highway 65 near Pleasant Grove. Witnesses said his car, a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, drifted and then crossed the center and rolled into a guardrail.

It is believed that Schulze suffered a heart attack while driving.

During an Oct. 25 prayer service on campus for students and the school community, Christian Brother George Van Grieken remembered Schulze as “a true teacherÖsomeone who brought a kindness and thoroughness to our educational community and allowed each of us to do a little better and be a little better.”

Brother Van Grieken, who is director of the Christian Brothers’ community, said Scultze was “a great educator” who found a way to connect with both students and teachers.

Cecilia Powers, assistant principal, who had worked with Schulze since he joined the high school as principal in 2002, said the energetic administrator, affectionately known by his peers as “Rudy,” loved people.

“Everything he was involved in and supported honored young peopleÖtheir education and spiritual growth. He was particularly attentive to kids who struggled or had real challenges at home and in the classroom,” she said.

Prior to his three-year tenure as Christian Brothers’ principal, Schulze, a graduate of St. Ignatius High School in San Francisco and Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, served in various capacities for 13 years at De La Salle High School in Concord.

The former Jesuit priest had also served on the faculty of both Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose and St. Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco.

Domenic Puglisi, superintendent of Catholic schools, said from the day of Schulze’s arrival in Sacramento three years ago, he made an impact on Catholic education in the diocese.

“He was a true Catholic educator who didn’t just worry about spiritual formation but the whole issue of students’ personal safety and well-being,” said Puglisi, who worked with Schulze while he served as a member of the diocesan school board. “He had a tremendous impact on the board — making us think outside the box, always conscious of the social justice of our teachers.”

Schulze’s death was the latest in a string of tragedies to befall the school on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

In December of 2003, Sharmelia Jeffries, a 17-year-old Christian Brothers student, was killed in a hit-and-run accident involving a drunken driver. Less than a month later, another student, 17-year-old Matthew Prentice, died in a single-car accident on Interstate 80.

Grief counselors and teachers were on campus Oct. 25 to offer comfort and support to students who are still healing from the losses of the past year.

Alumnus Mike Caselli, who has a son who graduated from Christian Brothers last year and another enrolled as a sophomore, said Schulze even during the most difficult times inspired everyone around him.

“Rudy was a very calming presence for the kids,” said Caselli, who recalled that even when Schulze made unpopular decisions, they were backed with conviction and an explanation. “He always encouraged students to come up with ideas and make things work.”

Lorcan Barnes, who just took over as president of Christian Brothers four months ago, stood in the school gymnasium following the Oct. 25 service and watched the students somberly file out, his eyes filled with tears. Barnes’ thoughts were of a Catholic educator he found to be “religious, compassionate, and wise.”

He was touched as well by the outpouring of support and compassion shown by the students and administrators of Loretto, St. Francis and Jesuit High Schools, who were present for prayer services and provided grief counseling support for Christian Brothers’ students.

Bishop William K. Weigand was the principal celebrant of a memorial Mass for Schulze on Oct. 28 at the school, with Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Garcia and other priests concelebrating.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 30 in Holy Name of Jesus Church in San Francisco.

Schulze is survived by his paternal grandmother, mother, two brothers and a sister. Memorial donations be made in Schulze’s name to Christian Brothers High School, 4315 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Sacramento CA 95820.

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