Rolling Meadows HS mourns two staffers

Rolling Meadows High School students and faculty are remembering two longtime staff members who passed away this week.

Patricia Schreiner and Ken Cooper had both been at Rolling Meadows for several decades. Both died Wednesday, said Principal Eileen Hart.

“It was a really difficult day yesterday,” she said.

Cooper, 54, started as a security guard 20 years ago but spent the last 17 years as a physical education teacher at the high school. He also helped coach football.

“Coop,” as people called him, was funny and well-liked by students and staff, Hart said.

“He was just really cherished. He always put the students first,” she added.

Cooper was hospitalized with heart trouble over the weekend.

Cooper was inducted into the 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame in 2006. According to their website, he played on local and national teams and was named an All-American.

Schreiner, 77, was an administrative assistant and had been at Rolling Meadows High School for 36 years, Hart said.

“She was very knowledgeable, highly skilled and the staff always appreciated everything she did,” she said. Schreiner had been dealing with some medical issues, but continued to come to work throughout, she added.

On Wednesday afternoon Rolling Meadows sent out an email to families and had counselors available for both students and staff.

“Right now our building is trying to heal from two significant losses and everyone here is wishing both families well,” Hart said.