Teacher worked in schools for fun even in retirement

When Ernest Rene De La Bruere worked as a teacher or principal, he never judged kids for their bad behavior, preferring to see the good in his students, said his son, David De La Bruere.

Instead of harsh lectures, the Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 instructor would take troubled kids under his advisement to make sure the students got through school.

"He just had a special way of relating to children," said David De La Bruere. "He talked to them like people, not like little things running around."

Mr. De La Bruere of Arlington Heights died Friday of lung cancer. He was 75.

He had a long career teaching the area's kids.

He worked for District 25 for more than 30 years, teaching at Kensington Elementary and serving as a principal at Windsor Elementary, the now-closed Rand Junior High and Dryden Elementary before retiring in 1990.

At 58, Mr. De La Bruere took early retirement because he received a good benefits package, said his wife, Audrey.

After leaving the profession, he started tinkering around the house, but he couldn't stay away from teaching for long. He began substitute teaching on the side for fun, she said.

"He got a lot of enjoyment out of it," said Audrey De La Bruere. "He liked to be around kids. He just liked kids in particular."

Mr. De La Bruere grew up in New Hampshire before serving in the Navy in the Korean War.

After the war, he attended Illinois State University, receiving a teaching certificate. He later went on to get his master's degree in teaching at Northern Illinois University.

Mr. De La Bruere began his career in Lincoln, Ill., but decided the money was better near the Chicago area. He and Audrey, who was also a teacher, moved to Crystal Lake.

He taught at local schools there for two years, before coming to District 25 where he finished out his career.

Mr. De La Bruere was diagnosed with lung cancer a few years ago. He had been a longtime smoker, but when his three sons took up the habit, he quit.

"He quit to lead by example for us," said David De La Bruere. "Now none of us smoke. He made us think twice about it."

The visitation and funeral was Tuesday at Meadows Funeral Home, 3615 Kirchoff Road in Rolling Meadows.

In lieu of flowers, send donations to the National Wildlife Federation, Source Code WSXRLGXS, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190-5362. For information, call (847) 253-0224.