Former Larkin HS principal remembered for instilling pride

When new Larkin High School Principal Jon Tuin was cleaning out the closets at his new building this summer, he found an old Larkin Royals golf bag, a reminder of former Principal Renate Matthaeus' passion for sports at the Elgin high school - especially golf.

On Friday, former colleagues and friends recalled Matthaeus' dedication to Larkin sports and her intense pride in the school she led for 15 years. Matthaeus died Friday after a long illness, according to the school.

Officials in Elgin Area School District U-46 credited Matthaeus with cultivating the strong Larkin Royals pride that survives to this day and establishing many of the school's traditions.

"She was very proud of her school," school board President Ken Kaczynski said. "The kids that went through there are proud to be Larkin grads because she was so proud of her school."

Kaczynski recalled Matthaeus cheering at basketball games when Kaczynski's daughter was on the team.

"She was very involved in the school. You always saw her at events. She knew the kids," Kaczynski said. "She really cared about what was going on with them."

Given her passion for Larkin sports, it was fitting that her former school paused for a moment of silence in Matthaeus' memory before Friday's Larkin football game.

"It's been pretty hard for a lot of people around here," Tuin said. "A lot were still very close to her."

Tuin said school staff will discuss how best to honor Matthaeus and may establish a scholarship fund in her name.

Friend and former colleague Jean Bowen said Matthaeus came to the United States from East Germany and taught German at several Elgin-area schools before assuming the top post at Larkin.

"She came to this country as a non-English speaker and not only mastered the language well but was a tremendous example for so many young people," said Bowen, who served as Larkin's assistant principal during Matthaeus' tenure.

Outside of school, Matthaeus was a Rotary Club member, skier, car enthusiast and "superb golfer." Bowen said, "She was a woman of many interests and many, many talents."

When Matthaeus retired, she had served in District U-46 schools for 37 years. Matthaeus was living in the Naples, Fla. area at the time of her death. Funeral arrangements were not available.