Beloved Loyola physics teacher dies
Loyola Academy in Wilmette recently suffered the loss of faculty member Kevin Warnke on Feb. 8.
A physics teacher and former Naval reservist who retired a captain, Mr. Warnke, 61, died after a brief battle with cancer, Loyola stated in a news release.
"In his time here, I came to know Kevin as a man of wonderful wit, intellectual curiosity and faith," Loyola Principal Charles Heintz said in the release. "His death is a tremendous loss for our entire community, and he will be deeply missed."
Mr. Warnke came to Loyola in August 2015 as a physics and robotics teacher, and he also taught digital electronics there. He taught physics for three years at Waukegan High School before joining the science department in Wilmette.
"His love of life translated into the classroom," said Marissa Cervantes, Loyola's science department chair.
"Every life experience was a learning experience for Kevin, and he always had a goofy or adventurous story to share - this quality is what I will miss the most," she said.
He arrived in the field of education after working more than 20 years as an engineer with Abbott Laboratories in Des Plaines.
A 1981 graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a bachelor's of science degree in systems engineering, Mr. Warnke served six years of active duty as a surface warfare officer with the USS Arkansas and at the Naval Power Training Unit in Idaho Falls. He served 21 years in active reserve.
Before joining Abbott, Mr. Warnke earned a doctoral degree of philosophy in biomedical engineering from the University of Virginia.
Calling him a "true Renaissance man," his family also recalled his "passion for opera and esoteric literature."
Born to John and Joan Warnke in the U.S. Army Hospital in Munchweiler, Germany, on June 8, 1959, Mr. Warnke is survived by his wife, Anne; his brother, John (Lynne); and several nephews and great nephews.
Loyola Academy held a prayer service for Mr. Warnke on Feb. 8.
A visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 19 at Wenban Funeral Home, 320 Vine Ave., Lake Forest, with a maximum of 50 people allowed in at one time, subject to wearing masks and social distancing.
A funeral Mass will be at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 20 at Church of St. Mary, 175 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest; a limit of 100 people will be required to register on the church website, www.churchofstmary.org.
Memorial contributions for scholarship funds in Mr. Warnke's memory may be sent to Loyola Academy and St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Dover, New Hampshire.
For information contact Wenban Funeral Home, (847) 234-0022 or www.wenbanfh.com.