A longtime former Carl Sandburg College educator known for his dedication to teaching, a passion for computers, a love for basketball and a zest for life is being remembered for his impact on thousands of former students, fellow faculty members and many friends and family.
Affectionately tabbed “everyone’s favorite teacher” by a former colleague, Larry Schroeder — who taught math and natural sciences at Sandburg from 1975-1999 — died Saturday, Feb. 1 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center. He was 77.
Schroeder earned many teaching honors during career, capped by receiving the Carl Sandburg College Distinguished Service Award on May 16, 2013. A plaque hangs in his honor in the building D lobby on campus.
“He was everyone’s favorite teacher,” said colleague and friend Wendel Hunigan, who taught sociology at Sandburg from 1972-2008. “He was a great faculty member, and he was great out of the classroom.
“He took an interest in his students. He was the type of teacher that if a student was struggling, he would invite them over to his house. He would work with that student in any way he could.”
Obituary: Larry S. Schroeder ~ November 7, 1947 – February 1, 2025
Born on Nov. 7, 1947, in Burlington, Iowa, Schroder was a proud veteran of the United Sates Army, serving in the Vietnam War. Following his service, he pursued higher education, earning his master’s degree from Western Illinois University. His passion for learning led him to a lifelong career in teaching, beginning at Dixon Grade School and culminating in 25 years as a beloved mathematics professor at Carl Sandburg College.
“Larry was one of a kind, and that’s putting it mildly,” said another former colleague and friend Jim Graham, who taught political science and history at Sandburg from 1979-2010. “They say teachers influence an eternity — you just never know when or if their influence ends.
“I cried after I learned of his passing.”
Schroder’s obituary says he loved technology, especially the calculator, which led him to computer programming, developing educational software and contributing to mathematics textbooks.
‘A golden age of teaching’
Former colleagues and students praise Schroeder’s passion and dedication to teaching.
“He was a great teacher,” Graham said. “He genuinely cared about his students. He wasn’t going to give them a free pass, but he would do anything to make sure that they learned. And I’ve always thought you have to be a good teacher to teach math because it’s so cumulative.”
Jeff Gomer, CFO at Thrive Community Services and Professor of Practice Business & Management at Knox College said, “(Schroder) was one of my favorite professors while I was a student at Sandburg from 1981-83. He taught advanced level of mathematics courses and was highly intelligent but he always had a sense of humbleness with his students that came to the forefront.
“I was always comfortable asking him questions and he had a great sense of humor which put his students at ease. It’s not always easy for students transitioning from high school to college, but Professor Schroeder made it a very enjoyable experience. He will be greatly missed.”
Graham said for he, Schroeder and many of his first-generation colleagues at Sandburg, “It was a time when you’d go into the classroom with a piece of chalk and a chalkboard. And you’d go home with chalk on your clothes. As Wendel Hunigan says, we taught in the golden age of teaching, and I agree with that.”
Those who knew Schroder say he had an innate ability to teach not just in the classroom but in every aspect of life. He coached Little League baseball, youth basketball, soccer, and later took great joy in coaching his grandchildren.
He was an avid follower of the NBA, especially the Chicago Bulls.
“Larry was a big basketball fan,” Graham said. “We used to play a lot of noon basketball out at Sandburg, and we played in the intramural leagues. That was probably one of his most favorite things to do.”
A passion for conversation: ‘Schroederized’
Schroeder had an undeniable passion for conversation, a sentiment echoed by all who knew him, including myself—a former student from the early 1980s and my neighbor in the Sweetbrier subdivision for more than 25 years.
Guaranteed, if Larry was outside in his immaculately manicured yard — which he often was — I could not get past the Schroeder home without an extended conversation with my former teacher.
“We used to say people got Schroederized,” Graham said with a laugh. “He would have a lot of say. We would talk often on the phone — I would call him, and he would call me. And when you talked to Larry on the phone, you just knew you were going to be on the phone for quite a while.”
Hunigan added, “If you started a conversation with Larry, you better be prepared for it to last at least 10 minutes.
“I actually saw Larry a couple of weeks ago. He drove by my house, just to say hi. He did not look healthy, and I told my wife since he has passed, it’s almost like he was stopping to say goodbye.
“It’s hard for me to believe he’s passed away. Words can’t express my admiration and my love for Larry Schroeder. He, his wife Mary and all of his kids are just great human beings. It’s a true loss.”
Nearly every time as I walked away Larry’s driveway after a talk, I’d overhear him tell his wife, “I had Jay as a student back in the 80s.”
Well, I’m proud to say, I had Larry Schroeder as a teacher, and could call him a lifetime friend.
Larry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary, and their four children: Amy Gugliotta, Thomas Schroeder, Bridget (Scott) Good, and Kevin (Vicky) Schroeder. His love extended to his nine grandchildren-Megan, Anna, Sophia, and Andrew Gugliotta; Liam, Kennedy, Kian, and Owen Good; and Wyatt Schroeder; as well as his great grandson, Maverick Daniels. He was also deeply loved by his brother, Melvin (Andy) Schroeder; and his nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Larry Schroeder will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Private family burial with military honors will be at Rock Island National Cemetery, Rock Island.