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24, 1959 - January 1, 2023

Slide shows, a golf cart, and statistics. These are a few of the many legacies he leaves behind. On January 1, 2023, the Bishop Kelley community lost Dan Schmitz, a true Comet. During his 34 years at Bishop Kelley, students and faculty experienced Dan’s kindness, his sincerity, and his Catholic faith.

Dan graduated from BK in 1977 and was invited back to BK in 1989 to teach theology. From organizing department lunches to leading “primal screams” on Fridays, Dan became a beloved member of the PC community. In addition, during all his years at BK, he was a leader on several Kairos retreats, a member of the Lasallian Society Signum Fedei, and a facilitator of a small group of faculty and staff each month for the Lectio Divina prayer. “He was a sincere friend and follower of Christ,” said Alice Kauble.

A few years after he began teaching at BK, Dan moved into the business department and taught computer science. Pat Hinson, Dean of Academics, said, “He engaged with each student to help them find success.” She recalled a student from the Blessed Stanley Rother Program who had a difficult time keeping up in Dan’s computer literacy class. Because the student was interested in the school’s upcoming musical, Dan created a slide presentation assignment for the student, which was eventually shown school-wide. “His thoughtfulness gave [the student] experience creating as well as meaningful purpose. That’s the kind of person Dan was,” said

Hinson. His computer classes put several slide shows together for every all-school Mass and for the annual slide show at the school’s end-of-the-year awards assembly. Maureen Lawler, BK college counselor, said, “Dan would extend his deadline so no student was left out. He never complained when we kept adding information. He always wanted the students to be recognized.”

One cannot think of Dan and not remember him driving around the campus in the now-famous golf cart. He offered rides to those on crutches, on scooters, and even to those who just “couldn’t turn down Dan’s smile.” Regina Foster was caught in the rain on her first day of substitute teaching. Dan saw her in the parking lot and offered her a ride to her class so that she would be on time. Trevor Parks remembers meeting Dan on the first day of his freshman year. Dan saw Trevor walking to the STC, pulled up, and told him, “hop in.” They began talking like they had known each other all of their lives. “His warmth,” said Parks, “was Dan’s greatest gift to everyone.”

Lowery Nuse ’98) said Dan would share statistics of the other teams with the girls, and he always encouraged them to do their best. Lance Parks, BK Athletic Director, said, “Some of [my] favorite work moments have been sitting on the rock walls with Dan at the OKC Tennis Center watching the state championship tournament all day. He was as kindhearted as people come.”

Beginning in 1989, Dan was the head coach of the girls’ tennis team for 13 years and won two state titles during his reign. Sallie Lowery (mother of Sarah

If anyone wanted to know the number of goals made by a basketball player in any given season or what the batting average was for a BK baseball player from 1992, all he had to do was ask Dan. He kept the statistics for all sports at BK, a service that all coaches and athletic directors greatly appreciated.

“Very few organizations have a person willing to compile, maintain and safeguard the records that help keep generations of students connected with each other,” said JJ Tappana, BK Head Football Coach. Jeri Berna, Assistant AD, said that Dan kept such good records that it made it easy for the Athletic Hall of Champions Committee to choose its nominees each year. “While Dan did feel a responsibility to do these things, he actually did it because he LOVED it! He loved the challenge of it, he loved the Comets and heralding their achievements,” said Berna, “and the bottom line was, he is good at it!”

As a Catholic Lasallian educator, Dan Schmitz touched the lives of many students and colleagues. According to Matthew 25:23: “His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”

Dan, BK will miss you.