Student killed by train had 'kindest
heart'
By Eric Peterson | Daily Herald Staff
Family
and friends of 20-year-old David Hirsch of Hoffman Estates are mourning the
loss of a kind, outgoing young man.
The
Illinois State University special education major and 2005 Hoffman Estates High
School graduate was struck by a train and killed Wednesday in downstate Normal.
The
Normal police and McLean County coroner are investigating but, as of late
Thursday, had little to go on as to what happened.
Assistant
Police Chief Rick Bleichner said there was no indication Hirsch was talking on
a cell phone or had earphones on when he was struck around 2:30 p.m. An inquest
is pending.
"At
this point, there's nothing overly apparent about why he stepped in front of
the train," Bleichner said. "We may never know why it happened, but
we're going to look into it as best we can."
Catherine
Daglas, Hirsch's counselor at Hoffman Estates High School, said he was a good
student who was active in drama and variety shows. She vividly recalls him in
an Army uniform for the musical, "South Pacific."
"He
was a very humorous, fun-loving individual," she said. "He thought he
could be on stage or in theater, but he wanted to work with young people."
Hirsch,
the son of Steven and Dianne Hirsch, was also brother to Julie, a Hoffman High
senior, and 9-year-old Daniel.
Vicki
Lachmann taught Sunday school to Hirsch at Beth Tikvah in Hoffman Estates and
works with Dianne Hirsch, who also teaches religion at the synagogue.
"In
the 10 years I've taught hundreds of students, this was the gentlest soul of
any of them," Lachmann said, fighting to control tears. "He had the
kindest, most gentle heart. There has never been a kinder boy. No one else that
I've taught has ever touched me in this particular way."
Renee Lieberman,
a student at Michigan State said she and Hirsch were best friends. They talked
just this past Tuesday night, when he told her he was thinking of changing
majors from special ed to telecommunications.
"He
was a little unsure what to do," Lieberman said, "and we decided he
would finish the year in his current major, then apply to do the new major. He
liked the idea of not switching too fast."
"We
ended the call with 'Miss you, love you.'"
Another
close friend, Marina Tecktiel knew David through Beth Tikvah and Olin Sang Ruby
Union Institute Camp, in Oconomowoc, Wis., where kids from Midwestern Reform
temples would gather to spend the lazy days of summer.
At OSRUI,
where Hirsch, Tecktiel and Lieberman were counselors, Hirsch worked with
fourth- through seventh-graders.
"He
loved having fun," Tecktiel said, adding she is upset at what some people
are posting to Facebook.
"Some
people who didn't know him are saying that he walked around gates or that he
was wearing headphones, and they don't even know that," she said.
"None
of this makes any sense," Tecktiel added.
Lachmann
remembered Hirsch had been a member of a close-knit foursome of two boys and
two girls. When one of the girls died from an illness, the remaining three
worked to gather money for a Tree of Life and a plaque.
Now
another member of that foursome has been lost, leaving countless loved ones to
mourn and seek answers.
Police
called to the scene in Normal Wednesday found Hirsch lying on the south side of
the tracks.
Witnesses
told police Hirsch had been walking north on University Street when he was
struck. They also said the crossing arms were down and the lights were
functioning properly at the time.
Paramedics
took Hirsch to BroMenn Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at
2:58 p.m.
ISU
President Al Bowman said the Division of Student Affairs Critical Incident
Response Team immediately offered counseling and support to Hirsch's roommates.
"Our
hearts go out to David's family and friends, and I know they will be uppermost
in our thoughts," Bowman said in a prepared statement.
Many of
Hirsch's friends are driving or flying in from their schools for the Sunday
funeral, which will be preceded by meetings with Rabbi Max Weiss and with
others to help the kids cope with their grief. The gathering of friends will be
at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Congregation Beth Tikvah, 300 Hillcrest Blvd.
Funeral
services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 195 N.
Buffalo Grove Road in Buffalo Grove. For information call (847) 509-5011.
