“I’m having more fun than a person should be allowed to have.” A legend and inspiration in the science department at Gonzaga Prep from the '60s to the early 2000s, former science teacher Kurt Kromholtz passed away in early March at the age of 84. 

Kromholtz came to Gonzaga Prep in the early 1970s and taught chemistry, electronics, computers, and ham radio until 1995 when he was sidelined by a stroke that left him essentially paralyzed on his left side. 

He was beloved by his students for setting the bar high, yet making classes fun, and many remember to this day, important mnemonics like “Don’t put zinc in the sink.”

His accomplishments as an educator were recognized by Gonzaga Prep in 2016, when he was inducted into the Prep Hall of Fame. His plaque reads:
“Mr. Kromholtz is honored and loved by Gonzaga Prep alumni, parents, faculty, and administrators as one of the greatest science teachers in the history of the school. He was Teacher of the Year in the hearts of generations of Prep students, and was officially recognized with that award in 1978. His loyalty and dedication for thirty-six years inspired thousands of Prep graduates to become committed lifelong learners coming to know and enjoy chemistry, ham radio, and electronics. He was honored with the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Medal in 1992.”



In his obituary, his family shared they often run into his former students—many of them doctors, scientists, and engineers—who gushingly sing his praises as “the best teacher I ever had” or “the reason I became a doctor” or “he inspired me to achieve,” which is one of the greatest testaments to his impact on others.

In recognition of both Kromholtz’s legacy, and the impact of Gonzaga Prep on his children and grandchildren, the family established a scholarship in his name. Those who wish to honor his memory by making a donation to the Kromholtz Family Scholarship can visit the Foundations & Scholarships page on our website.