Br. Robert Ruhl, CSV, coined that phrase in his English classes at Saint Viator High School, warning students before treading into heavy material, like “King Lear” and other works by Shakespeare.
He spent his entire teaching career at Saint Viator, or 36 years, before passing away in 2008, at the untimely age of 60.
“When I was still president, and would visit alumni at college campuses, he was the first teacher that students would talk about,” says Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV. “They could still recite things from his class and they always believed he had prepared them well.”
Br. Ruhl covered Shakespeare works in his classes, but outside the classroom he loved to take in plays by Shakespeare and was a veritable expert on the Bard in trivia contests.
His love of Shakespeare — and imparting that love to his students — coincides with the yearlong celebration, Shakespeare400, which commemorates the Bard, 400 years after his death.
Among efforts to celebrate Shakespeare’s legacy are public performances, exhibitions and other creative events, including one to share your favorite Shakespeare moment.
That’s what we’re doing here. Br. Ruhl was our favorite Shakespeare memory, and we remember him especially this year, when he would have celebrated 50 years of religious life.