$45K Raised For Children Of Spring-Ford Teacher Zach Stewart

ROYERSFORD, PA — The community has come together in a big way following the sudden and tragic death of Spring-Ford teacher Zach Stewart, who was just 35-years-old.

A GoFundMe campaign launched for the benefit of Stewart's two young children has already raised more than $45,000 as of Tuesday morning. Stewart also left a wife behind.

Stewart, a beloved Spanish teacher at Spring-Ford, was training at his gym, Precision Jiu-Jitsu of Spring Mount, when he passed away. Friends said his death was due to an "unknown previous medical issue."

In his 13 years as a teacher at Spring-Ford, Stewart made a big impression. He was also well liked in the local wrestling and jiu-jitsu community of which he was a big part.

"His humor and passion were evident to all who had the please of learning from him in school or on the mat," Pete Shoemaker, who launched the Go Fund Me, wrote on the page.

"He was an amazing teacher, colleague, and coach who made a true and lasting connection with every student who walked through his door," the Spring-Ford Education Association said in a statement. "He filled the halls of the 9th grade center with laughter and happiness. He was a wonderful husband and a loving father. We were all truly blessed to have had the opportunity to know and work with him. He will be missed by his fellow SFEA members and throughout the Spring-Ford Community. Please keep Zach's family in your thoughts and prayers."

The funds raised through the campaign will go to a college fund for his children, as well as help in creating a scholarship for a Spanish student at Spring-Ford.

Further details on the scholarship fund and a celebration of life will be provided in the coming days.

To learn more about the campaign and donate, see here.

Image via GoFundMe