Brad Kolo was one of a kind here at Collinsville High School. Contibuting a great deal to the overall betterment of the school, he will be sorely missed. Let this tribute stand for all time.
[May the eternal light of memory never fade from our minds]
The newspaper article containing the notice of his death is reproduced below:
One of the most unfortunate turn of events in a parent's life is to outlife a child.
On Monday [December 27, 1999] morning, Bradley Kolo's parents faced that experience when Bradley Kolo was found dead at his home.
Kolo, 18, was a gifted web page designer who left many amazed by his knowledge of computers. He was a 1999 graduate of Collinsville High School.
When Collinsville High School started becoming a leader in technology with new state-of-the-art computers, Kolo took it upon himself to learn and understnad everything about the new computer system.
CHS Principal Ron Ganschinietz said Kolo was one of the most knowedgeable people about computers he had ever met.
"He was an extremely bright young man," Ganschinietz said. "Brad was the person responsible for creating web pages for the high school, Unit 10 school district and even the Unit 10 credit union."
Friends and family speculate Kolo's death may have been caused by a brain aneurysm.
But according to the county coroner's office, the cause of death is still unknown. Officials are still waiting of the results of further tests.
Ganschinietz said Kolo was a very down-to-earth young man who was also very humble.
"If you wouldn't have known Brad, you probably could have never known how intelligent and knowledgeable he really was," Ganschinietz said.
Kolo had been hired by the district to work with the computer networking system during the summer and on breaks from his school. He had just finished his first semester at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana.
Near the end of his senior year, he won national honors for the CHS Latin Club. The award included a first place from the National Junior Classical League.
His interest in computers and web page began in junior high and simply expanded in high school.
Funeral services were Friday [December 31, 1999] at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville. Memorials can be made to the Brad Kolo Computer Scholarship Fund.
