Teacher Dies After Collapsing During Run With Students

SCHERERVILLE, IN —A fundraiser has been established for the family of a northwest Indiana middle school teacher and coach who died days after collapsing during a run with his students. Dan Runyan, 45, a husband and father of two, was reportedly training to run in next year's Chicago Marathon, according to WLS. The Portage resident was a science teacher and track coach at Grimmer Middle School in Schererville.

A memorial fund has been established for Runyan's wife, Heather, and his son and daughter, Avery and Cole.

"These funds will be set aside to provide financial assistance to Dan's beloved family," according to a GoFundMe campaign for the family. "All contributions will be deposited into a bank account to be accessible by Heather in aiding Avery and Cole for their future needs."

The GoFundMe campaign describes Runyan as a loving husband, father, teacher and friend. As of Tuesday evening, donors had contributed more than $6,500 toward the campaign's $10,000 goal.

Runyan suffered cardiac arrest while out with the middle school running club on Wednesday and died two days later, according to the Times of Northwest Indiana.

The community was mourning the unexpected loss of Runyan, who taught science and was an assistant coach of the middle school football and track and field teams.

Heather Runyan, his wife of 18 years, told the Times her husband "died doing what he loved," saying her husband enjoyed running with the school club as well as on his own.

Dan Runyan and his family/image via GoFundMe