News from 2015-2016

Dear Colleagues,

Our hearts break today as we mourn the passing of our colleague and friend Ruben Hendrickson.

Ruben, the district’s Chief Operations Officer, passed away Monday while hiking with family in the Sandia Mountains – doing what he loved in the company of those he loved.  

A kind and brilliant man, Ruben was the linchpin of the Albuquerque Public Schools administration, helping us navigate through some very difficult times, first as a part of our budget team starting in 2009, and then as COO these past two years. He was respected for his calm management style, innovative thinking and devotion to APS students, employees and schools.

Ruben wasn’t just respected; he was loved. He was easy to talk to, pleasant to work with and always willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. We shared many stories and laughs over the years. We exchanged diet tips, talked about our families, chatted about TV shows and politics. It wasn’t unusual to run into him at the grocery store, restaurant or gym.

He was a distinguished member of the APS family, and he will be sorely missed.

We grieve for his family, who lost a wonderful husband, father and son; we grieve for the many APS employees whose lives were touched by his hard work and sincerity; we grieve for the students of APS who ultimately benefited from his loyalty and dedication.

While we continue to conduct the district’s business, we do so with heavy hearts. Eventually, we will have to find someone to take over the COO job, but no one will ever replace Ruben in our hearts.

He touched so many lives, and many across the district are grieving. Our counselors recommend that if you or someone you know are among them, you may want to seek support through the New Mexico Crisis and Access Line at 1-855-NMCRISIS (662-7474) or www.nmcrisisline.com.