ROCHELLE – It has been just over two years since the unexpected and heartbreaking passing of Steve Tobler.
To remember the legacy he left at Kings School and the Rochelle community and to honor his love for kids and their education, the second annual Steve Tobler scholarship golf outing and dinner will take place Thursday, Aug. 1 at Fairways Golf Course and Salt 251 restaurant.
The outing will be a shotgun start and will include 18 holes of golf in a scramble format, a dinner and a silent auction with items ranging from homemade crafts to a six-night stay in Hollywood, California.
All of the profits earned from the event are invested in the Rochelle Township High School Foundation and eventually used as scholarships for students who graduated from Kings and went on to graduate from RTHS.
“Last year we gave out two $500 scholarships because the girls were just so even, but our goal is to at least have a $1,000 scholarship each year,” explained Belinda Luxton, former teacher at Kings.
Tobler spent his entire life in the Rochelle area, working on his family farm during the day and at UPS at night to help make ends meet.
Kings educational program was very important to him, his entire family went to Kings and then went on to graduate from RTHS. Tobler served on the Kings School Board and eventually served as the board president for 12 years until one night in May of 2017 when he went to sleep and never woke up at the age of 64.

“He was always at the school helping out and he was very devoted to education. He wanted quality education to be made at Kings School,” said Luxton.
Tobler and Luxton were classmates in high school and sat at each other’s study hall table. She thought it was fascinated that he worked on his family farm and they began talking and got to know each other. When they were older their families had a great friendship because they both have four sons of the same age.
After Tobler passed away Luxton thought of many different ways to honor him, until deciding on a scholarship in his name.
“After this happened I just kept thinking about what could we do. We could put up a plaque but that wouldn’t have been something Steve would have thought much of,” added Luxton. “So, I thought he loved education and wanted to see kids be the best that they can be in their life, and I just thought of a scholarship.”
Along with participating in the golfing event, individuals or businesses have the option of sponsoring a hole on the course or simply donating to the cause. The cost to sponsor a hole is $100 that includes a plaque with the name of the business, company or family displayed near a green. Donations of any kind are also appreciated and helpful in keeping the dreams of Steve Tobler alive.
“We are just coming alongside Steve and his love of education and young people. We don’t want anyone to be left behind, we want to see those kids succeed in their goals in life,” said Luxton.

For more information or to make a donation contact Luxton at 815-739-8122.