Writer-teacher slain in Oakland park where he loved to hike

David Ruenzel David Ruenzel Photo: Courtesy Of Nancy Ruenzel Photo: Courtesy Of Nancy Ruenzel Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Writer-teacher slain in Oakland park where he loved to hike 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

A 60-year-old man found shot to death in the Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve was a longtime writer, editor and English teacher who loved to hike in the Oakland hills park, his wife said Wednesday.

David Robert Ruenzel of Oakland was found on a park trail by a woman who had reported hearing gunshots about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, according to the East Bay Regional Park Police Department. Investigators said they were looking into whether Ruenzel had been killed during a robbery.

Ruenzel’s family said he often visited and hiked in the small preserve on Skyline Boulevard, just south of Elverton Drive.

“We’re just in an absolute state of shock,” said his wife, Nancy.

David Ruenzel taught English and journalism for more than a decade at the Athenian School in Danville. He was also an award-winning writer and editor at Teacher Magazine.

“He was an affable man,” said David Smock, a former colleague at Athenian. “He cared a lot about educational issues and his students.”

Most recently, Ruenzel worked at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which issued a statement Wednesday calling him “a beloved educator, talented writer and valued partner in our work. He will be missed greatly.”

Ruenzel was shot at least twice, apparently where he was found, said park police. Officers found shell casings at the scene.

No arrests have been made, but police said witnesses had seen two men on the trail just before three gunshots rang out. Police said the two were “persons of interest.”

One was described as a black or of mixed race, in his late 20s or early 30s, thin, with dreadlocks, high cheekbones and a narrow face, wearing dark clothes.

The second was an “out of shape” black man, 6 feet tall and 240 pounds, clean-shaven and with short hair, wearing dark clothes and a black backpack, police said. Investigators said he was described as “overly friendly.”

San Francisco Chronicle

staff writer Henry K. Lee contributed to this report.

Kurtis Alexander is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kalexander@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kurtisalexander