Lou Schreiber, the heart and hard work behind an increasingly popular sustainable technologies program at Santa Fe Community College, died suddenly of a heart attack while cross-country skiing Sunday.

On Monday, his colleagues, students and friends were in shock after hearing the news. "It's a terrible loss," said Santa Fe Community College president Sheila Ortego.

Schreiber was director of Workforce Development in the college's Continuing Education Division. Working with professionals in the solar and building trades, he started a sustainable technologies program where students can now earn certificates in green building, solar installation and more. He began work as a part-time faculty member with the college in 1996, worked with student services and was director of community outreach and academic training before starting his current position. "Enrollment tripled in the sustainable technology program in the last couple of years because of his work," Ortego said.

Schreiber was known for a lively wit and deep caring for his family, colleagues and friends. "I have been under Lou's counsel since I started studying environmental technologies a year ago," said student Daniel Bugas. "Lou was a friendly, helpful and funny man. He would randomly drop into classes to give students valuable information regarding local sustainability events and issues, always with plenty of humor and enthusiasm."

Schreiber was spearheading a project to build a 45,000-square-foot Advanced Technology and Sustainable Technology Center to focus on training students in renewable energy fields and energy-efficient construction. The building is scheduled to open in the fall. He also worked to bring a biomass heating system to one of the college's buildings.

He was scheduled to teach a class this fall about the net zero energy use Emerald Home, with builder Faren Dancer. "He was a dear, dear friend," Dancer said. "This guy held a lot of the heart energy that keeps the sustainable community going."

When Dancer suffered a devastating construction accident a year ago, Schreiber visited him in the hospital almost every day. "He had that kind of heart. He really cared about people," Dancer said.

"He was truly, deeply committed to making a difference for a more sustainable, healthier, more prosperous, less polluted Santa Fe," said Margo Covington, former chairwoman of the Sustainable Santa Fe Commission.

Schreiber, 66, was cross-country skiing on the Norski trail near Santa Fe on Sunday with his wife, Drea Read, and some friends. Family members say he was an avid cross-country skier. Skiing ahead of him, they arrived back at the vehicle and didn't see what happened.

Witnesses told them later Schreiber reached the trail head, took off his skis, planted them in the snow and raised his arms in the air in victory. "I did it," witnesses heard him say. Then he fell over, apparently struck by a heart attack. "They said he died with a smile from ear to ear. That was like Lou," said his stepson Michael McDowell.

McDowell said his stepfather was community oriented and had a generous spirit. "For me, it began and ended with, 'He took such good care of my mom,' " McDowell said.

Besides his wife and McDowell, Schreiber is survived by a sister, Alice Antos; son, Wyan Schreiber; stepchild, Alex McDowell; and grandson, Rowan Finn McDowell.

A public memorial to honor Schreiber will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, in the Jemez Room at Santa Fe Community College.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Schreiber's favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders.

Contact Staci Matlock at 986-3055 or smatlock@sfnewmexican.com.