Eugene C. Drendel

Greatest Principal and person to all the students. Will never forget him Laurie Clam Sullivan

Mr. Drendel was part of a legacy of educators that is so rare in today's society. He reached out to all students, and I was privileged enough to have known him. It is a shame that my children, who are now going through Naperville schools too, will probably never have a teacher/administrator who they can remember for a lifetime, like I will remember Mr. Drendel.

I just received the news of Gene's passing and I am SO sad. I have spent 18 wrestling tournaments with Gene and will miss his warm smile and kind words at the upcoming tournament......he was a gem.

To the Drendel Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Drendel. He was such a big part of my life from the time I was very young, and he was a principal at Beebe. I remember sitting on his lap and him telling me that he was leaving Beebe to become a principal at Jefferson Jr. High. I made him promise me that he wouldn't leave Jefferson until after I did. He kept his word to me! Our final days at Jefferson, my friends and I toilet papered his house - and left a sign saying, "Thanks for...

Dear Drendel Family...My brother John Clam and I first met Mr. Drendel while attending JJHS. I will never forget how he always greeted the students in the hallway....after graduating from NNHS in 1977, then college & marriage, I would see him at Naperville functions where he would always greet me warmly and with utmost interest in my life as a wife, mother and teacher.....he made such a positive impact on all students and he will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to the Drendel family...

To the Drendel Family,
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Drendel passing. I will not only remember him as kind, wonderful principal, but a great sport playing my mom's craypaper games. I'll never forget all the hockey. And especially, I'll never forget his kindness.

Naperville will never be the same without Gene Drendel. I am fortunate to have known him and proud to have worked with him. Sharon and their five excellent children were his immediate family, but Naperville was his extended family. What a fine, fine man.

Gene was a legend in Illinois Wrestling. He worked for his entire working life as an announcer for our great sport. His dedication to making each wrestler feel important was key to his introductions. Gene will be sorely missed at the state tournament as his voice has echoed the names of the greatest wrestlers from the state of Illinois. Gene was also a great friend and mentor as an educator. "Children First" was his motto and he lived it every day of his life. Goodbye to a dear friend. May...

We were very saddened by the news of our neighbor Gene's passing.
May the Lord give you and your entire family comfort soon. If we can do anything, to help around the house please feel free to call.
May God be with you all during this hard time.
Jeff, Karin, Casey, and Chelsea Howard