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JOHN ANDERSON Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for JOHN ANDERSON
steve arkin
June 18, 2025
an incredible teacher and coach -- remember him trying to convince me to run cross country -- steve arkin 'MN/ME 82
July 3, 2012
I was so very sorry to hear, that John had died, what a tragedy. Take good care and I will be thinking of you.
Marty Landorf (chorus and Maine West)
Bob Lindquist
July 2, 2012
I was shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of my high school Cross Country and Track Coach, Mr Anderson. I was reading an article about people that have impacted lives and I decided to do a search for Mr. Anderson and discovered this obituary from just last week. What unusual timing. Mr. Anderson was the most influential adult in my childhood other than my parents. During the fours years of Cross Country and Track he taught me about hard work, commitment and goal setting. Most of what I have accomplished in my life can be attributed to those values that he instilled in me. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Anderson Family. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with us all those summer evenings as we worked on our conditioning for the upcoming season. It was Mr. Anderson's commitment to be there and the camaraderie of the team that kept us coming back. I was touched to see, as I read all the comments, that what I held as special and personal was really common ground for all those who were touched by Mr. Anderson as a teacher and a coach. What a special man, I will miss him.
Bob Lindquist (Lucky Lindy)
Gig Harbor, WA
Maine North Class of 1975
Cross Country & Track
John Sypniewski
July 2, 2012
Dear Family of (Mr.)John Anderson,
My deepest condolences to you. I just found out about my coach and math teacher's passing. He had a great impact on my life and was a terrific mentor. In running cross country and track for 4 years until 1985 he gave me great tangible goals to set for myself. He instilled in me sportsmanship to help win as a team was even more important than winning for self. The allgorithims he outlined in math class were irrefutable! I think he invented math! He taught what you put into your work is what you get out of it and all have a chance to make an impact. He had a vision for all the kids and young men's and women's futures and inspired them to put their whole heart and soul into what they did, because that's what he did.
God bless him, and his family, he left a legacy of inspiration and continues to inspire forever. Way to go coach!
Thank you.
Steve Brenner
June 27, 2012
Mr. Anderson was a great role model for what all coaches should strive for in leading their student-athletes. He was always kind, butjust tough enough to know how to get the most out of me and my teammates. He was someone that motivated in a simple way that needed no in your face scare tactics that you see so often today in youth and high school sports. Mr. Anderson showed you how you should not only perform on the athletic field, but how you should live your life.
I remember my high school cross country and track days fondly, and I would like to think that Mr. Anderson is a big reason why I have coached track the last few years. I hope that in my coaching I can carry on some of the lessons he taught me 30 years ago. My deepest condolonces to all of Mr. Anderson's family. He was a truly special person.
Steve Brenner
Sterling,IL
Maine East Class of 1984
Kinjal Patel
June 26, 2012
I'd like to extend my thoughts and condolences to the Anderson Family. Coach Anderson was both my teacher, cross country and track coach from '93-'97. He instilled in me the concept of hard work and going beyond your own expectations. Above all, Coach Anderson taught me how to be a leader. He was a key figure in shaping the man I am today. God bless you Mr. Anderson and thank you for the time you spent with me making me a better person.
Kinjal Patel
Maine East Class of 1997
Kenneth Peters
June 26, 2012
My condolences and deepest sympathy are extended to the family of John Anderson. I was a close friend and school mate of his brother Richard (Dick). This friendship extended to John's parents, Al & Eleanor, as well as Larry and John. John was a wonderful person and a great role model for us young guys. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of the Anderson family as I pass their old home in Rolling Meadows. My prayers and thoughts are with the entire family.
Kenneth A. Peters
Rolling Meadows, IL
[email protected]
Laurel & Marvin Letwat
June 26, 2012
To the Anderson family, today
our son Jay who lives in Israel with his family, e-mailed us the sad news. We remember John as conscientious & caring coach. Jay said he really made an impact upon his life. At one of the famous pasta dinners at our home, we saw how attentive he was w the boys & really listened when they spoke. The comradery was so evident. Our other son Larry, also ran with John as his coach. Please accept our sincerest condolences. May his memory always be for a blessing.
Dennis Malinis
June 25, 2012
Coach Anderson,
I was once asked at a job interview, "Who was the most influential person in your life?" I replied that it was you. I didn't even have to think twice about it. As a high school student going through very formative years from the ages of 14 - 18, I didn't realize it back then but very much appreciate it now as an adult how having you as a positive influence and role model not only as a coach and teacher, but as a second father help shaped who I am today.
You've led a truly great life. You've left behind a legacy of adults who are who they are and are where they are in their lives because of your positive influence, leadership, and guidance. I still run to this day, a life-long habit instilled by you.
You'll be greatly missed.
Dennis Malinis
Maine East HS Class of 1988, your Cross-Country and Track athlete and Calculus student of 2 years.
Loretta Dospil-Farley ('80)
June 25, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Anderson's family and anyone whose life he has touched. As a teacher, myself, it is hard to find the right words that express the impact Coach Anderson has had on me. Coach Anderson entered my life the summer before my senior year ('79), when I attended summer school to get a course done prior to that year, and who was there to teach it, Coach Anderson. Later each day, I would run with him and 7 other girls, who became the first Women's cross country team for Maine North HS. While the boys ran for their 500 or 1000 mile t-shirt, we earned our 207 mile t-shirt (which I still have). Between Coach Anderson and Coach Garvey, we conquered that 2 mile race, we ran through the forest preserves, we went on an overnighter, slept on a gym floor and ran the next morning. The memories coming flooding back. These same memories I have shared with my athletes during my coaching years as well as my students when teaching. Coach Anderson may no longer be with us day to day, but his legacy lives on in each of us through our memories. Thank you, Coach Anderson, for sharing your love of teaching and running with so many of us; it will never be forgotten!
Jason Cole
June 25, 2012
My Condolences as well to the Anderson family as John will be greatly missed. Mr. Anderson was like a second father to me who gave me life and helped me to believe in myself when many others wouldn't. He preached discipline, hard work and commitment traits I would not have now if it weren't for him. Some of my best memories in life were running at Maine East. The polar bear club, races in Glen Ellyn in the summer and trips to Peoria. He was and is a great man who touched and influence many for a lifetime. Rest in peace.
Jason Cole,
Maine East Class of 1988
June 25, 2012
Coach Anderson,
Your life's lessons taught in the classroom as an extraordinary math teacher and on the track as a dedicated coach and motivator have been foundational to me ever since I became privileged to know you as a high school freshman in 1974. You instilled in me perservance, sportsmanship, and the will to be the best I could be as a person and in all that I have encountered in life. All of us who have been graced by your life are lucky and most fortunate. Wishing you nothing but peace and love in the next race God has chosen for you to run.
Jim DeBruzzi
Park Ridge, IL
Maine North
Class of 1978
Tom d'Ambrosio
June 25, 2012
Although I just met Coach Anderson last October, I could not have asked for a better coach for my son's freshman cross country season. I really enjoyed the many conversations we had during the cross country and track seasons. What a wonderful man. He will be missed.
Reggie Jonaitis
June 25, 2012
Coach Anderson,
You are the reason why I am where I am today. Not only did you inspire me to start running (which has propelled me to new levels of life), but you have also inspired me to be a better person, a human being with the right values that go way beyond any cross country course or track. 90% of my high school memories and lessons learned are related to what I took away from being on your teams, which I still apply in life today. You taught us to work hard, stay even-keel, never celebrate any accomplishments too much and not to get down when you knew that we still had ample of opportunity ahead of us. You took took the time out of your personal life to invite us to your house for pre-race pasta meals and watch movies, such as "Dead Poets Society" the day before an important race. You met us early in the mornings during the summer months to be that motivation, to show us long term vision and commitment that it takes to be successful. You even came to my collegiate races, sent me emails with your support and I am so thankful for your positive influence in my life. Many of us didn't understand it then, but as we grew older, all of what you have done and how you helped us shape our lives has left lifelong positive imprints for all of us. We were very lucky to have you as our coach, mentor and lifelong supporter. May your next journey be peaceful and fulfilling.
Reggie Jonaitis
Maine East HS
Class of 2000
Rick Bloomberg
June 25, 2012
My condolences to the Anderson family. Not only was Mr. Anderson a great coach, but a great person. I would not have had the success I did with cross country and track at Maine East without his motivation and his constant push to make us the best runners we could be. He will be missed.
Rick Bloomberg
1989
Brian Talbot
June 25, 2012
I could not have asked for a better freshman cross country coach than I got in Coach Anderson this past year. He was encouraging and supportive but also pushed you to do your personal best. I am so sad for the Anderson family. I know what a wonderful man he was. Thanks for sharing him with the Maine South Cross Country team. He will be greatly missed.
Pat Savage, XC & Track Coach
June 25, 2012
John and his family will be remembered in our prayers and Masses. He certainly will be missed by many at next season's HS meets. He was a wonderful family man, an excellent teacher, and a motivating and successful coach. When I look at all the dedicated HS coaches around our area, I will always be thinking of John and the coaches who have gone before him. He was certainly one of the "good guys". I will miss him.
June 24, 2012
Condolences to the Anderson family. Fond memories of Mr Anderson in math class -- a man who really cared --- Thank you Mr Anderson
Steve Arkin
Maine North '82
Tom Glenn - Maine East 1971
June 24, 2012
What a great teacher, coach, and mentor! I learned so much from him and he is a part of the reason I teach math today. He is also the reason I love basketball so much, as he gave the my first opportunity to experience the game. He will be fondly remembered.
Kurt Hasenstein
June 24, 2012
Condolences to the Anderson's. John was a great teacher, coach and friend. We will miss him dearly and cherish the time he spent with us volunteering at Glenbrook South.
Sincerely,
Kurt Hasenstein
Glenbrook South Track/CC Coach
Susan Legatowicz
June 24, 2012
My condolences go out to Mr. Anderson's family and circle of friends. I reflect back on my years at Maine North with tremendous gratitude to Mr. Anderson and to all the teachers and staff who so genuinely dedicated themselves to the education and development of our generation. We who studied under Mr. Anderson were blessed to have experienced math class with him at the helm, a dedicated and disciplined teacher and coach, on the basketball floor as in the classroom. Mr. Anderson's style was no-nonsense; he was gifted in the art of communication, coaching, and teaching. My condolences to the Anderson family for the loss of an exceptional and devoted man. He will not be forgotten.
June 24, 2012
Mr. Anderson shaped my freshman year of high school. His sheer enthusiasm and commitment to seeing his freshman distance runners improve was inspiring. As such, I cannot look back on my freshman year at New Trier High School without emotion. For me, it was a year defined by running and the most exciting year of my life. In many ways, everything I have done since has been an attempt to recapitulate the excitement and pure joy I felt that first track season at New Trier—before injuries and disappointments, a time when everything was possible. I remember not being able to sit still in the last class of the day because of a run, an interval workout, or a race. I remember not being able to eat lunch because I had so much nervous energy; chills shot up my back and through my arms. I remember Mr. Anderson's “step ladder” workout, my favorite. I remember my teammates and I remember my coach. Mr. Anderson, it was an honor and a privilege to run under your guidance and coaching my first year of high school and in the years following. I will always hear you yelling at me with 300 meters to go in the 800. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Charles Hershow
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