Monroe Saffold Jr.

We were in the First Baptist Church of Oak Park congregation with Monroe and Pat for many years. In 2009, our daughter Karen attended his training class, and was baptized.

Uncle June, You Will Truly Be Missed
I will never forget the story of you bringing me home from the hospital during the Blizzard of 1968 as a newborn. Thank You

This is from Dan Sicora, the husband of Monroe's Lane Tech teaching partner Rose Sicora, for many years:

Thank you for passing that on. Rose often said that he was a very generous person. He preferred teaching biology to p.e., but, one semester, volunteered to teach gym so that a young teacher could keep his/her job. Another time, he gave up his office so that another, much younger teacher could have a place to work. Highly unusual in public schools. I looked up his obit on the link you provided - wadda guy! I am not surprised that he was a minister, but I didn´t know about the music. Sometimes, the people you meet are more than they seem.

I knew Monroe for over 25 years. We both taught science at the same Chicago Public School, Lane Tech. We lived a mile from each other and often drove to school together. We attended the same church, First Baptist of Oak Park, where Monroe was assistant pastor.

I knew Monroe extremely well and saw him almost every day. He was a role model to his students and was always ready to talk science, grades, and one of his favorite topics, weight training. When he worked out in the Lane Tech weight room everyone stopped and watched. They were seeing a world class competitor, which culminated in Monroe being named the 1990 Mr. America. No one at Lane could come close to his technique or the amount of weight he lifted.

Monroe inspired many Lane students and encouraged them to take up body building, giving them a focus for the lives. More importantly he inspired students to be more like him - humble, diligent, fair, hard working, disciplined, caring, and a man of God. He cared about his students and they cared about him. They knew he was a Christian and that caused many of them to explore more about God. His work was by example. This example caused many to become better people, more caring, and most importantly to be open to God's spirit.

Monroe and I used to joke about what to call him. I would call him Reverand Saffold when at church. When at school I would call him Professor Saffold. I would call him Mr. America when he was working out. He would always say "just call me Monroe." That's indeed who he was - Monroe, a man of God, teacher of others, and inspiration to be healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

For more than 20 years Monroe was an adjunct faculty member for Biological Sciences and Physical Education at Triton College. At an employee event last summer I had the opportunity to talk with Monroe about his love of teaching and serving his community. He was a good listener and was proud of his students and campus community. On behalf of Triton College, our heartfelt condolences to his wife, family and friends. Monroe will be missed by many and we are eternally grateful for him touching our lives.

Dear Pat and Family,

We offer our deep sympathy in this time of your loss.

We fondly recall our time together. We remember dining with you and Monroe at a sushi restaurant in Oak Park and following your wonderful family through the years.

Our heartfelt condolences and love to you and your family.

Dean and Mary Schraufnagel

Pat and family, sorry for your loss, Monroe was a good man, he will be missed

He was a very kind respected teacher and always would give a nod to say hello. It was a pleasure to be the school nurse at Lane Tech at that time.

The love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

I met Mr.Saffold as a freshman at Lane tech in 1996. I always say he was like a second father to me. He is one of the greatest man I've ever met. He made me a better student, coached me to become a successful bodybuilding champion in 1999, but most of all taught me so may life lessons and ultimately about my lord and savior Jesus Christ. I am so deeply sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. SAFFOLD and my prayers go out to his family. I just know heaven gained an Angel. You will always be loved and never forgotten ...thank you for all you did for me and so many others. RIP and God bless .