Paul L. Groot

Paul Groot was my dormitory RA at Purdue for my sophomore year. I remember him for being friendly, respectful, reasonable and a leader. I'm not surprised he had a good life and a successful career as a high school baseball coach. I'm sorry to read of his passing.

I was returning from overseas and ran into someone at OHare and mentioned the Groot family.

I googled to find a current address of Craig Groot when I discovered Paul´s passing last December.

My wife Kim and I moved from downtown in the late 80´s to Arlington Heights nudged between Buffalo Grove HS and Payton´s hill.

The day we moved in on a Sunday I took a drive investigating the neighborhood when I found a men´s touch football game playing at the middle school.

I stopped, walked up to Paul introducing myself.

From that point we became part of the Groot family social circle for many years on the field and off.

Paul´s social and professional courtesies were FIRST Class as well as his entire family!!

We wish we had one more moment with Paul last year to catch up

You touched many lives Paul and
God´s Speed!

Paul and I were teammates at Purdue and immediately became friends. His infectious personality and sense of humor made each day at the field worthwhile. Paul also enjoyed winning and had a toughness that made others better.

We reconnected more recently through the diligence of another teammate, Gary Petric, and several members of Paul´s Boilermaker class were able to hopefully let him know he was cared for and loved.

Rest in peace Paul! We will miss you however, a part of your spirit lives on with those you touched along your journey.

God bless,

John Madia

I am saddened to have just learned of Paul's passing. I was privileged to have known Paul for over 50 years since we first met as teammates on the baseball field at Purdue. On the field, "Grooter" was a serious competitor and leader as our catcher. But off the field he was a great guy and friend to anyone who met him. Being from the northern suburbs of Illinois, we shared many car rides together to and from Purdue during which I listened to him singing along with my 8-track player or doing his John Wayne impressions. He had the type of personality that just made you smile when you were with him. I know these last few years were very tough on him, but he was still always fun to be around. We will miss him dearly, but will always remember him. Rest in peace Grooter.
Gary Petric

I believe i was on the first HS teams "Coach" Groot lead. I still remember and use things I learned from him. I think the one thing that stands out, and I know his family will be most proud of is he demanded athletes showed character. This was NON-NEGOTIABLE. God Bless

Fred Kocher
SHS 1984

To the entire Groot family,
Our condolences, prayer's and blessings go out to Paul and family. We are so sorry to hear of Paul´s passing.
God bless,
Gary Majus

So sad to hear of Paul's passing. We roomed together all four years at Purdue in the Evans Scholars House. I shared his passion for sports and the White Sox. So many great times shared in those four years at Purdue. Disappointing that we fell out of touch.

Fr. Bruce Riebe

Rodger Ewing here. Was in the same class as Mike Groot. We lived right behind you on Fletcher Drive. Paul and his brothers would play baseball in their backyard, hitting the ball into our yard and breaking the window in the bedroom I shared with my brothers, about once a week. My mom would not return the ball and the same thing would happen the next week. We had a basket in the garage with all the baseballs she kept. My parents finally stopped fixing the window.

To the entire Groot family I would like to extend our sincerest sympathy for your loss. I remember as a freshmen watching him play baseball and basketball in his senior year at Wheeling. Really fun to watch. Peace and strength to your family.

Jim Eaton and Family

Sorry to see this,we knew who each other were,but that´s about it.Saw him coach a playoff game at Barrington high school.Also stood behind him at a packed basketball playoff game.I really embraced HS sports,as of course he did.Best sports family from WHS,,,RIPeace.

I had Mr. Groot for sophomore health back in 1993. He was a great teacher and an even greater man. He will be missed. May he rest in well deserved peace and my condolences go to his friends, family, colleagues and all his students.
Anthony Wyatt
Class of 1996

Knew Paul in high school through his brother Doug. Re connected many years later as I umpired many games at Schaumburg HS. Paul was a great coach and person. Condolences to the whole family.

Mr. Groot was my Health Teacher in Schaumburg HIgh School . He was a bit dry with humour but a very caring and fair teacher .
I will miss him dearly
Anu Nair
Class of 1994.

Paul really helped me out when I was teaching health to our special education kiddos. Great guy.

Coach Groot was an absolute gem of a guy. He touched so many lives and always believed in you and wanted you to succeed in everything you did. He will be missed by many. Godspeed!

His Smile how he always greeted his students everyday with a smile no matter what was going on. Everyday I would walk into his classroom for class and he would Greet us with a smile, I dont think I ever saw him not smiling.
-Matthew Shepherd
SHS CLASS OF 2012

Coach Groot was one of the first people to believe in me on the field, outside of my dad. I´ll always be grateful to him for that. RIP, Coach.

This is Paul's Wheeling High School Class of 1974 senior picture. Rest in Peace Paul

I had the privilege of knowing and teaching with Paul through many years at Schaumburg High School. He was always a very positive person and a true leader in the classroom and in coaching. I have some very fond memories being able to see him on a daily basis and interact with him during some off-campus times. We shared fishing, golfing and other adventures together and with other staff members. He was always fun to be around and I enjoyed his friendship. I will miss him.
Gary LaRocco

Having him as my coach in `97 and `98. He was a great leader and fun to play for. He wanted the best for us and would help us how ever needed. Loved winning the state championship with him in `97. Great memories will never be forgotten