James N. Bach

After 71 years on this planet, after completing the journey the Almighty had laid out for him, Jim transitioned from this earthly realm into the spiritual realm, reuniting with his brother Hank, his parents, and other family members and friends who had gone on before him. Though the cancer had taken his body, nothing could ever cause his soul to waver. His spirit was always full of love and passion for a just and honest life- which he fulfilled. He was blessed with great friends, a loving family and respect throughout the community as a police officer, coach, and mentor during his life in Chicago. After almost thirty years as a Chicago Police Officer, he was able to fulfill his dream of retiring to a home on the lake. Almost five years ago he bought a home and relocated to Little Bay DeNoc in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Lake Michigan- God’s Country- which he shared with his Black Lab/Husky Sadie.

Born on the North Side of Chicago to Henry and Helen Bach, he and his older brother Hank were the Original ‘Baseball Bach Brothers’ from Norwood Park. Jim followed in the footsteps of his brother, first attending Hitch Elementary School and later attending Taft High School. Hank, seven years his senior, led the way showcasing his talents as a catcher in baseball. Hank taught Jim all the secrets he learned and tools he used to improve his ability as a ball player. Earning All-City and All-State honors as a catcher, Jim received a scholarship to the University of Illinois at Urbana. A two-sport athlete in high school, Jim also excelled on the basketball court- just ask his childhood best friend and team mate Ken Lindenau.

U of I and Jim were not a perfect fit, so Jim came back to Chicago and got involved with the Detached Street Workers Unit, an organization implemented to get kids off the streets and into productive programs. With his brother Hank as one of the founders of the organization in Chicago, Jim always had support and guidance.

Jim’s journey through the workforce was an unique one. From being a worker with the Detached program, to a skilled iron worker (his grandfather was one of the founders of the ornamental ironworkers union), to a salesman, to a Chicago Police Officer, to a real estate agent, to supervising Chris’s Billiards Pool Room on Milwaukee Avenue, Jim always gave his best effort because he cared about the outcome of the job he performed. He received honors and accommodations from the Chicago Police Department multiple times for his honorable service in the community.

Married to Adele Janus on April 18, 1970, he worked tirelessly to provide for her and then his three children- James, Michael and Jessica- always trying to provide a greater life for his loved ones than he had for himself. Taking the midnight shift with the police department so he would be able to coach his children in basketball, baseball/softball and football, he selflessly gave up hours of sleep and personal time to teach his- and others’ kids- everything he knew about playing the sport- the same way his brother taught him; and in his later years, teaching his granddaughter Isabella Rose and attending her basketball and volleyball games when he visited Chicago. Watching Isabella was one of his greatest joys.

In the purest sense, he loved the sport of baseball. Playing it as long as his body allowed, coaching his kids with each new season, and then watching it at any level available. He always had more patience and care when watching the children play, but when it came to watching the “professionals”, he had no tolerance for “stupid” baseball, “falling asleep” or a “bonehead play”. “How much is that guy getting paid to play a kids game?” or, “He gets paid to make such a silly mistake?” were some of his regular sayings when watching the Cubs or the White Sox.

If Jim wasn’t watching or playing baseball, he was out fishing- or at least thinking about being out fishing. He loved the peace and quiet of being on the water along with the thrill and excitement of the fish striking his line. Spending time fishing with his sons always brought him happiness and was one of the things we all wish we had spent more time doing together. Being there with Isabella and helping her with her first catch was an experience that brought incredible joy to him.

And did I mention that he liked to dance? He could cut a rug like nobody’s business.

Jim’s wishes were to have a one day viewing at Malec & Sons Funeral Home, 6000 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago which will take place August 28 from 3:00pm until 8:00pm. His family will privately fulfill his final wishes in returning his remains to Rapid River, Michigan.

His physical self has been exhausted but his SPIRIT has just caught the first pitch and is ready to play ball!

A Poem by Robert Arthur Miller

Baseball Heaven

A little boy that played baseball

would always practice but never rest,

because he only wanted to someday play

with the very best.

Then one morning he awoke

to go practice for a game with his team,

but when he arrived at the field

it's grass was no longer green.

It didn’t look in anyway close

to the way it was the day before,

and his team mates were now all different

and there were so many more.

When he was going to take his position

he saw so many team mates that caught his eye,

they were all that of baseball legends

that he was passing by.

He thought how was it even possible

that these greats could be there to play,

because he knew that they were all

the baseball legends that passed away.

He walked up to a player

who he thought might be Babe Ruth,

to get answers to what was happening

and he only wanted the truth.

The player thought that the easiest way

to tell this young boy at the age of eleven,

was to tell him that he over worked his heart

and came to rest in baseball heaven.

To rest is now all the boy could do

because last night he passed away,

but God granted him more than his wish

he could now play with the best every day.