You come across many different people growing up most of them you forget.  The ones that you remember made a difference.  Coach is one of those that not only made a difference but defined the word class.  From the field house to the rink to the baseball diamond  he never let the kids down.     Thanks Coach.

I am the Editor of the Edgewater Scrapbook and would like to do an article about the Peirce skating club. It will honor coach anderson's memory and I would appreciate any recollections you can pass on  kathygemperle@yahoo.com

Coach was an amazing man. A great man to look up to. I have so many fond memories of him. I do not miss the soap though! So sorry to hear of his passing. I Had so many great times at the field house! You are a part of the man and father I have become. You would proud of so many of us.
RIP Coach! I

Coach touch so many kids lives. I  respect him and will remember him fondly he was a terrific person he will be missed by many, 
Linda Loudon

So very sorry to read that "Coach" has passed away. I went to Pierce from 1965- 1970. Like many of us, most of our after school time was playing sports that Coach organized. He ran a tight ship and kept many of us out of trouble through sports. He set a great example of sportsmanship and if you swore you know he would grab the bar of soap and make you pay. Thank you Coach for so many great memories.

I remember coach with great love and respect. He was like everyones Dad he cleaned you up if you fell down and hurt yourself and he washed many mouths out with soap!!! May he rest in peace.

Coach was big and scary when I little but as I grew older he became a big old teddy bear.  He cared for all his charges and was a big part of my childhood.  Skating on the frozen playground was the best thing ever!  My condolences to the Anderson family and all of Coach's many friends and admirers.

Terri (Simonoff) Jeffries
Woodinville, WA

So many memories, spent my entire childhood at the playground, and if it wasn't for coach who knows where many of us would be today. He was a great man and like a father to me.
RIP Coach, you were and still are loved by many.
Pierce class of 70

Loved Coach like a father! A great, great man!

Jeff Stillwell

Condolences to the Anderson family.  Our community was blessed to have a wonderful influence like Coach in the lives of so many kids.  He and Marie are remembered with love and gratitude.

Valerie (Simonoff) Lescantz, Lake Forest Park, WA, Pierce class of '73

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your
time of grief.  May your memories bring you 
comfort.

The staff of Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care

My deepest sympathies to the Anderson family.  Coach was a wonderful man.  I attended Pierce and some of my fondest memories were skating in the winter.

Much has been said about Coach already and I couldn't agree more.  His influence on all of the kids that were in his care on the playground is immeasurable.  My deepest condolences to Norm's family.  He is fondly remembered.

To the anderson family - sorry for your great loss  I have such wonderful memories of NOrm  from my childhood - RIP Coach  you will be missed  Deb ( Nathan) freeman - Peirce school

I lived at Peirce playground and all the organized sports were such a joy. Skating being the best. Coach was last a breed of high disciplined, no nonsense guys who did with a heart. A great center on the football team was he also. Rest in peace.
jim nakao, Huntington Beach CA formerly of the Peirce Skating club,

Rest in peace Coach. You will be deeply missed. 

Jim Nakao Peirce Skating club

To the Anderson Family:

I went to Peirce back in the 70s.  He was a great man, was a natural mentor and wonderful caring man.  I thank your family for sharing his life with us as we grew with his influence.  Many prayers as you go through this difficult time.

Dear Anderson Family..My memories of your Dad and Pierce are great ones. Ice skating, softball, jumping roping and just playing in and around the field house. Teach and Coach were always there for us. So many fond memories He was a great  example for young people and a great coach. He will be sorely missed. Thanks Coach for everything  !      Laureen {Durham} Walsh Gurnee IL.and Linda Durham Chicago IL.

Norman was a gentle giant and always fun to be around. I remember Marie and Norm from many family events and the parties with Ed and Larry. My thoughts and prayers are with.

Dear Anderson family, my condolences. I went to Pierce and played after school at the field house every day. I still remember him vividly handing out sports equipment, umpiring games and, giving advice. He will always be remembered.

Tommy Avello

Brian andLaura so sorry for your loss. Brian your Dad is in our prayers Rob and Judi Weel

To the Anderson Family;
Norm was an inspiration to all who knew him. My children were in awe (and a little afraid) until they found out what a great man he was around the "heat box". He will be missed very much.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all. It was a privilege to have known him.
Kay Klaiber

We did not know the Coach back in his days at Pierce, but in reading the entries he gave great memories to  others and was a true mentor to all. We knew him later in life where he was a strong influence to to his grandchildren and other lives he touched, he never missed a sports activity or any event. I remember Coach Norm and Marie would travel all the way from Kenosha Wisconsin where he lived for a short period to watch a little league game or attend an event related to his grandkids. Whether we were young or later in life as parents, he impacted us all and and gave direction no matter what age. He left a large footprint in this world. To Brian, Judy, Peggie and families, may God bless you all in this time of sorrow.

Joy, Jerry, Nick & Madeline

Coach was one of the greatest! His memories will live on.....

As a kid I grew up across the street from Pierce Playground. I would spend all day there, it was my second home.  Coach made Pierce a great place to grow up. The biggest lesson I learned from Coach was to respect others. We feared him but reveared him. I cannot explain how hard the news of his death hit me. It has been over 30 years since I have seen him, but he was such an important part of my life that I want say " Thank you Coach" from a kid who hung out at Pierce Playground. I love you.

I no longer live in Chicago, but just a few weeks ago drove by the old playground which was built over with the school addition years back, and told my daughter about the great place it was. It was great because great people worked and ran it and "Coach" was truly a wonderful human being. There were countless times when he would talk to me and just happen to say exactly what I needed to hear at that time. Many of us St Gregory kids were never made to feel any different than the Pierce kids and "coach" made a big difference in many of our lives with positive mentoring and a healthy place to play on a swing and when we grew older; softball. Many don't realize this but he organized and ran all those summer softball leagues on his own time without pay from the Chicago Public Schools. Today, many employees wouldn't do that and it was those softball leagues that kept us in contact with him when we outgrew the swings and the water sprinkler in the back of the field house. I am also glad that some years later, I had the opportunity to thank him for everything he did for that neighborhood and the memories he helped create for all of us kids. RIP Coach and may you now experience your true reward of which you so gallantly earned one kid at a time. Peace.

Dear Anderson family-
I have fond memories of Norm and your entire family from our years growing up on Albany. He was an anchor to our block just as he apparently was for many in his work life. May he rest in peace. 
WIth best wishes,
Neal Persky

To a good Friend and a second Father to many who new it was safe in his arms wich were wraped around Perice Playground,God bless you travel well my friend and dont forget to chalk the lines and have the feild ready for ys when we get there

I am sorry to hear of his passing away. Coach Anderson was one of the last remaining great coaches of the board of education playgrounds that wewas liker a father to us and taught us to become men and competitive with all the other kids in the city. I was from Mozart school and he encouraged us and supported us to become champions and decent kids. He was there for speedskating meets and many other sports like wrestling and horseshoes. marbles volley ball,track, etc. He helped everyone. I will never forget you coach

Dear Anderson Family, my wife and I are very sorry to hear of Coach's passing, He was truly a great role model for us as kid's and young adults.I think that many of us wouldn't have turned out as good if Coach wasn't there to teach and guide us, thankyou for sharing him with us for so many years, he will be truly missed. God Bless the Anderson Family, Tom and Debby Giese

I had the pleasure of playing ball and skating at Peirce for about 25 years. Coach Norm was a tremendous person who was fair to all of us.  He was a man who kept all of us grounded by teaching us the importance of competiveness but emphasizing fairness and sportsmanship as well.  We were all neighborhood kids who competed against each other but most importantly we were all friends off the field.  Coach made all of us feel welcome at Peirce. Whether you were a kid who walked the straight and narrow or a bit of a wayward child, Coach never judged us, he was fair and treated us all equally.  He truly was a "Father figure" to all of us.  There just isn't many people around like him anymore.  Thank you Coach for all of the wonderful memories and great times!!!! May God bless you sir!

Dear Anderson Family,

I am very sorry to hear of Coach Anderson's passing. Coach was a very special man. He gave so much of himself yet asked nothing in return but to see the kids around him succeed and be safe. I hope you find comfort in knowing how much he touched the lives of others and how much he was loved.

It is an honor to have known Coach, a top class gentleman and sportsman.  The Pierce Fieldhouse was a warm and caring environment under his watchful eye.  He kept us busy ice skating, shooting bumper pool, playing ping pong among many structured activities. Coach taught us to respect each other and live a "good" life.  An occasional "taste" of soap made sure our vocabulary was proper.  There are few people in this world that influence and make a difference in the life of young adults.  It was an joy to have known this wonderful man.  God Bless him!

To the Anderson Family: You Will never know what an Impact that Coach had on so many of Our lives at the Peirce Fieldhouse. From Umpiring hundreds of Softball games, (Steeeeeeeeeek was a Strike), to flag football leagues, to Basketball leagues on the blacktop, to The Halloween Parties and Parades, to Freezing the Field in the winter so we kids would have a place to go have fun. He truly helped mold Me as a person, had the highest of morals, and kept everyone in check. I wish You Godspeed, Norm, and Thank You. Thank You from the bottom of My Heart!

To Brian, Judy, Peggy and their Families:
Norman was a dear friend for 63 years. Our
two families were closely knit sharing many trips and many Speedskating events.
Things Remembered:
All the fun times at Wonder Lake:
  The Flintstones Party.
  Building the Marble Staircase up the big hill.
  The 5 kids sleeping head to toe on the Sun   
  Porch.
  Norman losing his trunks while Water Skiing.
  White Bass Fishing on the Wolf River and 
  living in the Crow's Nest.
  Drinking Rock & Rye on the River & the Gals
  getting "Happy" by eating the fruit.
  Sturgeon fishing on the Wisconsin River  & 
  taking l l/2 hours to land one.
  Cleaning 300 White Bass with the Gals.
  New Years Parties in Decatur
Norman was a friendly and fun person to be
around.  We treasure our good times shared
with Him & Marie.
Larry & Edna Ralston

What a good picture of Coach!  Frank and Yaki too.  I hated when he would point at me. Shivers ran down my back.  What would we have done without Teach. Coach, and I have to mention Jesse. The role models of Andersonville. These are the three people who helped make us and our sisters and brothers what they are today. Coach was not a person to reckon with but he would give you a good talking to And if you needed his shirt he'd give it to you and send you on your way. God has all 3 now. May you all R. I. P.

Condolences from the Jonland family. Many fond memories of Norm from "back in the day" speed skating.

Coach definitely kept all the kids from Peirce and the neighborhood in check.  He made sure we all stayed out of trouble, had a safe respectful fieldhouse to play and study at after school. Condolences to his family and friends. Rest in peace.

Dear Brian, Judy and Peggy,
Your dad was so much a part of my life too and I will always miss his witt and those weekend nites of fast driving to Wonder Lake sitting in the back of the station wagon with Carol and Peggy. I always smiled when we beat my parents there! Those memories and our dinners on the way home I will treasure forever.  

You all have beautiful families and now your dad has joined your mom and they are together again watching over all of you as your children and grandchildren go through all their days ahead.  
Mark and I are saddened by his passing but smile everytime we think of him and know you will too. 
Love, Jean

God Bless you Coach.
Thanks for all the trophys and great memorys. You molded many a young men especially tthose that needed a positive male influence in there life. Thanks for all that you did; Freezing the ice rink; forming the speed skate teams. reffing the games; organizing the leagues Boxing; etc I could go on for pages. Your life had a positive impact on many!
Thank You
Enjoy your well earned final reward.
"Eggy"
Kevin Clancy

There are so many who share in the sadness of Coach Anderson's passing. The influence he had on an entire neighborhood and the children who grew up within it cannot easily be explained, but I am certain that all those who read this know exactly what I mean.   There are so few people who can honestly say had a positive affect upon so many.  Norm Anderson was one of those few.  We are all better to have known him.

Sorry to hear of Coach's passing.  He was a great man.  Didn't take any guff from any of the teenagers that he ran into at the play ground.  I always felt at ease when my kids and I went to the park after school to play at the park.  We will miss him dearly.  Sympathy to his family.  

Mrs. Nancy Novak and family, Chi. Ill.

My deepest sympathies to Coach's family. Coach was a wonderful man and I have many fond memories from Pierce Playground. He was a blessing to many kids and was always there for us...

My deepest sympathies to Coach's family, friends, loved ones. I remember him fondly from my days at Pierce, a big teddy bear. He touched many lives.

Coach helped raise thousands of kids and touched countless number of lives. I cant begin to tell the hundreds of stories. He was truly an amazing man and a part of Andersonville history. I was truly blessed as were so many neighborhood kids to have such a solid role model. Thanks for everything coach and enjoy your two weeks out of the park. My deepest condolences to his entire family. 
  Brendan Clancy

Brian,  Sorry to hear of your father's passing.  We've been through it and it's never easy.  Cherish the good memories!   John & Jo Ann Kammer (Sugar Shores)

OBITUARY

Norman L. Anderson

February 7, 1925 – June 17, 2013

Oehler Funeral Home

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