In Memoriam: Coach J.

He was my daughter's softball coach and a teacher at her high school. He and another teacher were the chaperones that took her and a bunch of students for her first trip to Europe. He was a basketball and volleyball coach.

And he was a wonderful human being.

Eleven years ago while my daughter was still in high school, Steve (Coach J. as everyone knew him) got a lymphoma that went inward. Often the worst kind of cancer. We all knew he had only months to live. Everyone but him. And God. It went into remission, disappeared.

Until a few weeks ago when they told him that it was only a matter of time. He took it with the same calm and grace that he did everything. Except maybe coaching. It didn't look very calm... he loved to yell and stomp. But there was always grace and the players loved him! When I asked my daughter about it the other day she just laughed. "That was Coach J., Dad. That was just the way he was."

What a guy.

Steve died on Tuesday, many years and a lot of life after we thought he was gone. We - as much as Steve- were given a gift.

Here's a portion of his obituary in the Watertown (WI) Daily-Times:

Steve was well-known for teaching excellence. Whether in the classroom, on the playing field or the basketball court, he had a legendary ability to inspire curiosity and passion.

Steve believed that knowledge about others creates caring and he accomplished this by leading students on innumerable trips abroad. He demonstrated consistently how learning about the world can create a hospitable, enjoyable and peaceful place. Steve easily engaged people of many ages, cultures and dispositions. Children in New Guinea, referees on the basketball floor, exchange students at Friday morning breakfasts - all Steve met were drawn into a world of action, generosity and possibility. And, his varied students learned how to earn friendships at home and abroad.

Though he ventured to the far reaches of this earth, to Steve growing at home was as important as it was overseas. In 1994, with seed money he received from the Joe Darcey Excellence in Teaching award, Steve and his students undertook a monumental task in the creation of the International Peace Garden that graces the grounds of Watertown High School campus.

Steve's life created joy, peace and passion that will live on in many others.