In Memoriam - Raymond Meyer

Mourners from all walks of life attend the wake of DePaul's Ray Meyer--testament to the humanity of a Chicago legend ; Fans send 'Coach' a heartfelt goodbye

They entered St. Vincent de Paul Church on Monday wearing jeans and parkas and knit caps, and a few busy people arrived with their work ID badges still pinned to their clothes.  They stood next to men in sharp suits and women in heels, the wardrobe choice of most of the nearly 2,000 mourners at the public wake of DePaul legend Ray Meyer, who died Friday at 92.

And they stood out. They came as they were. The man who lived his life the same way would have appreciated that.  The faces Chicago easily would recognize are expected to show up Tuesday morning for Meyer's funeral: Mark Aguirre, Isiah Thomas, Larry Brown and possibly Mike Krzyzewski, among others.  But the faces maybe only a Meyer could love, the hundreds of Chicagoans who considered a one-time meeting with "Coach" a lifetime highlight, were the most obvious presence at Monday's memorial.  Meyer drawing people from all walks of life to his wake best illustrates what he evolved into: not just DePaul's coach but Chicago's, a man even Mike Ditka once said deserved that title more than anybody else in the city.  "Cops, firemen, plumbers, all kinds of people could relate to him," said former DePaul star Tom Kleinschmidt, a Blue Demon from 1992-95 who played for Meyer's son Joey. "That's why you see this type of turnout. Regular people want to thank him just for being him."

When the main doors of the church on Webster Street opened at 1 p.m., the line already had snaked around the corner onto Sheffield.  Across the street, a popular campus pizzeria paid its own unique tribute in the window. Written on four separate plates were the words, "God Bless Coach Ray."  Bouquets of flowers surrounded Meyer's casket at the front of the church, sent from stalwarts in the college basketball community such as Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun, Villanova coach Jay Wright, Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White, the Northwestern basketball program and others.  Inside his coffin, Meyer wore an orange basketball tie nattily matched against a dark suit and a peaceful expression that gave his family and friends comfort as they stopped to pay their respects.

"It's been a tough couple of days for all of us, but at the same time when you see the kind of impact one person has had on so many lives, it's been incredibly rewarding," DePaul athletic director Jean Lenti-Ponsetto said. "It took something like this to hearken back to what a national treasure he's been for all of us."  "He changed my life," said Randy Ramsey, a Blue Demons guard from 1974-78. "I met him when I was 14 years old, so I knew him for 37 years. We all loved him, and he kept tabs on all of us."

Mayor Richard Daley, a DePaul graduate, recalled the days when Meyer used to show up in the campus cafeteria just to talk with students.  The coach's easygoing nature contrasted sharply with the "scrappy and tough" Blue Demons teams the mayor recalled from that era.  "He's part of the legend in Chicago, part of the history in Chicago and I think his family realizes that," Daley said. "Everybody does because he was such a wonderful coach and a wonderful man."  Bulls general manager John Paxson found out for himself when he came to Chicago to play in 1985 and developed a rapport with Meyer.  Before that his image of Meyer was restricted to the animated coach he saw arguing with officials while coaching DePaul against Paxson's Notre Dame teams.  "When I played, I thought of him as a raving maniac on the sidelines the way he got on officials," Paxson said, smiling. "[But] this is a legend, a guy who treated people the right way. It's always sad when people of his character pass, especially the way the world is today."

Without Meyer molding his character, Lemone Lampley wonders if he ever would have gone from the South Side to DePaul to a successful career that has brought him back to campus as a part of the school's athletic administration.  "He's one of the reasons I'm here now," said Lampley, a 6-foot- 11-inch center who played for both Ray and Joey Meyer. "He was old- school and he made me work." Once, Meyer just made Lampley mad--a tale he recalled fondly Monday. Seems Meyer ordered his players to run line drills after a lackluster practice, and Lampley complained he was tired.  "Coach just told someone to get him a chair and a Pepsi. He sat down and said, 'I'm not tired,"' Lampley said.

A career spanning 42 seasons suggests Meyer never got tired of coaching, a legacy former DePaul coach Dave Leitao believes is as impressive as any. Leitao left DePaul for Virginia last year after three seasons.  "In this day and age, you're trying to find your way for 42 months, not 42 years," Leitao said. "It's purity that helped [Meyer] make it through those years, the heart he has."  Hearts all over campus, around the city and in the basketball world are a little heavier this week.  On prayer cards available in the church's vestibule, a vibrant Meyer clutches a basketball on the front and a strong, loving family says goodbye on the back.  "It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone," the prayer reads. "A part of us went with you the day God called you home."

Chicago Tribune, Mar 21, 2006, pg 1, David Haugh, Tribune staff reporter

In Memoriam - Andrew Kopan

Andrew T. Kopan, Ph.D. Beloved husband of Alice, nee Orphanos; devoted son of the late Thomas and Katherine Kopan; loving brother of Virginia (the late James) Drousias, the late Dr. Chris (Kay) Kopan of Toledo, OH, Demetra (Marinos) Tripodis, Gus (the late Estelle) and George (the late Sophie) Kopan; son-in-law of the late Pericles "Peter" and Tula Orphanos; dear uncle, cousin and friend of many.

Visitation Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Conboy's Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd. (two blks West of Mannheim Rd.), Westchester. Family and friends will meet Saturday morning at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 601 S. Central, Chicago, for visitation from 9:30 a.m. until time of funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Services officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos and other clergy. Interment Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center (A.T. Kopan Special Collections Fund), 801 W. Adams St., Chicago, IL 60607, or DePaul University Library Special Collections (A.T. Kopan) c/o De Paul University Development, One East Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604.

Dr. Kopan, 82, was a Coast Guard veteran of World War II, University professor, scholar, administrator, mentor and speaker. A career spanning 60 years as columnist/journalist, lecturer, historian, philosopher, author, editor, lay theologian, activist, church and civic leader... a Fulbright Scholar. "Renaissance" educator with a zest for life and learning.., a fighting spirit, initiating innovative programs and causes during his lifetime. Dr. Kopan was Professor Emeritus of Education, DePaul University, where he taught the history and philosophy of education from 1968 to 1994, Chairman of Educational Foundations, Director of Educational Policy Studies and later, Director of Graduate Programs. He was a graduate of DePaul and Northwestern Universities, received a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology in Boston.

When he retired in 1994 Professor Kopan was awarded DePaul University's highest faculty honor, the Via Sapientiae award (I will Show You the Way of Wisdom), for his outstanding teaching, service and leadership. The University established the Andrew T. Kopan Senior Honors Leadership Award in 1996. Dr. Kopan had also conducted DePaul European study tours for 12 years for educators. A 40-year active member of Phi Delta Kappa International, he received the Distinguished Educators Award in 1997.

He taught and served as educational consultant in England, Greece and Israel. Specializing in multicultural and ethnic education and immigration studies, he served on federal and state education commissions. His awards for cultural pluralism include those from the White House Conference on Education, Illinois State Office on Multi-Culturalism, Chicago's Bicentennial Project, the University of Texas and Yeshiva University in New York.

As a recognized authority in his areas of specialization, he participated in the Ellis Island Project. He has contributed over 3,000 articles in the print media, 300 monographs and journal articles and authored 16 books. Among them are his prize- winning chapter in Ethnic Chicago: A Multi-cultural Portrait (1977, 1981, 1984, 1995); Education and Greek Immigrants in Chicago 1892- 1973 (1990); "The Greek Press in America" in The Ethnic Press in the United States (1987); Rethinking Urban Education (1972); Education and Cultural Pluralism (1970); and 'Multi-cultural Education' in Dictionary of American Immigration (1990). His most recent contributions appeared in the Women Building Chicago 1790-1990 (2001) and the entry "Greeks" in the recently published Encyclopedia of Chicago (2004).

A lifelong faithful Orthodox Christian, one of the founders of the Pan-Orthodox CEYOLA and GOYA youth groups in the 1940's and '50's, he served as National President of GOYA. Dr. Kopan also served the Church as a delegate of the Archdiocese to the 2nd Assembly of the World Council in 1954; a delegate to the 1960 Ecumenical Assembly of Youth at Lausanne, Switzerland; member of the Archdiocesan Council; Boards of Trustees of Hellenic College/Holy Cross Theological School, Boston, and St. Basil Academy, New York, religious education curricula for the Greek Diocese of Chicago, an articulate supporter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey) writing extensively in defense of its prerogatives as a world religious center, he was honored by the late Patriarch Demetrios with the special title "Teacher of the Nation" as an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and member of the Order of St. Andrew.

He was one of the founders and the first president of the Hellenic Museum of Chicago, a Founder of Illinois Ethnic Coalition, a founder of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) a national movement advocating Orthodox Christian Unity. He served as Ethnic Liaison Director for the United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC). He served for 15 years as principal of Koraes Elementary School and also served on the parish council of St. Constantine and Helen Church. A lifetime member of AHEPA Woodlawn Chapter.

Dr. Kopan served as a commissioner of the River Forest Traffic and Safety Commission for over 10 years. One of the founding board of directors of SOS Village, Illinois. He received numerous awards in a wide area of academic, church and civic organizations.

His wife wishes to express special appreciation to the physicians, nurses and caregivers who made Dr. Kopan's epic struggles with Parkinson's Disease and cancer tolerable. "He fought the good fight relentlessly." 708-F.U.N.E.R.A.L

Chicago Tribune, July 7, 2006, pg. 12
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Andrew T. Kopan ; 1924 - 2006; Historian was Greek expert; DePaul professor was authority on parents' native country and on Chicago immigrants

Dr. Andrew T. Kopan was a longtime DePaul University professor, scholar and writer who became the de facto historian for Chicago's Greek community.  When he wasn't teaching, lecturing or writing, he spent his time reading textbooks and examining ancient maps in an attempt to learn more about all things Greek. Most importantly, friends and family said, he shared that knowledge with others.  "He was huge in the local Greek community," said Elaine Kollintzas Drikakis, executive director of the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center, which Dr. Kopan helped found. "We looked to Dr. Kopan, as did many scholars nationwide, as the authority on Greek immigration, particularly in Chicago."

Dr. Kopan, 82, of River Forest, died Saturday, July 1, in Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park of complications from cancer and Parkinson's disease.  Dr. Kopan's service to the Greek community began in 1954, when he became principal at Koraes Elementary School, a private Greek Orthodox school now located in Palos Hills. He worked there for 12 years.  "He was an ardent supporter of having high ideals; he was always telling children to aim for the stars," said Rev. Byron Papanikolaou of the Saints Constantine & Helen Church, which oversees the school.

He left the school in 1964 for DePaul University, but his mentoring and influence on the Greek community continued. He penned articles, researched church histories, lectured locally and abroad and was an active member in the Greek Orthodox Church.  "He was well known not only in the Chicago Greek community, but nationally among Greeks, especially in Orthodox Church circles," Papanikolaou said. "He didn't seek it out, but his writings, his lectures, his support, made him well known."  Dr. Kopan's columns in the monthly Greek Press became a mainstay of the paper.  "He wrote articles about the history of Greece, the Crusades, Cyprus, Constantinople, Turkey, you name it," said Helen Angelopoulos, former owner and editor. "He was a terrific writer. He was always digging, researching the facts."

Dr. Kopan was one of six children raised in a small South Side home by his parents, Greek immigrants, said his wife, Alice.  He graduated from Calumet High School in 1943 and enlisted in the Coast Guard immediately after graduation.  He served on a ship in the South Pacific, his wife said, and returned in 1945 with a hearing injury he sustained from bomb explosions.  Upon completing his service, Dr. Kopan attended DePaul and graduated in 1949 with a degree in history. Shortly after, he furthered his studies at Northwestern University, receiving a master's degree in history.  He traveled to Greece in 1953 as a Fulbright Scholar and graduated from University of Chicago in 1974 with a doctoral degree in social foundation, his wife said.  In 1994, Dr. Kopan retired from DePaul, but his legacy continues with the Andrew T. Kopan Senior Leadership Award, which recognizes one or two graduating students each year for their leadership, academics and service.  In addition to his wife, Dr. Kopan is survived by his sister, Virginia Drousias. Services have been held.

Chicago Tribune, July 16, 2006, page 5, Brendan McCarthy, Tribune staff reporter

In Memoriam - James Carnana

James V. Carnana, beloved husband of the late Sue "Susie"; loving father of Steve (Tina) and Joseph (Catalina); adored grandfather of Christle, Patrick, Tracy, Anthony and Joseph; great-grandfather of Jeremy; dear brother of Joey (Grace) Carnana and the late Babe (late Sam) Tarsitano; and fond uncle and great-uncle to many.

Retired 44 year employee of DePaul University.  Visitation Sunday, 4 to 8 p.m. at Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home, 17W201 Roosevelt Rd. (just west of Rt. 83), Oakbrook Terrace, where funeral services will begin Monday, 11 a.m. Interment Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery.

To celebrate Jim's life, visit www.mem.com.  For service info, call 630-941-5860.  Sign Guestbook at chicagotribune.com/obituaries.

Chicago Tribune, February 15, 2010, page 21.
For photos of "Little Jimmy" 

In Memoriam - Bruno Switalski

Rev. Bruno Switalski, Ph.D, age 93, beloved son of the late Edmund and Maria Switalski; loving brother of Margaret (late George) Podkowicz, and Agnieszka (Waclaw) Mardosiewicz; also loving uncle and great-uncle to many. Lying in state Friday, August 2 from 3 to 9 p.m. at St. Tarcissus Church, 6020 W. Ardmore, Chicago, IL. Mass Saturday 10 a.m. Cremation private. Retired Professor of DePaul University, Chicago. Associate Pastor at St. Tarcissus Church for 14 years. Arrangements handled by Colonial-Wojciechowski Funeral Home, 773-774-0366.

Chicago Tribune, North Sports Final Edition, August 2, 2002, Page: 9, Copyright (c) 2002, Chicago Tribune Company

Snapshot of DES, May 2008

 Who Makes Up the New DePaul Emeritus Society?

• As we begin the DePaul Emeritus Society, we are 216 individuals strong with five more to join us at the end of this academic year.

• Of this initial 216, nearly two-thirds or 65.7% are faculty. (142 faculty; 74 staff)

• Our gender representation is 64.8% male and 35.2% female (140 male; 76 female)

• Our current retirees stretch over three decades with the earliest retirement date of 1978.

• Our ages also span a few decades with our youngest retiree being born in 1952 and our two most senior retirees born in 1915.

• 67.1% of us live in Illinois, the other third lives in 26 states and one foreign country. Slightly more than 50% (51.4%) of the out-of-state members live in four states: Florida (10) Arizona (9), Wisconsin (9), and California (8).

• Although not confirmed, it appears that Dr. Houk, who retired in 1991, but actually continues to teach part-time and work with the DePaul Geographical Society, probably has the longest active association with DePaul of 59 years!!!

Another Technological Step

This was pretty easy. Maybe we can mention this at the next luncheon and put it in the newsletter.

DES Mission

DePaul University values its ongoing connections with its faculty and staff retirees, as it values their past contributions to the university’s mission.  The DePaul University Emeritus Society was founded in 2008 with the merger of the Staff Emeritus Society and the Emeritus Professors Association. The Society is sponsored by the University’s Office of Mission and Values.

The purpose of the DePaul Emeritus Society is to provide a means for ongoing connection, communication, and socialization between the university and its emeritus faculty and staff, and between individual retirees whose professional lives were for so many years dedicated to university service.
 

We'd like to hear from the DES members regarding what you think about this purpose/mission.  Click on "comments" below and let us know your opinion.