Gary Korhonen Obituary

Coach korhonen was a good coach, he was nice and polite,he always trained his players how to be better, rest in peace brother korhonen

I met coach korhoren in 2003,he was a good man,nice and polite, I was in tears when he passed away, you are in my prayers, rest in peace brother.

a photo of Gary Korhonen (down lineman second from rt.) in his college football days at Upper Iowa University, Sept 1963. Gary always remained the same throughout life and was a very humble person. He did not let success go to his head. He will be missed by many. Richard Bovey

Just found out that Gary Korhonen has passed away. What a loss of one very fine and extraordinary human being. Gary played football in college in Iowa with my brother Tom and they were very close friends. I stayed in touch with Gary and told him that he should put his hat in the ring when the head football coaching position at Notre Dame opened up several years back. Gary kind of chuckled since he was a humble human being. I also sent Gary a newspaper photo dating back to around 1960 when he played football in Iowa with my brother Tom. Bet Gary still had it. We miss you Gary and may God bless you and your family. Richard

I left Richards in the middle of 11th grade in January 1973. I didn't know Mr. Korhonen very well. I think he may have been a new coach at the time. Thank you for your service to the Oak Lawn community, Mr. Korhonen. Rest in peace.

I wish I could have told you that the man I am today was due to many lessons learned while you were our Coach. God be with you. R.I.P. 73 alum.

Home again. Debby

My deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Korhonen. He was a rare individual. I met him in 1972 at Richards when I was a 17 year old (not very good) student going through a rough time. He treated me with respect and kindness. I will be forever grateful for that.

Our deepest condolences to The Korhonen family. Your husband and father will be in our prayers. Dr M

I remember Gary as the measured and steady presence around the flurry of his assistant coaching staff. He was intense yet always kind.
He respected his players and opponents equally.

Every time I drive past Korhonen field I think of his impact on his students, athletes and also the community at large.
I am sorry to learn of his passing. He was truly a great guy...as humble as he was.He had a wonderful life.

Mark Veldman

Outside of my father I learned so many lessons from Coach that I used on my kids.I played for Gary when I was a freshman in 1970 and his first varsity back in 73.I ran into him at volleyball games occasionally over the years and it was uncanny how he remember little details about games back when I was playing.We all lost a good one Heaven gained a great one RIP Coach

Coach K was such an amazing person. He had such a big heart for his family, friends, colleagues, and all the students at Richards. I never interacted with him as a coach in high school. But having the chance to see him in the burbs a few times, I will never forget that. He always had a smile on his face and was so happy to be alive. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I give my sympathies and condolances to Eileen and his family. I wish nothing but the best. RIP Coach!

I am so sorry to hear that Coach K has passed. He was an inspiration to so many. The coaching world has lost one of our all time greats and a special man. RIP

I'm so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was a great guy and outstanding colleague. I was always happy to have his players in class--if they ever forgot an assignment, one mention of the coach and they'd quickly get it done. Here's hoping your happy memories of him, Eileen, will bring you comfort and peace.
Most sincerely,
Marilyn O'Shaughnessy

My son had Gary as one of his last teams he led for the Bulldogs. No matter who you were he would always smile and talk to you. Such a great personality and a great person. You will be missed Gary, RIP.

One of the men that shaped me into the man that I became. Thank you coach, you will surly be missed and rest knowing that you made a difference in so many lives... (Team of 1973)

Gary will stand as one of the most decent and caring individuals that I have known. I still remember his cheery good mornings from behind the cardboard box filled with football files on his shoulder. The world was better for Gary. He will be missed. My deepest condolences.

Our sincere sympathy to you Eileen and family. The Lokanc Korhonen family connection has gone full circle way back to Eisenhower. Gary was a special man. He will be missed by all! The Lokanc Family

Gary and I were classmates and good friends at Amundsen High School, we talked many times over the years regarding his many successes at Richards H.S. as head football coach and winning State Championships. My sincere condolences to Gary's family in your loss.

Plated against his teams. He was a great motivator and tactician. Got to really know Coach while at NIU. He encouraged me to not abandon the sinking ship.
He shaped many lives.

I PLAYED FOOTBALL WITH GARY AT AMUNDSEN HIGH SCHOOL AND FOUND HIM TO BE A TRUE FRIEND . WE WILL MISS HIM. SYMPATHIES TO HIS FAMILY .

Every time I had the chance to interact with coach, he was a true gentleman, an outstanding ambassador of the game. Sympathies to his family on his passing.

I first met Coach when I was a 20 year old student teacher at Richards High School in 1973. He was as influential in me becoming a high school football coach as anyone. He never hesitated to talk about teaching and coaching no matter how busy he was. During the '90's it was my pleasure to go to his house to exchange film, ideas and strategies in facing a playoff opponent.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, children, and family along with the thousands of young lives he affected as a teacher and coach. RIP my friend, you'll be missed, but never forgotten.

Asst. Football Coach, Mount Carmel HS (1985-2006, 2013-present)

Best coach and geography teacher....

I met Coach Gary Korhonen in the fall of '69 as a freshmen. Not only did he teach me the finer points of football but life lessons as well. We have maintained our friendship all this time. And my prayers go out to thru family
GARY MAY YOU RIP

We are deeply saddened and pray that God will grant you strength in this most difficult time. Our most sincere condolences

Played with Gary our freshman year at Amundsen. So sorry to hear of your loss.

Our family is sad to hear about your family's loss. We met Gary through OYA baseball when he coached with Tom Nowak. We had many great seasons with him, and he cared about every boy on the team, giving each equal attention. Gary loved his family - I remember him telling me how he and Kris would get up in the morning and read the sports section of the paper over breakfast. Please accept our sympathies.

Maureen (Sloat), Mike and Brad O'Brien

Football players are not the only lives he touched at Richards, Coach was a devoted teacher and his advice lifted a self esteem I did not realize was lacking at the time. Rest in Peace Mr. K.

Please accept my sincerest condolences for your loss. I hope that words such as those found at John 6:40 bring you comfort at this difficult time. CR