James Righeimer Obituary

'Rig' came to HPHS my junior year (1967). What a big personality he had. He really built up guys in a
positive way... He also had quite a 'forearm shiver.' I think I must have flown 10 yards backward once when he popped me!! lol. Fond memories. ~ Gordy (Gershon) Wolf, defensive end

I met Coach Rig in 1988 when I started wrestling in the 8th grade. He gave so much to the sport and to the kids he coached. I knew nothing about the sport when I started and Coach Rig taught me to love the sport and the dedication it took. He was a great man.

Rig, always thinking of you when I need to push through a difficult task.

Coach, I’ll never forget you trying to make me a better man and wrestler. The world is a lesser place without you.

Miss his booming voice, long time neighbor, drew closer to him as time moved on

Rig, youre never forgotten. We miss that smile and the words of encouragement you always gave.

What more can I say that hasn't already been said about this great man!? I didn't even realize how much Coach Rig impacted me until until I thankfully had a chance to gain the wisdom that only comes with age and life experience. He was one of those influential personalities that any of us are blessed to have met during our time here. God Bless you and rest in peace and thank you for your life lessons, Coach Rig!

always remember matside maner - turtleneck n sportcoat ala bo shembeckler

PT truth enabling

Rig was a special human being. His heart and smile would impact you immediately when you met him. All the kids/grown men that you helped when we needed it most, will miss you.

Some people are blessed with the ability to connect with the young and impressionable mind...Coach Rig unquestionably had that gift. A true class act and a man's man, he was proud, fair and tough and I credit him with being one of those inspirational personalities that an athlete can never forget and part of the foundation of who I am today. As a role model and conditioning coach, there were none better, and I can still hear those maxims that he would belt out in a booming voice just when you thought you were out of gas..."You win, you work, you work, you win" and "You'll be a man before your mother"! He was one of those larger-than-life personalities that I feel privileged to have known and I will never, ever forget him. My sincere condolences to his family of whom he always spoke of with the greatest deal of pride. May he rest in peace.

To the man that got me started in the great sport of wrestling. I will never forget the impact you had on your impressionable mind. I know I asked a lot of questions, but you were patient and understanding and answered every last one. May you rest in peace. You will be in heart forever Coach Rig....

HPHS Class of 96

I participated in Coach Righeimer's summer "Green Berets" conditioning program at HPHS in 1968. He was an enormous inspiration, even to skinny non-athletic bookworm-types like me. He was one of the best teachers I've ever had, anywhere. May his memory be blessed.

I was saddened to hear of your loss. Jim Righeimer officited many of my college games when I played and many games that I coached over the years. A great and fair ref, but more importantly, a great man. A really outdtanding man.It was a privilege to have known him.

Depend on Him at all times...before Him pour out the pain that's within. God is a refuge for us. (Ps. 62:8)

C Johnson

I'm a neighbor for 40 yrs. I will miss the visits with him, visits we both enjoyed. Howard Moser

To the family of Coach Rig,

I have had the pleasure of knowing Coach Rig since I went to HPHS and took part in the wonderful Green Beret program. Coach was always there with words of encouragment, and in that program, and all my interactions with the Coach over the years, his words of inspriation have served me well in life.
My deepest condolences to his family. I, my family, and all who knew this mountain of a wonderful man, know that he will be sorely missed.
Ira Frost

Sending thoughts and prayers to the family.
In sympathy,
Dan and Jan Wisniewski

My sincere condolences to the Righeimer family. Rig & I go back a long time. He officiated many of my softball games in Garfield Park & then football games when I coached at Eureka College. My wife & I will always remember Jim & Therese. We had a wonderful visit from them many years ago. They brought flowers from their garden that continue to bloom in our garden. St. Philip High School & the Catholic League have lost a dynamic person.

Jack & Judy Marcoline
Minonk, IL

My sincerest sympathy to the family of Jim. I knew him as a former Gael, St. Philip H.S., football player of the class of 1950. I am from the class of 1951.
Ron Moran

MY CONDOLENCES TO THE RIGHEIMER FAMILY ON THE LOSS OF JIM. HE AND TERESE ARE NOW TOGETHER ALONG WITH SO MANY OTHER GREAT COACHES FROM STS IGNATIUS, PHILIPS, NOTRE DAME, WEBER AND MANY OTHERS. WE SPENT SOME GREAT TIMES OVER THE YEARS...MRS COACH RALPH HINGER...REST IN PEACE.

Deepest condolences to the Righeimer family. Your in my thought and prayers and I'm sure in the thoughts and prayers of many, many more.....RIP Coach

Brian, Vicki, and family,
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your beloved father and grandfather. May all the wonderful memories you share comfort you at this sad time.

We will keep you in our prayers,
David Ruben and Josie Howard-Ruben

God Bless all of the Righeimer members at this time of celebration of the life of Coach Riggies. He was a friend of mine, an associate on the same coaching staffs, agreat story teller an amazing personality and one who will leave a great massive void in our universe! Love ya, man. Mick Ewing, Skokie, Il

My sincere condolences to the Righeimer family. Coach Rig positively influenced mine, and many other lives. He was inspiring, a great teacher, and was able to instruct us about life through his football and other coaching at HPHS. He will be sorely missed, but lives on in our memories of him and the lessons he taught.

A great driving teaching, will be missed.

Very clear and pleasant memories of Jim from as far back as 1953 on the campus of St. Joseph's College in Indiana. Always fun to be around him.

Pride of the Chicago Catholic League....
You will be missed.....thanks for the
memories of a Great Man and Friend

My sincere condolences to the Righeimer Family. I have many fond memories of Jim from my coaching days in the Catholic League & later when Jim often officiated basketball games that my teams played. He was bigger than life & lived to the values he held. I often think of the last time I talked with him here in Arizona at the Fiesta Bowl. Rest in peace Jim as your influence lives on in the life of the many students you influenced.

Thank You Coach Rig, thank you for everything you did for Weber Hs. I enjoyed talking to you at my class reunion in November. Red Pride forever!! God bless you and your family. Scott birmingham WHS class of 87

Coach, I can still hear you yelling at me to hit harder and don't give up. You not only taught us the fundamentals of football and wrestling, but also took us aside to teach us lessons of life that we still use today.

David Millunchick, class of '89

He will be missed. I remember him from HPHS. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Heartfelt and prayerful condolences from the Chicago Police Chaplains. At the request of Niles Police Detective Sgt. John Huinker, Jim will be remembered at the Police Mass on Sunday, 24 MAR, 11:00 a.m., at Mercy Home - 1140 W. Jackson Blvd. In the meantime, may family and friends know the healing touch of Jesus Christ! [Police Chaplains Ministry: www.ChicagoPCM.org or 312/738-7588]

"You work you win. You win you work"

Because of Coach Rig - so many of us learned to never settle for less that the best in ourselves It's a rare man who still receives such admiration & affection from so many of us - so many decades after he made a difference in our lives. His legacy lives on in those he mentored... My Condolences to his family.

He taught me driver's ed-he was a good teacher, my driving is not a reflection of his teaching.

The dedication...the passion...the intensity with which Coach Rig approached his players and his life is a testament to the adage that "you only get out of life what you put into it." Coach Rig got a LOT out of life...and the people he guided along the way are better because of it. The Red Horde community has lost a great friend, but his spirit will live on for many years to come.

I had him as a football and wrestling coach. He was a good man and coach. You will be missed by many.

Rig and I were Teammates at St Philip HS, 1949-50. Another great Gael on his way to heaven.
Phil Robinson class of 1951

Coach Riggy was a legend. Fond fond memories of a wonderful man and great coach. God speed to the family.

He was a great man, teacher and family man. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

So Sad, He was a great man and coach.
He was my US History teacher at Weber H. S. " The book of knowledge"
Horacio '67

Coach Riggy was my homeroom teacher for 3 years at HPHS. And he was a friend. He cared about kids first and foremost. My sympathies to his family and friends. Coach was as good as it gets, and a bright star at HP.

Rig came to Hphs my Jr Year.
I had him for Green Beret summer conditioning.
One day he talked us into doing 1000 sit ups
Most of us did
One of the guys who didn't was the best athlete. Why?
He came late for the pep talk.
And only did a couple hundred.
I can still hear his voice upon seeing me in the hallway.
" Brownie! Cottage cheese
Lots of fruit. Bulk up!
Adieu Coach
RIP
Browknie

Coach Rig was a great coach and a positive influence for me and countless others at HPHS.

Condolences to the Righeimer family. R.I.P. Coach Rigs! Weber Red Horde '95

Coach Rig was my History teacher at Weber H.S.So sorry for your loss.God Bless You All at this sad time. Bob Konopka '62, Al.

Dear Righeimer Family,

May God bless you during this sad time. I am thankful for the fond memories of many great times that we shared with "Coach" over the years.

In Sympathy,

Gail & Patrick