John Palm Obituary

Dear members of the Palm family, I just now found out about Mr. Palm's passing. It's funny, I'm 59 now and I'll always think of him as Mr. Palm. The time I spent being in the incredibly creative times surrounding our town's little scandal about teachers who dared to shake students out of their complacency and make them be more authentic as people, certainly ranks as one of the most precious of my life, and above that perhaps the most pivotal to who I was to become. It was a true crossroads for me and learning from Mr. Palm made all the difference. Your family was blessed to be so close to him and we students were blessed to have been awakened by him. Rest in peace Mr. Palm.

Hello Everyone,



Thank you to all for sharing your thoughts about John. We are deeply moved by your heartfelt words. It means a great deal to have heard from each of you. Please feel free to write again if you wish. We all loved John and miss him very much.



Sincerely,

Linda K. Barker

Matthew Palm

John Palm, III

John was my High School teacher at Niles East in the heady days of the early 1970s. He was famous for pushing the desks and our pre-conceptions of learning to one side and making us think (whilst sitting on the floor). John was one of the reasons I got up for school in the morning and for my becoming a teacher myself. I know this was true for many of the students. I have not been in touch for 30 years but will not forget John Palm. My heartfelt condolences to you all. He was a hero.

TO THE PALM FAMILY

I STARTED FIRST GRADE WITH JOHN AT MERIDIAN STREET SCHHOL IN OUR LITTLE TOWN. FROM ALL THE TRIBUTES HERE I WISH I COULD HAVE KNOWN THE MAN HE GREW TO BE!HE SURE PLAYED HAVOC WITH OUR TEACHERS ! HE WAS ALWAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF SOMETHING!IT WAS A PLEASURE TO KNOW YOU MY FRIEND!REST IN PEACE JOHNNY!

Dear Linda, John and Matthew: I am

so sorry to hear the sad news about

John. I am living in Mexico now and

don't get to see many people with whom I once worked. There really is

not enough space here to express my

thoughts, but I wish each of you well and will remember John in my prayers. ¡ HASTA LUEGO, AMIGO!

Jim Carson, from the '60s at 801 West Randolph Street (or as John would say, "the pickle factory")

I WAS A STUDENT (TERRIBLE AT BEST)

OF MR. PALM'S FROM 1964-1968' WHILE AT NILES EAST. I DIDN'T FIND ANY GUIDANCE EXCEPT FROM HIM AND MR. BAUMGARTNER' THEY ENCOURAGED ME TO BE MYSELF, NOT SETTLE FOR BEING CONTENT AND BE CREATIVE. I HAVE LIVED MY LIFE ACCORDING TO MR. PALM'S TEACHINGS, I AM PROUD TO BE THE PERSON THAT I AM AND WISH THAT THIS MAN COULD HAVE REMAINED FAR LONGER THAN HIS SHORT VISIT. I LOOK AT LIFE LIKE A SHORT STORY;MAKING SURE TO WRITE THE BEST ONE POSSIBLE.IT SOUNDS AS IF THE ONE HE WROTE WAS TO BE ADMIRED.

I AM SURE MR. PALM WOULD HAVE WRITTEN FAR MORE, BUT SOMEONE NEEDED

HIM MORE THAN US.

TO EVERYONE WHO NEVER EXPERIENCED

HIM AS A TEACHER AND PROPHET, I AM SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

TO THE REST OF HIS STUDENTS, WERE WE NOT THE LUCKIEST ?

TO NILES EAST WHO DIDN'T GET IT,

WHAT A MISTAKE YOU MADE TO NOT SEE THE LIGHT OF HIS GOALS.

I AM SORRY THAT I NEVER SPOKE TO HIM SINCE, BUT HIS TEACHINGS WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO GUIDE ME FOREVER.

GOOD BYE MR. PALM.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU'

LOVE, HILLARY

AUGUST 15TH' 2002

DEAR JOHN AND MATT,

I AM VERY SORRY TO READ OF THE PASSING OF YOUR FATHER. I HAVE GREAT MEMORIES OF BELDEN STREET AND

THE PARENTS SCHOOL ON HALSTED AND ON CHICAGO AVE.

IT'S KIND OF IRONIC THAT THE PASSING OF SUCH A CARING AND COMPASSIONATE MAN WOULD BRING THESE MEMORIES TO THE SURFACE.

I SPOKE TO MY MOTHER AND SHE EXPRESSED SHOCK AND IMMEDIATLY ASKED ABOUT YOUR MOTHER,AND WISHED THE ENTIRE FAMILY WELL, AS DO I.



DEEPEST CONDOLENCES

THE CROWLEY FAMILY

All of us in the Winefield household are very greatful for the work that John Palm put forth for our father, Harry Winefield. It was not lost on us, how difficult and under appreciated all of your work was. As a family, we never forgot your kindness and humanity.

Godspeed to the entire Palm family.



Marty Winefield, Matt Winefield, Beth Winefield, Adina Winefield

I read the obituary in today's paper and wanted to share that I was one of the students who "Tripped with Palm and Pildes." Your husband/father played a very important role in my life. I learned how important independence is from him. I am now a successful retailer on the North Shore and from time to time remember how wonderful those years at Niles East were. Thank you for letting me share thses memories with you.