William Adelman Obituary

Mr. Adelman was my teacher at Morton West HS, Berwyn, IL. He was very nice. I think he was in the John Birch Society, but I am not sure.

Hi, My name is Henry Walli 85 years of age of Schaumburg, Illinois. I am writing about influencial people I have met during my lifetime - I am now at 40. This is only some of what I wrote about Bill. "I met Bill at my UIC job in I believe the 1970s and 80s. Bill was using our Media Support Services and we each had a 6th sense we knew each other from somewhere?" Well that somewhere was when we both had part time jobs at Chicago Cicero Avenue's Montana Charlie's gas station gassing up cars and checking auto oil levels as mandated by our boss Lou. When Bill travelled to Switzerland he visited my second cousin Ernest Walli of Arbon on Lake Constance. "We are alive as long as we are remembered." Bill Adelman, You are very much alive in my memory. If anyone wants to communicate further I am on Facebook.

I attended Morton West (Class of 1966) and still think of Mr. Adelman -- one of the best teachers ever. This intelligent, inspiring man will long be remembered by the many students who were fortunate enough to have him for a teacher.

As a member of the Morton West graduating class of 1963, Mr. Adelman was my third hour history teacher. Because of him, I developed a lifelong quest of searching for the reasons why there is political corruption and low public moral standings. I'm 72 now and still remember him for being such a kind and inspirational teacher who taught me to peacefully organize my life to benefit the good of all. My heart felt love and blessings go out to all his friends and family.

I guess that Bill was the great influence on me and my family. As a family we learned about Haymarket, Pullman and the Martyrs. Taught history and after meeting Bill I had my knowledge broadened to include labor history in general and Chicago's part in it especially. I taught a summer course for gifted students and Bill's participant was a key element in the class as we visited the martyr's at Waldheim and toured Pullman. My family and I miss Bill and I know I will never forget him. I know this is long after his passing but I think it shows he is not forgotten.

One of the few names I remember from the past. He was my teacher.

I am very sad to hear about Bill's unexpected death.
I met him in 1998 when I studied at the UIC in Chicago and I did a lot of tours with him and we had many talks about Haymarket and the German anarchists of Chicago and about Pullman Town. I very much appreciated his profound knowledge of Chicago and American labour history and his lively way of imparting it.
Bill's death is a big loss for the international community of labour history researchers!
Ebbe Kogel Stuttgart/Germany
[email protected]

To the Family of William J. Adelman:
I would like to offer my condolences at this time. May your many precious memories and the comfort that God gives ease your grief during this difficult time. Psalm 37:11 tells us that "the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace."

To Jessica,

Our deepest sympathies ~ to you and your family.

Janet & Robert Singer

He was always helpful and I learned a lot of labor history from him. He had such a great smile. A great cultural asset of Chicago has been lost.

I had the pleasure of meeting Bill when I joined the Board of the Maxwell Street Foundation in 2003. Bill welcomed me as if we had been long standing friends and colleagues.

He was generous with advice and spirit and I enjoyed discussing his youth in Oak Park and Chicago. His insight and reserve nature made him a natural guide thru the City he so loved. I am saddened that a treasure is gone.

To Dave & to Bill's family:

I've just learned of Bill's unexpected passing. I'm so sorry for your loss and for all of us who knew him as a fine person and gentleman. I am a former neighbor (moved away 1996?).

Though I never knew the family well, I knew Bill & Dave, and greatly appreciated Bill's delightful conversation, his professionalism, and his kindness. Dave, you and Bill were good neighbors and were so kind to my husband and me, our children, and my visiting mother-in-law, as well. Dave, you may remember giving the gift of a windvane horse to my son (also named David)- painted gold. He still has that.

The entire block benefited when you loaned us the CD of "The Macarena", for the annual block party. When one teenager & one adult(John)started doing the new, choreographed dance (the Macarena), the entire block spent the evening learning it. The song and dance was new & had just hit the charts (early 1990's). There is nothing that makes people laugh and develop great shared memories than doing silly dances in public!

I will always remember Bill's smile and his kindness. A good person.

Bill will be missed. Again, to Dave Staley & Bill's family, I send my best wishes and my deep condolences. You are in my thoughts.

Kathy Corcos (and our entire family)

I have had Bill's books on Haymarket and Pilsen and Pullman for over 20 years and they and he were a great influence. I got to work with him on a few occasions and found him to be consistently smart, open, engaged and insightful. This is a great loss for Chicago.

Dear Dave I was saddened to read about Bill's death I lost Bob about two years ago, his death came quickley and without suffering. With the help of my many great friends and neighbors I have managed to go on weith my life although it's not been easy.. If I hear from Tom Sullavan, I will tet him know, he;s a hard guy to keepintouch with! Please feel free to give me a call and maybe we can get together for a drink and dinner soon.
Call me at any time at 847 498 5376 or cell 847 707 2245
awith my friendship Wiliam Howard

I was one of Mr. Adelman's students at Morton West High School in the early 60's. He inspired me to love history, inspired me to become a teacher, and taught me about Haymarket! I have great memories about Mr. Adelman as a teacher and a human being.

To Bill's loved ones--I am deeply saddened by Bill's passing. He mentored me as I researched the life of Lucy Parsons in the 1970s. He was generous with his time and knowledge for so many people!

To Jessica and Family,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. I know you will miss him greatly. My sincere condolences to all of you.

Debbie Spaniak

So sorry to hear about Bill's death. I worked with him for close to 20 years at the Chicago Labor Education Program where he was a strong supporter of workers' rights. Bill was a wonderful and favorite teacher, always enchanting his audience. As a colleague, he was great to work with. So sorry I wasn't able to attend his service, but I only heard of his death the night before and I was out of town. My sympathies to David and all the family. Bill will be missed by many, many people in all walks of life.

The following is a poem I wrote for a dear friend of mine for when his father passed away. I share it now with the Adelman families and all of you.

They Who Are Gone...

In everybody's lifetime,
In every single place.
A friend or loved one leaves someone,
& leaves behind a space.

They who are gone,
Have not really left.
They are only waiting,
To be joined by those bereft.

They are in eternal sunshine.
Their pain is never more.
They can, if they like,
With the eagles soar.

So be comforted, all you now,
& know that they who are gone,
Are just waiting for you to come to them
On that hillside, not far beyond.

Written March 4, 2000

Bill Adelman was a mentor to my husband, Larry Spivack, inspiring him to learn more about key labor events in Illinois labor history and sharing those stories with others. Wanting to carry on the valuable tradition Bill started, Larry learned from Bill how to give labor history tours and workshops on labor's contributions to American workers.

Personally I will always remember Bill calling for Larry about some labor history program they were jointly involved in, and I will remember Bill as the loving grandfather to my sweet neighbors down the street, Ben and Jon Adelman. I'm glad I got to see Bill just a few weeks ago at Ben's big event at La Majada. I know he will be missed by many.

Mr. Adelman taught 7th and 8th grade history (1957 and 1958) to me at Jefferson Grammar School in Berwyn. I was among his first students when he began his teaching career in Berwyn. He was a wonderful teacher who brought history alive for us, and we admired him tremendously. The stories of his time in England and his young family were especially interesting to kids like me who had never left the Chicagoland area at that time. I will always remember "Ace" with great fondness, and laugh over the day we students "decorated" his car. My deepest sympathy to his family.

I send my sympathy and thoughts to the Adelman family in this time of sadness. I'd only met Mr. Adelman one or two times but appreciated both times chatting with him. His family can share wonderful thoughts on him, he was gracious and kind to all.

When I was a grad student at UIC, Prof. Adelman was my mentor and gave generously of his time. Always willing to tell labor's story, Bill's passion for history was apparent to all he touched. He built the foundation for the Illinois Labor History Society and contantly refined its architecture. This is a mensch who will be missed.

Peter N. Pero
Chicago Teachers Union

I knew Bill when we were students together at Oak Park River Forest High School - a period whose memories were sharpened by his comments at our 50th reunion in 2001. I was honored that he asked me to present the Miller, Cooke, Wood Theatre scholarships in an award ceremony at the high school last year, and that with thoughtful gesture brought me a record of Gilbert and Sullivan patter songs which he remembered I sang in the operettas back then. Such was his presence that we will all miss.

Jess:
We're thinking of you during this difficult time. Know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you. Call us if you need ANYthing. We'll be there. XO Bill and Rita

I met Mr. Adelman a few times in our various Oak Park capacities but remember him as the beloved grandfather of Jon and Ben who are friends of my son Tyler's. My deepest sympathies to all of you on this loss. You are in my prayers.

I knew Mr. Adelman mostly through his help with the Historical Society's Forest Home Cemetery tours. His knowledge of workers' struggles in Chicago was truly amazing, as was his continuing enthusiasm for their cause.
As today's "powers that be" try to pretend that labor organizing and class struggle are curiosities of the past, Professor Adelman's voice will sorely be missed.

To The Adleman Family:

He will be greatly missed. We worked with Bill for years presenting Classes on Labor Subjects. It is because of him that hundreds of the members of my former Union ( United Retail Workers and the UFCW) learned so much.

He will be missed by many.

Fred Burki International Vice President UFC Retired

I was honored to have had Mr. Adelman as the lecturer at AFSCME's Leadership Summer School in Champaign this past August. I had the honor of sitting with him at our evening meal the night before we heard his lecture and he told us wonderful stories of Ronald Reagan and other politically historical figures. He even introduced the union-based movie we watched that night, Salt of the Earth. He was a proud man and he was knowledgeable of union history. I feel lucky to have met him when I did. He had more energy than I do and he was also a great man to look for for advice and direction. He had lots of resources that he used to help educate us about Unions and AFSCME. He will be missed. I know that there is a huge hole in the Labor Movement that he leaves. I wish his family and all of the union brothers and sister my condolences. I know his shoes will never be filled. God Bless, you Bill Adelman.

I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Bill during the design and construction of the Haymarket Memorial sculpture which the Labor History Society played an enormous role in realizing and I had the honor of being commissioned to make. Bill's gleam and gravitas were invigorating. I am grateful to have known him. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends, Mary Brogger

Bill was a respected board member of the Maxwell Street Foundation, and prior to that, served on the Foundation's Advisory Council. Bill's eloquence and his passion for history were an asset to the Foundation, and his wealth of knowledge about labor history on Chicago's West Side contributed greatly to our mission. Bill enthusiastically volunteered his help with Foundation projects that ranged from conducting research to manning the Foundation's sponsor tent at the annual Chicago Blues Festival.

He will be missed as a valued board member, colleague, and friend.

Lori Grove, President, Maxwell Street Foundation

I am shocked. Mr. Adelman was a major lecturer at the Union Summer Institute at UI I attended this summer. When I returned to ISU, I just raved and raved to everyone about how impressed I was in him as an educator and as a man. He was phenomenal! Dressed every day in sports coat and tie, memory like a steel trap, wonderful lectures incorporating technology, and even personal sharing at meals as he sat at tables with the students making labor history real to us. At graduation, the students gave him a standing ovation when he entered the hall and later when he was acknowledged. Sad. World lost a great educator and a kind man. A huge loss to the Labor Movement at a time when people have forgotten how their rights as workers were obtained. Bill Adelman knew and spent his life preserving that important knowledge. For that, I honor him and his work. My sympathy to his family whom he spoke of fondly with us at meals at UI. Condolences to all.

To the Adelman Family,

We are sending our sympathy and prayers too all of you. I am so sorry to hear of Bill's sudden passing. I am a cousin from Michigan that had lost touch with Bill and his sister Sandy. After reading all the wonderful comments from Bill's family and friends I regret not keeping in touch with he and his family.

Carol and Allyn Faith

Bill will be missed. I am glad he got to meet my son, but I'm sad my son will never get to know Bill.

My condolences to Dave and the rest of his family.

To the Adelman Family,

I am deeply saddened to learn of Bill's sudden death. I worked with Bill in the U of I Labor Extension Program and even had the privilege of doing joint programs with him. He was always incredibly kind and generous to me. He was also one of the best presenters of labor history I have ever seen. He will truly, truly be missed.

Peace,


Pat Simpson
Associate Professor
Loyola University Illinois

To The Adelman Family:

I am deeply sorry to hear about the death of Mr. Adelman. Please accept my condolences.

With caring thoughts,

Nicholas Cooper

Mr. Adelman taught U.S. History at Morton West High School in 1966. I was one of his students. He was always well-dressed! His class featured the immigrant neighborhoods where we, or our families, lived before migrating to the near western suburbs, and related this to the Southern migration to Chicago. He presented to us the importance of Chicago architecture, and most importantly, the U.S. labor movement. He had a profound influence on his students and was a role model for me in choosing a high school teaching career.-Joseph Kerke, Morton West '67

To Margarite and Bill and Elinora, We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your father. Oour prayers are with you .


Gayle McAuliffe (Culver/South School circa 91-99

I am very saddened to hear of the passing of our Dear Friend and Teacher. Mr. Adelman was our 7th & 8th grade teacher at Jefferson School in Berwyn, Over the years we have kept in touch and he has attended many of our class reunions. We will always be thankful for the many things we learned from him and the friendship he brought. He was always so proud of his children and grandchildren and never tired of sharing their accomplishments with us. My deepest sympathy to all.

Diane Laycher Tesinsky
Jefferson Class of 1961
[email protected]

Dear Adelman Family,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time of grief.

Love, Liz, Michael, Bill & Ruthie

I'm thankful to Bill for all the time he spent with me chatting over the back fence as he worked in his yard. I'm mostly appreciative the love and support he showed to my daughter, her husband, and their children....next door neighbors.
Grandmother Kendra

I have such wonderful happy memories of Bill. Bill displayed much knowledge of local history that he shared with me over the fence when he was working on his lawn. I appreciated Bill's friendship, but mostly I was forever grateful to Bill for the love and support he showed my daughter, her husband, and their children...Bill's next door neighbors.
Grandmother Kendra

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. A great shock. We have been neihbors since Bill moved to Highland Ave. Bill was always sharing his vast knowledge of the labor movement and society in general. Sharing time at the anual block party was always special.
Cynthia and Michael Papierniak