1969
George
2023
George Werderich
December 31, 1969 — August 17, 2023
George Werderich
“Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave your friends. Legacy is not leaving something for people, its leaving something in people.” -Orville Wright
George Werderich lived a life of fulfillment and accomplishment. He surrounded himself with people that he loved, going places that he wanted to go, doing things he wanted to do. George was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 28, 1943 to Elizabeth (Johnson) Werderich and Samuel Werderich. Growing up on Orleans Street in Old Town Chicago, George described his upbringing as humble, yet an environment that provided him with the tools to succeed in life. Elizabeth worked hard as a single mother raising George with her family. Living the classic city lifestyle, George forged a special bond with his cousin Bill Mariani. George loved to tell stories about Bill, his friends and their exploits in the neighborhood, especially the fun they had playing baseball.
Graduating from Waller High School (now called Lincoln Park High School), George attended college at the University of Montana and the University of Chicago. George studied Journalism, but his time playing football in college is what he loved best. In 1963 George played football for the University of Chicago club team that ultimately paved the way for the University to restore football to varsity status after the University abolished its historic program in 1939. Playing football at the U of C under the legendary Walter Hass, George was given the tutelage for coaching which would become one of George’s greatest passions.
George’s love of trains drew him to follow in his Cousin Bill’s footsteps working for various railroads in Chicago. Some of these railroads included the Santa Fe and the Monon among others. A railroad story from George was sure to bring a smile to any listener’s face. While he loved the railroad, George found a new passion during this time of his life, aviation. At 22 years of age, in 1965, George was hired by North Central Airlines to fly as a commercial airline pilot. He worked for the same management for the next 37 years as North Central became Republic and ultimately Northwest Airlines. Starting on a DC-3 George flew many different airplanes ultimately receiving a bid to fly the 747 before he retired. Even though his resume as a pilot is second to none (including a stint as Richard Nixon’s personal pilot) his greatest accomplishment as a pilot was meeting an American Airlines flight attendant while waiting for the employee bus. Using his gift of gab, after her first flight as a stewardess, George talked Anita Schaeffer into going out for a “first trip drink.” Anita and George were married within a year and forged a marital bond second to none. Their relationship is a true love story.
Married in 1969, George and Anita moved to Bartlett in 1971 to start their family after their first son was born. George and Anita immediately sunk roots in the community and never moved from that first house they bought. George was known around Bartlett for his efforts as a coach. Coaching brought great joy to George and was a passion throughout his life. George loved coaching football and baseball best. In 1973, George and two friends started the Bartlett Raiders football organization. George organized and coached the Raiders for the next 12 years. This year, the Raiders are celebrating their 50 th anniversary. The seminal coach, George also coached at Elgin High School, Larkin High School, and Tefft Middle School.
Living in Bartlett for 52 years, George and Anita raised their family together having two sons and two daughters. George was a loving husband, father and grandfather. George took great pride in attempting to attend all of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. He had a passion for traveling with his wife and family. The Werderichs have many fun and humorous memories traveling by motorhome together. George also had a big heart for animals often teaching his children unconditional love through the family’s pets. Probably because he was a coach, George and Anita were known around Bartlett as the husband and wife you would always see jogging around town. George’s love for model trains cannot be understated either. He took great pride in his Lionel train collection and operating the train layout he built in his basement. George served on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Division of the Train Collectors Association for over 25 years, serving as the President three times.
Even though he retired as a commercial pilot, George never left aviation. In between his travels, George continued to fly and teach others to fly. He was very proud of the fact that he taught all of his family members how to fly with many of them receiving pilot’s licenses under his instruction. Beyond his family, George taught others as well. It is estimated that well over 100 professional pilots can in some way trace their aviation tutelage back to George Werderich.
George’s love for his dearest wife Anita is one for the ages. Married for over 53 years, their children Bob, Wally, Annette and Margie were all raised by George and Anita in a loving household. George and Anita were inseparable and always on the move. As their children grew up, George and Anita expanded their family love to their children’s spouses as well as their grandchildren. Through their actions, George and Anita exemplified a true friendship through the most loving of bonds.
George passed on August 16, 2023 on the footsteps of Zion National Park, a place he dearly loved. He was doing what he enjoyed, traveling and finishing up a run with his wife in the grandeur of the canyons of Zion. George was with his family.
George Werderich is survived by his wife Anita, nee Schaeffer; his children Robert (Donna), Wally (Belem), Annette Werderich (Greg Bartin) and Margie Werderich; his grandchildren George, Sammy and Anita. His fond cousin Bill (Noreen) Mariani. George was the adored son of the late Elizabeth. Visitation Friday, August 25th, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 950 South Barltett Rd. (at Stearns Rd.) Bartlett, IL. 60103. Funeral Saturday, August 26th, 10:00 am. Burial Bartlett Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in George Werderich’s name to the Three Fires Council, Boy Scouts of America ( https://www.tfcgives.org ); 415 North 2nd Street (Route 31) St. Charles, IL 6017 or to the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, Girl Scouts USA ( https://www.girlscoutsni.org/en/donate/make-a-donation.html#leaders ); 4320 Winfield Rd. Suite 450 Warrenville, IL. 60555-4036
The Werderich family would be humbled and honored if you could share thoughts and memories of George as a living legacy of who he is. They can be shared online here: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/ePsMdvFX#view
“Your story is the greatest legacy that you will leave your friends. Legacy is not leaving something for people, its leaving something in people.” -Orville Wright
George Werderich lived a life of fulfillment and accomplishment. He surrounded himself with people that he loved, going places that he wanted to go, doing things he wanted to do. George was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 28, 1943 to Elizabeth (Johnson) Werderich and Samuel Werderich. Growing up on Orleans Street in Old Town Chicago, George described his upbringing as humble, yet an environment that provided him with the tools to succeed in life. Elizabeth worked hard as a single mother raising George with her family. Living the classic city lifestyle, George forged a special bond with his cousin Bill Mariani. George loved to tell stories about Bill, his friends and their exploits in the neighborhood, especially the fun they had playing baseball.
Graduating from Waller High School (now called Lincoln Park High School), George attended college at the University of Montana and the University of Chicago. George studied Journalism, but his time playing football in college is what he loved best. In 1963 George played football for the University of Chicago club team that ultimately paved the way for the University to restore football to varsity status after the University abolished its historic program in 1939. Playing football at the U of C under the legendary Walter Hass, George was given the tutelage for coaching which would become one of George’s greatest passions.
George’s love of trains drew him to follow in his Cousin Bill’s footsteps working for various railroads in Chicago. Some of these railroads included the Santa Fe and the Monon among others. A railroad story from George was sure to bring a smile to any listener’s face. While he loved the railroad, George found a new passion during this time of his life, aviation. At 22 years of age, in 1965, George was hired by North Central Airlines to fly as a commercial airline pilot. He worked for the same management for the next 37 years as North Central became Republic and ultimately Northwest Airlines. Starting on a DC-3 George flew many different airplanes ultimately receiving a bid to fly the 747 before he retired. Even though his resume as a pilot is second to none (including a stint as Richard Nixon’s personal pilot) his greatest accomplishment as a pilot was meeting an American Airlines flight attendant while waiting for the employee bus. Using his gift of gab, after her first flight as a stewardess, George talked Anita Schaeffer into going out for a “first trip drink.” Anita and George were married within a year and forged a marital bond second to none. Their relationship is a true love story.
Married in 1969, George and Anita moved to Bartlett in 1971 to start their family after their first son was born. George and Anita immediately sunk roots in the community and never moved from that first house they bought. George was known around Bartlett for his efforts as a coach. Coaching brought great joy to George and was a passion throughout his life. George loved coaching football and baseball best. In 1973, George and two friends started the Bartlett Raiders football organization. George organized and coached the Raiders for the next 12 years. This year, the Raiders are celebrating their 50 th anniversary. The seminal coach, George also coached at Elgin High School, Larkin High School, and Tefft Middle School.
Living in Bartlett for 52 years, George and Anita raised their family together having two sons and two daughters. George was a loving husband, father and grandfather. George took great pride in attempting to attend all of his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. He had a passion for traveling with his wife and family. The Werderichs have many fun and humorous memories traveling by motorhome together. George also had a big heart for animals often teaching his children unconditional love through the family’s pets. Probably because he was a coach, George and Anita were known around Bartlett as the husband and wife you would always see jogging around town. George’s love for model trains cannot be understated either. He took great pride in his Lionel train collection and operating the train layout he built in his basement. George served on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Division of the Train Collectors Association for over 25 years, serving as the President three times.
Even though he retired as a commercial pilot, George never left aviation. In between his travels, George continued to fly and teach others to fly. He was very proud of the fact that he taught all of his family members how to fly with many of them receiving pilot’s licenses under his instruction. Beyond his family, George taught others as well. It is estimated that well over 100 professional pilots can in some way trace their aviation tutelage back to George Werderich.
George’s love for his dearest wife Anita is one for the ages. Married for over 53 years, their children Bob, Wally, Annette and Margie were all raised by George and Anita in a loving household. George and Anita were inseparable and always on the move. As their children grew up, George and Anita expanded their family love to their children’s spouses as well as their grandchildren. Through their actions, George and Anita exemplified a true friendship through the most loving of bonds.
George passed on August 16, 2023 on the footsteps of Zion National Park, a place he dearly loved. He was doing what he enjoyed, traveling and finishing up a run with his wife in the grandeur of the canyons of Zion. George was with his family.
George Werderich is survived by his wife Anita, nee Schaeffer; his children Robert (Donna), Wally (Belem), Annette Werderich (Greg Bartin) and Margie Werderich; his grandchildren George, Sammy and Anita. His fond cousin Bill (Noreen) Mariani. George was the adored son of the late Elizabeth. Visitation Friday, August 25th, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory 950 South Barltett Rd. (at Stearns Rd.) Bartlett, IL. 60103. Funeral Saturday, August 26th, 10:00 am. Burial Bartlett Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in George Werderich’s name to the Three Fires Council, Boy Scouts of America ( https://www.tfcgives.org ); 415 North 2nd Street (Route 31) St. Charles, IL 6017 or to the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, Girl Scouts USA ( https://www.girlscoutsni.org/en/donate/make-a-donation.html#leaders ); 4320 Winfield Rd. Suite 450 Warrenville, IL. 60555-4036
The Werderich family would be humbled and honored if you could share thoughts and memories of George as a living legacy of who he is. They can be shared online here: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/ePsMdvFX#view
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George Werderich, please visit our flower store.
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Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, Bartlett
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Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory, Bartlett
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Bartlett Cemetery
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