In Memoriam: John Pfitsch

Emily,

I just recently heard of John's passing. I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family.

I feel blessed to have had the pleasure to meet you and John. I have been reading all these wonderful memoirs of John and feel like I was able to get to know him even better through other peoples stories. They make me smile, laugh, and even bring tears to my eyes (much like some of John's stories did.)

I always looked forward to my visit to your home, I felt so welcome by you both. I will always remember how the first thing you did when I came back to work after my dad's passing, was give me a big hug. Thank you for that, it was much needed. And know that I am giving you a big virtual hug right now.

I still laugh when I think of how John would greet me when I walked into the dining area, "Where the hell have you been?" At first I felt like I was always late in getting there, but soon learned, that was John.

I pray for you and John, for happiness, comfort, and peace. And one day, when you reunite may he say, "Where the hell have you been?"

Much Love,

Jana Snodgrass, RN (John's home nurse)

I was most fortunate in my student days at Grinnell to have two wonderful mentors and faculty friends, John Pfitsch and Grant Gale. For John I was his basketball and football statistician (perhaps his first one at Grinnell), occasionally traveling with the teams to games away from home, where an additional duty was mixing up the dreadful energy drink that he made the athletes drank at halftime. When we had a little time to spare, we played ping-pong. I think he never forgave me, the non-athlete, for beating him at this one game that I did fairly well. He rewarded me by giving me my only B in four years at Grinnell, in his PhysEd class! I protested that I had attended all the classes, had given it my all, and couldn't help it if I was not sufficiently physically endowed to be on a varsity team. He said his grading rule for PhysEd was that only varsity athletes received A, and I should be happy that I got a B, since he didn't give many of those either!

Dear Emily and family,

I am a good friend of Bob Musser's who imparted the news about John's passing just before we left for a two weeks vacation.  I played baseball and basketball (one year) for John and absolutely loved the man for his fairness, quick wit, mental toughness and his overwhelming dedication to Grinnell and the student athletes who attended the college.  My sympathies are with you.  Sorry I am a bit late in replying to you but I am sure you have thousands of messages to get through.  Bless you.

Dick Mittelbusher '62

When I arrived at Grinnell in the fall of 1950 the men’s athletic staff consisted of John assisting Hank Brown in football and as head coach in basketball and tennis. EG Booth was in charge of track and the runners and assisted in football and basketball. Wayne Cooley, latter elected to Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame was in charge of freshman sports. Then Hank became Dean of Men and John head football coach.

As a football coach John use adopt the orthodox approach. For example; we opened a season at Coe. Coach Pfitsch came up with a brilliant plan to score on the kickoff. All 11 players would pretend to have the ball. We received, Don Hager caught the ball, and 10 of us gathered around Don and pretended to have the ball and ran in different directions. Don had the ball and was tackled immediately. The coach had us playing 3 different offensives; T-Formation, Single Wing and Double Wing. The other team scouts may have had trouble recording our plays but it didn’t matter. The summary would read “not a very good team”. They were right but we did okay in my senior season when we went with just the T-Formatrion.

After graduation, Pat and I had opportunities to visit with John & Emily. At reunions they hosted get-togethers or were the chosen faculty guests joining us for dinners. We were also lucky enough to be on the trip to Italy that Jerry Lalonde mentioned and joined in the search for John.

For many of us from the Grinnell 50s John and Emily Pfitsch were the faces of the college. I‘m sure it is true for other decades.

Wally Stevens 54

Pat Stevens 56

My thoughts are with you.  I transcribed most of the audio tapes John did for his book.  I was always amazed at the knowlege he carried over the years and how he never forgot anyones name or the minute details of every event.  When we discussed progress on the tapes he would always recap the entire tape and add a few extra stories along the way.  It made for many hours of humerous entertainment.

He will be missed!

Imagine this... the year is 1977, you are an 18-year old kid fresh off the plane from London, all Cockney accent, shaggy head and platform shoes. This older student turns to you in registration line (Ed Groody, do you remember this?):

"Where are you from?"

"London".

"Wow. Do you play soccer?"

"Do you mean 'football'? Of course!"

"Well you have to come out for the team!"

And that was how I met John Pfitsch. I never told him I had never really played on a competitive team before (all we did was play anywhere, with anything resembling a ball that we could find). Fast forward to the end of season… they’re handing out the awards and Coach goes through all the JV squad names. I’m waiting for my name to be called and thinking “he forgot me”, only to be surprised by inclusion in the varsity squad.

Twenty years later, back for a reunion, and Coach took one look at me and said, “Charlie Bloomfield, how the hell are you?” What a memory he had.

Coach, your soccer team became a home away from home. Your fairness, empathy, humor, persistence and accessibility helped shape me as a person, soccer coach, and professional. Thank you – I will never forgot you.

Dear Emily:

You may recall me...but you may not have heard my story about your husband when I was at Grinnell (1961-64). I was a transfer student, and -despite being a co-capt of the wrestling team and a returning conference champion my senior year (as well as a soccer player in my sophomore and junior years) - I was informed early in my senior year that I lacked the physical education credits that I needed to graduate. Wow !!! So, I approached John (if I speak familiarly, it's because you and John and Ed Bauers also knew my daughter, Heidi Van Horne, a women's soccer team player - and 1999 graduate, now married to a 1999 Grinnell classmate David Lukowski), and presented my problem. I was outraged that I could have spent so much time in varsity sports at the college only to be told that I lacked "the physical education credits" to graduate. Surely you jest I thought. So, I spoke to him about the dilemma.. He said.."let's do this...if you can win one point from me in a badminton match, I will approve your P.E. requirement. My thought at the moment was simple - I was NOT a poor badminton player - I was a very decent athlelete - I will absolutely kick his your you know what... Well suffice it to say that when the score was 20-0 he allowed me to win one point. It was beyond pathetic. His parting words..."Congrats Will, you just passsed the physical education requirement..." What a guy !!!

There are so many memories of the man who hired Evelyn and I in 1980.  

There was  lot of wisdom in this man.  We had many talks over the years about athletics, but mostly about things more important.  He was a people person, always interested in finding out about someone. Intuitive in a way that was uncommon, he usually knew right away what you stood for.  I often found myself on the listening end (like most:)), but the truth is, I really listened to him. I knew that he knew what mattered.  Wins and losses come and go,  but the process is where the learning and growing occur.  "It's all about the people, son." He said that to me more than a few times over the years.  He was an authentic, honest, caring person. 

I arrived in Grinnell in the summer of 1980 a green kid scared silly of giving up my athletic career to become a coach, something I knew little about. He and Emily called me "Hotdog".  I'd been a successful D1 athlete, and he found out early that I had plenty to learn about this place and the things that really mattered.  Thirty-two years later we are still here.  It's the only job I've ever had. How fortunate to find this place,  and to have had John Pfitsch as a mentor and friend along the way. 

I'm so glad we had a hour with him just three days before his passing. I told him then that when it's all said and done the only things that really matter are friends and family.  He was certainly blessed with both.  It was a life well-lived. 

Our thoughts are with Emily and all of the Pfitsch family.

In 1980 my husband Will Freeman and I were going through the interview process as candidates for the track & field, cross country and assistant football coaches positions at  Grinnell.  During our initial phone interview, he initially talked briefly to Will and then asked to talk to me.  Needless to say it was a long and thorough conversation.  Shortly thereafter we were brought to the Grinnell campus for personal interviews.  At the end of the first day we wound up at John and Emily's house for a social gathering with the rest of the department members.  John enthusistically greeted us at their front door, escorted me inside and immediately began conversation, leaving poor Will standing alone on  the front porch.  We still chuckle about it.  John had much to say and we honed our listening skills. 

As recently retired Division I athletes new to the coaching realm, John was our mentor, sharing his stories, his coaching experiences and his philosophy.  He taught us things we didn't know we were in need of learning.  He enlightened us on all there is to appreciate about Grinnell College.  John gave so much, to so many, for so long. 

He was young at heart and we thought John would be with us forever.  Even though John has physically departed from us, we can still feel his touch within our hearts. 

John, be happy, be at peace and as you always reminded us, "Keep your knees bent".

Evelyn Freeman

Coach Pfitsch was truly an original in many ways.  I was lucky enough to play baseball for him in the Spring of my freshman year.  As a coach, he was ahead of his time in preaching the importance of taking a proper mental approach to the game--  "Men, you need to visualize yourself hitting the baseball, throwing strikes, etc."  Unfortunately our team (me included) had a tough time executing the physical part.  Coach's other memorable quality was the direct and blunt manner in which he addressed people.   I visited the college approximately five (5) years after graduating and  remember making a special point of visiting him at his office only to hear him say to me in a slightly  unapologetic tone, "I have no idea who the hell you are?!!"   It humbled me then and still humbles me (and make me laugh) to this day.   

 I would estimate conservatively that at least a third of my many fond memories of my years at Grinnell (1960-1964) involve John Pfitsch. He was my academic advisor till I declared a major, my freshman football coach, and in his way a guru for life. He was peppery, full of energy, intellectually curious, and never at a loss for words. I loved talking with him, and that's saying something because he once told me that I "talked too much and didn't think enough." At another time he said that my problem with football was that I had "lots of desire but almost no ability." But, as everyone who knew him knows, he had a way of saying stuff like that that just made you like him even more. A friend for all my years at the college, he touched I have no idea how many generations of Grinnell students in his tenure there. If a fair measure of greatness is the positive impact a person has on other people, then Coach Pfitsch was a very great man, indeed.

My best to his family and many, many friends.

Bill Siebenschuh,'64

Dear Emily and family,

I came to know you both when I came back to Grinnell to teach for 3 years in the early 90's.  I started taking water aeorobics in the morning and John quickly befriended me.  The Gulf War was imminent and when John found out I was teaching American Studies he practically hauled me out of the pool and demanded to know what I was going to teach the students about War, and he proceeded to tell me his story about WWII, finding makeshift concentration camps, liberating small villages... I told him he had to come to my class and talk and so he did once a sememster.  He made sure I re-met my professors now colleagues and he (along with you, Emily at Sit 'N Knit) helped me feel at home again.

My love to you all.  Hanna Griff-Sleven

Coach Pfitsch,  was an important positive influence and role model  in our Grineell lives and beyond.  He will be always remembered.

Have a nice trip Coach, your legacy will be long-lived

Emmanuel

Mr. Pfitch was an upbeat, fun, coach, who I enjoyed during my time attending Grinnell.  I wish more people were like him.  He was a great asset to the colllege, and I am sure we will all miss him. 

He was always willing to talk and to listen.  He ran me ragged playing badminton in the gym.  I learned a lot about history and geography from him just by osmosis.  I also learned what mature responsibility was all about.  He got me interested in the Wisconsin uplands and encouraged my commitment to the environment.  I always felt welcomed back by him.

I ran track during Coach Pfitsch's two years as interim track coach in 1977 and '78. At the time we didn't always see eye to eye, even though he was always funny and engaging. Track, and especially distance/mid-distance running, was not his area of expertise. Nevertheless, as the years and now decades have passed I realized the genius of his methods, be they one-lined zingers or a 90 minute lecture on not being "half-assed out there."

I'll never forget the time he wrote up one of legendary miler Jim Ryun's workouts on the chalkboard: 2X 880 (1:52-1:56); 660 (1:21); 2X 400 (55-57); 2X 200 (22-24). These were all times that none of us could approach in our wildest dreams (not even for a single repetition, forget about an entire workout) but Coach Pfitsch prodded and cajoled us to be better than our self-imposed limitations.

Although I did not excel those two years, far from it, and twice took dead last at the Midwest Conference outdoor meet, I kept at it and improved to make All Conference my senior year. But didn't stop there and kept going and improving as a runner through my 20s into my 30s. You'd think that would be enough but I still haven't stopped, and continue as a masters athlete and now coach. All these decades later I attibute much of this drive to Coach Pfitsch and his unique way of getting into your head.

Finally, one of my great Grinnell memories was during my last week on campus. I was a mid-year grad and was at the then College Pub with some friends and Coach Pfitsch happened to be there, something I never recalled before that day. Was this by chance or did one of my friends alert him? Who knows, but he sat down with us for an hour or more and we talked about our shared time at Grinnell and the future.

Thanks Coach Pfitsch, you were one of a kind and it was an honor to know you.

I was very sad to get the news about John Pfitsch.  I offer Emily and the rest of his family my deepest condolences...a Grinnell icon will no longer be there when I return to campus again.  His absence at the recent reunion's Honor G Banquet was clearly evident and we subsequently learned that he was in the hospital.  It was the first time that I returned to campus without talking with him.

John never coached me in Cross Country or Track since I competed all four years under the incredible Killer (Coach Richard Young).  However, I will never forget John.  In my freshman year I managed to get 19 skaters together to play some hockey on the tiny rink next to the library (when we could get it to ourselves).   John was Athletic Director during my sophomore year when I wanted to form an official Ice Hockey Club.  Maybe it was my success as a runner that helped convince John that I might succeed.  He agreed to invest in equipment for us and also built a usable outdoor rink for us.   Irv Simone became our official club advisor.  During my sophomore and junior years we played games with a club in Des Moines and also with Coe and Ripon colleges.  I think the team continued the next year while I was in Costa Rica but too many had graduated when I returned for my senior year.  I will forever be grateful to John for his faith in me and the support he gave us.

It is fair to say Grinnell College will never experience another John Pfitsch who successfully coached so many different teams and was a friend to all.  That man could tell stories all day long if given the chance.  I will miss him!

My twin brother Bob and played for John,1955-58. Sadly, Bob is not here to share his memories and appreciation of John. This simple truth is that John Pfitisch was an original. No one I have ever known combined his warmth, positive attitude, energy, lack of pretense, and, you guessed it, loquaciousness in the same fashion as he. I could tell stories forever. Here's a good one: on a basketball trip, John had Bob and me ride with him and asked us a question about the history of Elizabethan England (Bob and I were history majors). When we stumbled on the answer, he berated us for not getting anything out of our education. Years later Al Jones told me that occasionally John would telephone him to ask some information on history because he was going on a baskeball trip. OK, here's another: when I was in graduate school at the Universiy of Wisconsin, the basketball team came through on the way to play Lawrence and Ripon. This is time they were in a bus and I was able to hitch a ride and see the games. It tuned out that Joe Wall, one of the great teachers at Grinnell and the person who inspired me to become a history professor, was making the trip. I later learned that this was one of John's techniques for getting the faculty to support intercollegiate athletics (not that Joe Wall would have ever opposed them). I will always remember the sight of Joe Wall, distinguished prize-winning scholar, master teacher, pouring orange juice for the team at the halftime of the Ripon game. These are just a couple of examples of how John embarced and expressed the academic and sports values of a great school.

My coldolences and sympathies to Emily, Jack, Connie, Bill and the entire Pfitsch family.

When I heard of John's passing, I wept.

George McJimsey '58

John Pfitsch recognized me as a student who had no sports, and he worked with me from there.

By the time of my Grinnell B.A., my liberal education included three life sports, but it did not end there.

Because of John's wise counsel, many like me have continued to add life sports for every age and season.

He will be missed, and his teachings should always be part of the Grinnell experience.

I have known the Pfitsch family for years prior to my attending Grinnell College.  The DeLong family, also living in Grinnell, mixed with the Pfitsch's at many town functions. Emily is a dear and John I knew as a coach, golfing friend at the Grinnell Country Club.

When I was in Texas, the Pfitsch family passed me on the highway, we noticed each other, stopped and visited. Pflugernille I think is where John was going or coming from.

I consider John as a friend, a  veteran serving our country, and a great BB coach, permitting me in to score the winning basket against St Olaf.

John's memory will live with me. A nice feeling and friend.

Dave DeLong

John Pfitsch:

My Coach; My Mentor; My Storyteller; My Moral Compass; but most of all, my Friend.  Thank you for the memories. He did say to me that he was blessed being hired by Grinnell and having the opportunity to do the things he loved to do.  But, it was Grinnell and all of us that knew him that were blessed.  His spirit even in his passing burns bright.  

HE WAS AND IS GRINNELL. 

Emily, my sincere condolences to you and the family.

I was very saddended to hear the news about coach P. I have some great memories of he, Edd Bowers and Dr. C from biology. it seem the old guard is going and we need new leaders. All of these men  gave a lot to the college. I could go on and on but I won't,  John has gone on to a pleasant place and my wishes for his family are strong. You ran a good race, hail to the victors and those who fought the fight, go with honor old friend, HONOR G.

JOHN "Bolo" LAWSON 67

John was my GC baseball coach for one season in the 70's, and I can still see him in my mind's eye lecturing the whole team in old Darby gym about life's lessons!  It wasn't even about baseball, but as all who knew him know, he could pontificate on just about anything.   His teachings were enduring, well-intentioned and heartfelt.   He was a wonderful ambassador for Grinnell College!

I was saddened to hear that my long-time friend and former coach had passed away on June 15.   Our day to day lives and responsibilities oftentimes takes us far from our former friends from other eras, but that doesn't diminish our love or respect for them.  Throughout the years whenever I heard from Coach it would bring me great joy.  In April of this year I deliberated long and hard as to whether I should send him an email showing a picture of the nice Championship ring that the Mavericks had recently delivered to me.

I sensed that he would enjoy seeing it, as I recalled the enjoyable time that we had together when he visited me at my Dallas office during my NBA years.....Sure enough, a few days later, on  April 17, I received the warmest of replies from Coach, and now less than two months later he has passed. Coach will be missed by the hundreds who he influenced positively throughout his long and effective mentoring and coaching career.

Norm Sonju, Class of 1960

The comments being made certainly define Coach's legacy.  His philosophical arsenal would humble Dr. Phil.  I attended Grinnell from 1961 to 1965 and played basketball and baseball for John who was far more than a coach as he became a mentor and example of how to treat people and prioratize life's blessings and challenges. His energy and passion for life impacted mine, for which I am grateful. His warmth will be remembered, his humor lasting, and his friendship cherished.  God bless Emily(a very special lady) and the entire Phitsch family.

As a freshman in 1975, I, along with a recently returned from a study abroad programme senior, Greg Ahman, decided that to be properly cultured, we should read The New Yorker and take up squash (a game my father, an graduate of YALE  Law School often played)

We were the only two to sign up for Squash. In our first day of class, We are standing in the cavernous court, racket in hand, already feeling clumsy, even before swinging at a ball. John Pfitsch comes in, introduces himself with a hearty handshake and big smile, looks at us both and says, foremost rule in Squash is good eye protection so you don't end up like me, and points to one of his eyes, which we then realize is made of glass!

That image of his ironic smile and fatherly concern still come to mind anytime I hear about squash.  He will certainly live on in my memories of Grinnell. 

Truly Grinnell has lost a most special individual.  The lessons learned in the classroom were invariably fleeting, the ones learned on the field of play under Coach Pfitsch's guidance have lasted a lifetime.  I am grateful for the time he took to teach me far more than just how to hit a tennis ball. 

I worked as a lifeguard during my time at Grinnell, and the best thing about the early morning shifts was Coach Pfitsch. He would come to the pool to direct the town water aerobics class, "Pfitsch's Fishes," and would hang out at the lifeguard stand, regaling me with stories. Because of him, I developed a greater appreciation of the history of college sports, Grinnell College, and the social issues of WW2. One of the most amazing things about Grinnell is the loyalty it engenders in students and staff... Coach Pfitsch embodied that loyalty.  He was always there for the students, proud of our accomplishments and understanding of our setbacks.  Coach Pfitsch continued to be one of the best teachers at Grinnell, long after he retired. I will always treasure our early morning talks.

Dear Coach, 

I still visualize my goals, just like you tought me.

-Nick Johnson

I met John Pfitsch when I was a lifeguard at the pool in the PEC in 2004. I would guard for the water aerobics class at 6 am, and John would routinely chat with me. He had the best stories and was just so very warm and welcoming. I was so sad to hear of his passing. John Pfitsch exemplies the kind of incredible person who made my experience at Grinnell truly memorable. I feel lucky to have met him, and spent some early mornings at the pool chatting with a man with so much positivity and perspective, and so much love for his family and the Grinnell community.

Any chance that the memorial service Saturday will be streamed online, or skyped? A number of relatives and other interested parties would appreciate it. Thanks

Editor's note: The service will be livestreamed. Information about how to view it is now available at John Pfitsch Memorial Service.

I was introduced to John my first week on campus in 1977 by my parents Hal ('51) and Donna ('53).  

Weighing 150 pounds, dripping wet, I was thinking of joining the soccer team.  Unaware that the soccer team was such a powerhouse, I approached Coach about the prospects of joining the team.  He asked if I had played in high school and I told him no, but I had run cross country and wrestled.  In a very matter of fact tone he said, "Well, we have a pretty good soccer team here and I don't know that you would make the team.  You should look at playing football."  Later that year, while running (very slow) laps in the PEC, he saw me from across the way and yelled to me "Gregg, you run like a wrestler" and proceeded to tell me what I was doing wrong.

I never competed on one of his teams or had him for a class but he was, and will always be, one of my fondest memories of Grinnell.  Emily and Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I had the good fortune to meet Coach Pfitsch as a prospective student, trying to choose between a few of my final college choices. He saw me and my parents wandering around the PEC and in his warm, informal way, grabbed me by the arm and led me on a tour all the while promoting the virtues of Grinnell.  He was my first year track coach, filling in before Coach Pankey and then (and now!) Coach Freeman took the lead.  Coach Pfitsch was challenging, funny, a life philosopher, someone you wanted to be around.  He took a very small track team and helped form the nucleus of a tight team that hung together for 4 years, each year adding more dedicated team members.  He affected many, in both profound and subtle ways.  He'll truly be missed.  God Speed, John Pfitsch.  So glad I knew you.

Coming from a strong Grinnell tradition with the college, I arrived on campus in 1952 with the hope of being a Pioneer athlete.  John Pfitch was my coach and adversary.  He tried to break my determination and finally realized he couldn't.  At the graduation Honor G breakfast he paid me a tribute that was beyond belief.  John had become a friend and was truly my lasting connection with the college.  MY heartfelt best to Emily.  You were a great team and affected so many lives.  Nobody could ask for anything more from life.  Fritz Goreham '56

It was with real sadness that I read the news that The Grinnell "Snow-Bird" was no longer going to be flying south anymore to winter in South Texas and play lots of golf.  Losing Coach Pfitsch from the Grinnell College campus  is truly a significant loss in heritage and culture spanning decades of continual change at the "Harvard of the Midwest." I join with the new President in passing my condolences on to his family.

The loquacious orator who sat on the sideline with towel stuffed into his mouth during basketball games as to not draw the ire of the officials, always had a  word or two to say to anyone who would listen.  The truth is that I was often a target of his comments about the world, and I enjoyed them the more I learned about the background of the man.  Being a fellow Texan for the last 34 years, I understand even better wherein he was coming from in his thoughts. 

While he never coached my in swimming or basketball, he did coach me in football and soccer during successful seasons.  We were successful because he made it fun to really learn about the sport. He not only coached us, he told us everything he knew that might pertain to the situation, often his comments seemed to come in from left field.  In fact, one day out of the blue he said I ought to play basketball, and got me a job playing for the Portuguese Railroad after I graduated!  I never knew he had connections from coaching overseas for many years.  It was an experience I never would have had with out Dr. Pfitsch's help.

But once you got to know this fine gentleman, you got it!  He cared about people and loved to talk to them.  He reminded me a lot of my Dad.  The fact that he is now gone, along with my Father, means that I must be getting old.  John had a long wonderful life and will be missed by all who have been informed of his passing.  I hope God is a good listener cause John certainly has a few tales to tell him about all of us!

John Pfitch: The College Recruiter

The College during the Presidency of Samuel Stevens in the early 1950's had difficulty attracting and keeping students. As a result, it was experiencing financial difficulties. Al Jones' Pioneering book provides some information about this bleak period.

Pfitsch, as I recall his telling, was assigned by Stevens in one or more of those summers to get in his car and go prospecting for new students, not just prospective student-athletes, but anyone who could come and pay tuition. For each recuit who enrolled, the College paid John a commision of a $100 or so.

I invite anyone with a better recollection of the details of this special assignment for John to provide corrections and amplification. 

Sad to hear about John.  I met him December 1972.  In January 1973, I was playing basketball in Luanda, Angola!  Thank you, thank you, John!  What a great, genuine, fun guy! He rocks! Ken Grabinski

I grew up in Grinnell and knew John, Emily, and family well. Mom and dad both graduated from Grinnell in 1931. My brother Dave played basketball for John and graduated in about 1960. My oldest brother, sister, and I all went to Midwest Conference schools (Carleton, Lawrence, and Cornell). Obviously, we all loved the small college environment. It was great to visit with John and Emily several months ago at their home. I had not talked with them for several years. My daughter Catherine was with me. She was quite taken with John's stories and Emily's warmth. My best to Emily and family.

In 1949 my husband, E.G. Booth, was a newly appointed faculty member and alumni at Grinnell College and I was a convert to Iowa from the inner city of Philadelphia.  We had been married a week before, and E.G. had rented an apartment.  I had secured a teaching job (Old Parker School) and E.G. was to coach and teach. 

As we drove into town, the first Grinnellian we saw was a professor (who shall remain nameless) mowing his lawn with a Phi Beta Kappa key swinging from a belt loop on his shorts.  I wondered what I was getting into!  Then the first person to whom I was introduced was John Pfitsch.  Then I really wondered waht I was getting into.  But it didn't take long before John and Emily introduced me to their friends and it was the beginning of a lasting friendship.  Their enthusiasm for Grinnell College, for college and town activities, and for all things Iowa helped a great deal to make the conversion an easy and wonderful experience.

Among many learnings I soon realized the color red is usually called scarlet, that "Sons of Old Grinnell" could be quickly learned ("Daughters of Old Grinnell" hadn't yet been written) and that shopping, walking around town, and greeting friends were easily accomplished.  John and Emily Pfitsch were mentors, helpers and good friends.  Another learning was the experience of "paying it forward!"  We had our first three children while in Grinnell and again the Pfitschs and other colleagues were supportive and helpful.  I knew very soon that my place was here, in Iowa.

John Pfitsch leaves with us many wonderful memories.  And an important friendship.  yes, he gave me a hard time when I called the new athletic facility a GYM, but I quickly forgave him.  We honor his memory, send much caring and sympathy to his family, and count our Grinnell days as meaningful and very special. 

Most sincerely,

Carol Booth

"be flexible"

"it's hell out there men"

Coach pfitsch has a lot of maxims about life that he would throw out, but those were always my two favorites.

Whether it was in one of his classes, on the baseball field, in a van on a 20 hour road trip to ranger texas, or just listening to any of his stories, i have nothing but great memories of my time spent with john.

He was one of the good ones.. and will be missed by everyone who knew him

Some things are never supposed to end.  I knew that someday Grinnell would exist without John Pfitsch, but it seemed so far away, inconceivable, not worthy of thought.  But we are here.

So many have written, so many memories, so many kind words.  They can only begin to touch on what John was to all of us.  My relationship with John was a simple one.  I was a child, and he gave me the chance to grow and learn and become everything I am today.  I coach because he coached.  I try to coach the way he coached.  I am no longer a child.  His gift to me, to so many of us, the chance to become adults, will live on and on and on.  Thank you, Coach.

Dearest Emily, may you find strength in the thousands of us who love the two of you, who try to honor John's memory in the lives we live, and who will treasure every remembered story.

John never let me forget that, like me, he had been raised Lutheran. It showed. Though a great story teller, he fully complied with the 8th Commandment--the one about not bearing false witness. Amazing.

Not only were his tales true (as far as I know, anyway), but he lived up to Luther's injunction based on the commandment--besides not lying, we are to always explain our neighbor's actions in the "kindest and most generous way." In all of his stories, he never portrayed an evil character. John seemed to genuinely like everyone, which is why so many of us will genuinely miss him.

John was a very special man, as so many have shared. I had the privilege of working with John over the past several years on various projects in the development and alumni relations office. During that time he shared many stories with me, which I will never forget. I will miss his visits to my office, the raids on my candy dish, and our discussions about religion, family and life. I am so thankful to have had those opportunities. My sincere condolences to Emily and the Pfitsch family.

I really thought that John was invincible and would live forever.  Although he is no longer physically here, his spirit lives on in all the lives he touched.  Mine was one of them.

Our family and the Pfitsch family have been close friends for over 50 years. I started swimming competitively as an 11 year old and was a member of the first ever Grinnell high school swim team. John was always so encouraging and positive, that he really made me feel I could do anything.  It was such an honor, many years later, when he would arrive to cheer on my sons Cyrus '11 and Eric '14 at their Grinnell college swim meets.

John also weighed in on my love life and gave me some excellent advice over the years, in addition to interviewing and entertaining/terrifying prospective boyfriends.  He especially approved of my husband of nearly 25 years, Bomi Mistry, '84 since he was not only a Grinnell grad, but was born in India, as of course was John.

John also instilled in us a sense of adventure and fearlessness, teaching us how to do things like move a canoe across the water with no paddles and a person standing on either end of the canoe.  I can't say that I have used this skill often but it was amazing!

John leaves behind an incredible and loving family.  They were lucky to have him and he was lucky to have them.  Love and Blessings,  Louise Erickson Mistry, Bomi, Cy and Eric Mistry

Coach John Pfitsch: "Never at a Loss for Words"

John Pfitsch was my baseball coach at the College, 1958-1960. Although I was a mediocre player, I received a freshman numeral and letters in the sport my sophomore and junior years.

When I returned to Grinnell for my 10th reunion in 1971, I attended the Honor G lunch at the Country Club. John, of course, was regaling everyone with stories about everything. He said, "Krohnke, if you were on today's team, you would be Mickey Mantle." He had not erroneously forgotten my limited baseball ability. Instead, it was a comment about the poor ability of the current players. Sorry for those of you who played in the early '70's.

In the Fall of 1958, my sophomore year, I managed to last a season on the College football squad. At 5'10" and 165 pounds, I was not tall enough, big enough, strong enough, fast enough to do anything. I played on the kickoff teams and sat on the bench.

After winning one game, losing four and tying two that year, we went to Cedar Rapids for the final game of the season against undefeated Coe College.  To the surprise of everyone, Grinnell beat Coe, 21 to 6, ending the Kohawks' 11-game winning streak over two seasons. Grinnell had 295 total offensive yards to Coe's 184, and Coe never entered Grinnell's end of the field during the second half. Our three touchdowns were scored by End Lee Moses, '59 on a pass from Quarterback/Tailback John Copeland, '59; by my classmate, Fullback Jim Lowry, '61 on a four-yard run; and by Copeland on a 22-yard run.

That season Copeland, at 5'6" and 145 pounds set a new College record for total offensive yards at 1,184. He also was a co-captain of the basketball team that winter and now is in the College Athletic Hall of Fame. My small-size excuse is not valid. I just was not good enough.

In the Spring of 1982 I returned to the College for one semester as a Visiting Instructor in Political Science. Coach Pfitsch and I had many conversations during those months, mostly one-sided speeches by John for my listening.

On one of those occasions, John was talking about the "golden era" of Grinnell athletics when we won conference championships in football, basketball, tennis, cross country, track and swimming. I reminded him that there were some athletic successes in my student days, just before the "golden era," especially the victory over the undefeated Coe football team in 1958. Pfitsch immediately responded with an almost play-by-play account of the game when we used the "A" formation on offense, an idea Pfitsch and Coach "Pete" Peterson had picked up at a clinic from a New York Giant professional football coach.

Garrulous John was never at a loss for words. And it was not just athletics that interested him. Politics, economics and what his former students were doing in life were at the front and center of his concerns.

Especially after you had finished your student years, whenever you returned to Grinnell and saw John you usually would see wonderful Emily. With her warm, pleasant smile and serene manner, she shared his interest in what you were doing and the current events of the day. They both brought a smile to your face. How blessed I am to have known John and Emily and shared good times with them. I look forward to seeing Emily again.

I met coach when I arrived at Grinnell for pre-season.  He had very little knowledge about me, other than the fact that I was coming to try out.  I realized just today that he was really the first faculty member I met on campus, and, strangely enough, as I unpacked a box of photo albums today, I came across pictures of him at the Honor G banquet and graduation.  I saw him on my way into college (nervous and unsure) and heading out of college (relieved and unsure).  The time in between was memorable, partly due to Coach and Emily.  Their limitless capacity to take in wave after wave of student-athletes and members of the community has set a standard for all of us to try to match.

As a four year soccer player for Coach, I got to see him in all sorts of situations.  Some are a bit too....colorful....for this venue, but they all paint the same picture of him as all the other posts have - genuine, warm, funny, and lucky.  I threw the last one in there as I remember watching him walking the soccer field during our drills.  While he was always watching one part of practice, we had several things going on at the same time.  Balls would fly everywhere, and yet, they NEVER hit him.  We would be shooting, and Coach would walk right in front of us or behind the goal....nothing hit him.  In four years, I never even saw him flinch, let alone get hit or even step aside to avoid a ball.

Mostly, though, I remember his story-telling.  No matter the situation, he had a story.  Now, I would be lying if I said I always understood the connection between the story and my situation, but he would always have me laughing.  Coach led an amazing life, touched countless lives and left this Earth a better place for his being here. 

Emily is a saint for putting up with his shenanigans, but she was right there with him all the time.  In this time of reflection, grief and the joy of memories, my thoughts are with her and the rest of Coach's family.  Thank you for sharing him with the rest of us.  I am a better person for having had him be such an integral part of my time in Grinnell.

 With my husband, a French professor, I moved to Grinnell in 1961.  We both were very fond of John.  Of the many stories I could tell, in the interest of brevity, I stick to two.  One winter, we visited John and Emily in Rockport and went kite flying on the beach.  I was embarrassed about my lack of skill, butJohn was undaunted and very patiently showed me what to do--and I loved it.  Years later, as I was preparing for ordination and after ordination, whenever I was in sight, I heard the call "Here comes the bishop!"  I loved his teasing.  He was a fascinating person--and a good one.  I miss him and Victor does too.

 John Pftsch was my good buddy when I was statistician for the basketball team my junior & senior years at Grinnell--way back in 1956-57.  It was great to see him when we came for reunions on campus, but the best was when he visited my ranch in South Texas, and of course, said all the right things guys say to each other about boy toys.

A great guy, a great coach--one of a kind.  Thanks Pftsch, for so many great memories.

Your buddy, David Quimby Day

The strength of Grinnell has always been the quality of the faculty members and their individual relationships with the students.  As the record holding basketball bench warmer on John's first teams, I know that John belongs on the list of top Grinnell faculty.

He remained childlike (not childish) all his life, understood and reacted to people as individuals, had the ability to laugh at himself, and did not have a mean bone in his body.  He was the type of person that we all hope we have or will become.  For many years I thought his only flaw was his inability to appreciate my basketball ability, but maybe he was right.  And so what.

Now for a few Pfitsch tales.  John obtained Phil Jackson's permission to attend a Bull's practice.  He was disappointed that Jackson never emphasized visualizing or bending your knees.  Riding with John to an away game was a thrilling experience:  John believed in eye to eye contact when he talked and he preferred to talk to people in the back seat!  On a trip back from a game in Wisconsin he figured he had enough gas to get to Darby.  Five miles from Darby he found out he was wrong.

John was a remarkable person, with a great family and a terrific wife.

I had the pleasure of playing soccer and baseball for Coach Pfitsch in the mid 70's.  I spoke to him just a couple of years ago, and I said these words that were so true - "the older I get, the smarter you were!"  Coach Pfitsch had such a positive influence on me, and he was able to do it in such a clever and subtle way that I didn't even realize it when it was happening.  That was part of his art as a teacher and coach!

We laughed about the old days - the battles we had, how crazy and intense I was playing for him, particularly in an era where that was so politically incorrect.  But he was so kind and gracious in his his memory.  And at the age of 90, he was able to recall so many crisp and accurate details about game situations and incidents from his first year of coaching soccer in 1974, over thirty years prior.  It takes a special kind of coach and man to care that much.  that was John Pfitsch.

I have so many words and stories that come to mind, but for now I just want to pay respects to an amazingly good, decent, and insightful man, who always found a way to smile and teach even his most hard-headed and headstrong player.  It was an honor and a privilege to play for such a man.  

He will be missed!