~ IN MEMORY ~
NCA/RC/NWA Capt. George Andrew Werderich
October 28, 1943 ~ August 17, 2023
As
noted in the October issue of the Air Line Pilot magazine’s In Memoriam
column, the passing of retired Northwest Airlines pilot Captain George A. Werderich,
age 80. George first joined North
Central Airlines 05-02-1966 and retired with Northwest Airlines. He is survived by his wife Anita, and by his
children and grandchildren.
PCN
memorial site
Funeral
home website: https://memorials.countrysidefuneralhomes.com/george-werderich/5256976/
Obituary 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 50th 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
…………………………………
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dailyherald/name/george-werderich-obituary?id=53058022
GEORGE WERDERICH Obituary
George Werderich co-founder of the Bartlett
Raiders, railroad enthusiast, community leader and professional pilot died on
August 17th, 2023, while jogging in Zion Canyon, Utah. George is survived by
his wife, Anita; and his four children (Robert, Walter, Annette and Margie).
George lived a full life and died in heaven: Oct. 28, 1943 - Aug. 17, 2023.
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