Obituary for Howard Jay Romanek
Howard Jay Romanek, age 72. Devoted son of the late Louis and Jane Romanek. Survived by his siblings Elizabeth, Harvey, Irwin and Mark. Howard coached the Glenbrook South Girls Basketball team to a State of Illinois Championship in 1994. He was later inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. www.MitzvahFunerals.com. Info Mitzvah Memorial Funerals, 630-Mitzvah (630-648-9824).
Sad news at GBS – Retiree Howard Romanek has passed away
Howard Romanek, retired Social Studies teacher, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 20, 2020, at the Citadel Nursing Home in Northbrook after battling brain cancer during the last year. Services will be private.
Howard was an outstanding basketball player when he graduated from Niles East High School in 1965. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1969 and a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. He constantly supplemented his knowledge with foreign study programs in places such as Mexico, Japan, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Spain, and Russia.
He began his teaching and coaching career at Geneva High School in 1969, where he served as assistant varsity basketball and golf coach. In 1971, Howard joined the GBS Social Studies Department; he also taught in the Glenbrook Academy until his retirement in 2003. A dedicated teacher, he developed numerous courses including Urban Studies, Latin American history, Honors World Civilization, and AP European History; and was chosen the Distinguished Teacher of the Year in 1987.
Howard was a long-term sponsor of the Onward House tutoring project and also worked with the debate program. He began coaching freshman boys’ basketball at GBS in 1976, and after 13 successful years, became the head coach of the girls, establishing a program that became one of the most respected in Illinois. From 1993-1998, Howard’s teams won 153 games and lost just 27, including 5 conference championships, 4 regionals, 1 sectional, and the state championship in 1994. The championship team was rated 17th in the nation by USA Today. He was named Illinois Class AA Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year by both the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and the Illinois Girl’s Coaches Association; and was inducted into the GBS Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004-05.
Howard continued his dedication to GBS after his retirement, as both a substitute teacher and an avid follower of the basketball program. Upon his death, current Social Studies Department head noted: “I can't think of anyone who modeled as much devotion to GBS as Howie did. He left his mark on so many parts of the school - AP Euro, the Onward House partnership, girls’ basketball, the Academy, his generous scholarships over the years. It is the end of an era.”
Sad news at GBS – Retiree Howard Romanek has passed away
Howard Romanek, retired Social Studies teacher, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 20, 2020, at the Citadel Nursing Home in Northbrook after battling brain cancer during the last year. Services will be private.
Howard was an outstanding basketball player when he graduated from Niles East High School in 1965. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1969 and a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. He constantly supplemented his knowledge with foreign study programs in places such as Mexico, Japan, UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Spain, and Russia.
He began his teaching and coaching career at Geneva High School in 1969, where he served as assistant varsity basketball and golf coach. In 1971, Howard joined the GBS Social Studies Department; he also taught in the Glenbrook Academy until his retirement in 2003. A dedicated teacher, he developed numerous courses including Urban Studies, Latin American history, Honors World Civilization, and AP European History; and was chosen the Distinguished Teacher of the Year in 1987.
Howard was a long-term sponsor of the Onward House tutoring project and also worked with the debate program. He began coaching freshman boys’ basketball at GBS in 1976, and after 13 successful years, became the head coach of the girls, establishing a program that became one of the most respected in Illinois. From 1993-1998, Howard’s teams won 153 games and lost just 27, including 5 conference championships, 4 regionals, 1 sectional, and the state championship in 1994. The championship team was rated 17th in the nation by USA Today. He was named Illinois Class AA Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year by both the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and the Illinois Girl’s Coaches Association; and was inducted into the GBS Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004-05.
Howard continued his dedication to GBS after his retirement, as both a substitute teacher and an avid follower of the basketball program. Upon his death, current Social Studies Department head noted: “I can't think of anyone who modeled as much devotion to GBS as Howie did. He left his mark on so many parts of the school - AP Euro, the Onward House partnership, girls’ basketball, the Academy, his generous scholarships over the years. It is the end of an era.”