Joe Ryback, Beloved St. Viator Baseball Coach, Dies Unexpectedly

PALATINE, IL — Joe Ryback, a popular and well-liked coach for St. Viator and Wauconda high schools, died Sept. 16 in Island Lake, according to his obituary. The Palatine High School graduate was 33. His obituary did not give a cause of death, but the school district Ryback worked for described his death as "unexpected."

Born in Park Ridge, Ryback was St. Viator's head sophomore baseball coach, as well as the varsity assistant football coach at Wauconda High School. He also worked with special education students in his role as a middle school physical education teacher in Wauconda Community Unit District 118, where he had been since 2011, according to the obituary.

"If God was looking for a Coach he did not have to look very far because he now has the right man for the job," his obituary stated. "Joe will never stop coaching, his players will live on, and therefore, Joe’s legacy will continue to live on." (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Palatine news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

District 118 has made counselors availble for any students having trouble dealing with Ryback's death. The school district also provided tips to parents on how to talk to their children about the teacher's death.

"Our deepest sympathies go to the Ryback family. We care deeply for all involved," the school district said in a statement.

Players, past and present, who had been coached by Ryback offered their condolences on social media. Many of them shared how the coach had positively affected their lives.

Ryback is survived by his wife, Christina (nee Zale) Ryback; his children, Logan and Reid; and his siblings, Andrew (Stacy) Ryback and Casey Ryback.

"As a family man, Joe was an awesome father, who loved both of his boys very much," Ryback's obituary stated. "He spent every free moment with Logan and Reid teaching and coaching them to play baseball, football, and soccer, or helping to build a Lego, Joe always found an opportunity to spend some quality time with his boys."

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at St. Viator High School, 1213 E. Oakton St., Arlington Heights. Entombment will be at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be given to the Joe Ryback scholarship fund for promising athletes, c/o Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.

Anyone wanting more information about Ryback's funeral or how to offer condolences can conact Gleckert Funeral Home at its website or by calling 847-253-0168.

Photo via Shutterstock

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