Larry Gnapp Passes Away

Larry Gnapp, Lane Tech Assistant Track and Cross Country Coach, Lane Tech Distance Legend

Larry Gnapp passed away today in his north side Chicago home. Gnapp, a current Lane Tech assistant distance coach for track and cross country, will be greatly missed. He had health problems the last few years, but physically and mentally he always kept his spirit ups and was very alive. I last spoke with him at the Len Jareczek Relays about 10 days ago, he was taking race times and seemed very healthy and definitely in good spirits.

"I spoke with him on the phone last Monday he was running on the treadmill.....Larry brought fire and passion to our program, " said Lane Tech head track and cross country coach Kris Roof.

Gnapp decided to become an assistant cross country coach at Lane 4 years ago when current Lane distance star Kulayfi Haji was a freshman.

"He treated his players like family....he got back into the running about 5 years ago when he moved back to Chicago from New York," said Lane Tech middle distance coach Tony Jones.

Larry Gnapp spent a big part of his career in information technology. But his passion was Lane Tech distance running. He is an alumni and a was a distance star for Lane Tech. Larry, a Lane Tech, class of 1972 graduate holds the school record in the mile (4:13.7) and the 2 mile (9:19.9). His 2 mile time is also I believe a Public League record.

Comments

[RIP]

Rest in Peace to Coach Gnapp. You were tough and school. I'll miss you. May God Bless you...keep running in heaven.

[Coach Tony Jones]

Yep "Uncle Larry" is gone from here on Earth but not his spirit. You can best believe everyone from 1 to the last guy will continue on with the furver that Larry Gnapp brought to the program.

Some people say numbers is what brought Lane back on top. I would venture to say that we always had numbers, but Uncle Larry got the athletes and especially the coaches to reach for more. I definately owe him a lot. I think the Man upstairs for allowing him to be a part of my life for the time he was here.

R.I.P Uncle Larry Gnapp!

Coach Tony Jones
Lane Tech Track

[Victor "Flaco" Terrazas]

We as a Team will dearly miss him, especially his Jokes after grueling workouts. I will always remember summers at River, mostly when we saw the cooler come out. He will be missed dearly. He is physically gone but he will always be with us in our hearts.

RIP Uncle Larry Knapp

[Tragedy teaches lessons]

This is a tragedy considering his age and that he was relatively young. This shows what really is important in life and hopefully everyone will gain a new perspective from this and consider what they are writing before posting on this blog.

[idep]

maybe you can tell your teammates that too next time at practice..

RIP Larry Knapp you will always be remembered.

[Joe Kallas]

Larry was also a Loyola Univ. alum, where he ran 3:43 for 1500 meters (equivalent to about 4:00 mile). Lane, CPS, Loyola,, and the Chicago running community lost a character and a friend.

[Loyola]

RIP Larry.

Fire, passion, realism, heart, old school.

Loyola remembers you

http://loyolaramblers.cstv.com/sports/c-track/spec-rel/040710aac.html

[Meet records]

Gnapp also holds Public League meet records in the 800 and 2 mile.

http://neilski.typepad.com/wwwlanetechfancom_blog/2008/12/public-league-boys-track-and-field-records.html

[NANDO]

Yesterday I lost one of my mentors. But I thank the Lord for giving me the chance to be coached by such a great man who was as passionate about running as I am. He took me all the way to state and saw me run the fastest I had ever ran in high school. Physically you are not here but on my runs you will always be calling the splits. I love you coach.

Fernando Arroyo 2009

[Publisher - visitation and funeral information]

Visitation

Sunday, April 11, 2010

3pm – 8pm

Herdegen-Brieske Funeral Home

1356 W. Wellington Avenue

Chicago, IL 60657

773-525-0178

Funeral Mass

Monday, April 12, 2010

St. Benedict’s Church

2215 West Irving Park

Chicago, IL 60618

773-588-6484

10:30 am

Processional from Funeral Home will start at 9:30am Monday morning.

Information will be in the Sun Times and Tribune on Friday, April 9

[Neal Jareczek]

Dear Katy and the Gnapp Family,
Our family extends our deepest sympathy to you. Larry in so many ways was family to us. The hundreds of miles run together with him and the laughs and crazy stunts and discussions and championships shared seem like yesterday. The "Rabbit" made it look so easy...but like the really great athletes he fooled us...it was hard and it was painful...but he never let it show. My family is very appreciative of his efforts to honor my father and along with Coach Roof organize the Len Jareczek Relays. If heaven includes a track and cross-country course(and maybe please-a flat one)may we all meet again.
I will miss my good friend and teammate.

Neal Jareczek and the Jareczek Family

[David Casillas]

My sincere condolences to Katy and The Gnapp Family.
I learned this morning at the Oak Park 'Race That's Good For Life' 5k of Larry's passing. How ironic I thought as I paused to recall Larry once being only one of 2 high school athletes' ever to have beaten Olympian Craig Virgin while at Virgin's best! And Larry did it in his 'specialty' the Mile here, indoors at Oak Park-River Forest High School...my heart sank as I was deeply saddened by the news...
I competed with and against Larry for many years. We both had the honor of competing for the University Of Chicago Track Club and Coach Ted Haydon. I can tell you for a fact, that Larry was one of Coach's favorite people! We traveled races all over the U.S. and Larry was always there with his cheerful style to make us laugh!
Aside from his great presence, Larry was also a fierce competitor! Also, it's remarkable too because Larry, 'back in the day' was of the very first in the State Of Illinois to approach the 'Magical Four-Minute Mile' while he was at Loyola.
Again, Larry, you will be missed my friend...

RIP Dear Friend,
David Casillas
Oak Forest, IL
UCTC

[Ed Wallace]

I am shocked and bewildered...the last time I saw him he looked lile he would live forever...He was so young and vigorous. I will miss him. He was a dedicated and talened coach and athlete. Coach Ed Wallace

[Karen Patton]

This sad news is being passed among members of UC Track Club (I competed with them 1976-83), and I was equally shocked and saddened by this news. I didn't realize Larry was still in this area, or I would have happily looked him up. We spent many hours in wonderful conversation while training and competing with the club, and he regularly gave me a lift home. He was such a great and energetic guy with a very kind heart. I don't know what happened, but my heartfelt condolences go out to all his family and friends. I know he has touched many people, and he will be missed. Sure wish I had a chance to catch up with him now that he was coaching. A very sad opportunity lost to reconnect with a dear friend from my past. Karen Patton, Schaumburg

[Nick Diakoumis]

I went to Kindergarten and first grade with Larry. we reunited at Lane. although we really didnt hang out all the time all of us jocks hung around together to some degree. sorry to hear about everyones loss. he was our cross country stud in 72
rip gnip gnap

[David Berg]

I just learned of Larry's passing. Larry was a good running friend (back in the 70's and 80's) and I am sorry to hear of his passing. I trust the family is doing well. As everyone else has already indicated, his passion was in running. if you have ever been fortunate to have expericned the running bug, you know what this means. Dave Berg, Evanston

[Rebecca McSwine]

I also just learned about Larry's passing. Dear friend we had some great times in the triathelon days. Have great sorrow that I had not seen you and Katie for such a long time. Will always think of you and miss you. Katie my thoughts are and will always be with you.

Go team geriatric! Becky McSwine

[ron gandy]

It has been a full year since larry's passing and I just now heard the sad news. I was on the track and cross country team with larry at lane. He was a great competertor.what great memories. Hey guys, remember the macomb invitational? Our hotel was next to a cemetary and it was halloween. After coach tucked us in larry led us out the window, into the deepest part of the graveyard where he had two guys waiting to scare the hell out of mitchel!? That was larry. We will see you at the finish line old friend.