Harold E. "Coach" Anderson of Belvidere, IL, passed away December 28, 2021. He was born March 24, 1934, to Leonard H. and Emma A. (Rhodes) Anderson.

Andy was raised on a farm and was familiar with the hard work done by farm boys. He attended Sager's School, a country school, and graduated from Belvidere High School in 1952. There he was a popular student participating in football, basketball (the team won the DeKalb tournament his senior year, 1951) baseball, and track. He then attended Northern Illinois University, where he played on the varsity football team as a freshman. Andy transferred to Illinois State University his sophomore year and again played varsity football. There he and former high school classmate Barbara Schulte became a couple and were married at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere between their junior and senior years in 1955. He was drafted into the army his senior year and served as an M.P. while stationed at Fort Lewis, WA.

After graduation from Illinois State University in 1959, Andy taught 8th grade at Manchester School where he was also basketball coach. Later, he went to North Boone High School where he was a science and drivers' ed. teacher, coaching varsity football and basketball. His last teaching position was at Rockford West High School where he taught drivers' ed. and coached sophomore football and basketball and later became assistant varsity football and head varsity basketball coach. He was also an IHSA official in football and baseball and served as manager of the Belvidere Park swimming pool for several summers.

Andy was a former Jaycee and Lion's Club member and belonged to the American Legion and the VFW in Belvidere, where he had many friends. He also volunteered as an umpire for Little League baseball. He enjoyed watching horse racing, collecting coins, keeping a well manicured lawn and vegetable garden, and he was a lifelong Chicago Bears fan. He loved to laugh and socialize with other people and he always had a listening ear and offered support and good advice. His spiritual home was Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere.

He was predeceased by his father, Leonard H. Anderson; his mother, Emma A. Schandelmeier; his step-father, Harold A. Schandelmeier; brother-in-law, Harold L. Curtis; and sister-in-law, Joyce Ann Giger. He is loved and missed by his wife Barbara, daughters Susan E. (Edward) Zurfluh and Debra C. (Clark) Markey, grandchildren, Jacob A. (Samantha) Brenz, and Bailey B. Morgan, great-granddaughter, Evelyn A. Brenz, sister-in-law, Sanda J. Curtis, special cousins, Gary Anderson and Don Gustafson, and special "birthday buddy" and friend, Pat Groh.

Graveside service will be private with Pastor Keith Richard officiating. Burial will be in Belvidere Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be sent to Immanuel Lutheran Church Belvidere, IL. Arrangements are being made by Anderson Funeral and Cremation Services.