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Former Glenbard North principal remembered as 'epitome of class and character'

Family and friends this week are mourning the loss of a beloved coach, principal and family man who played integral roles at both Glenbard East and Glenbard North high schools.

Albert Weber died early Tuesday, days after his 87th birthday, following a seven-month battle with cancer.

An avid golfer and fisherman in his retirement, Weber will most be remembered as the Glenbard East basketball coach who led the team to the state tournament in 1964 and the man who holds the longest reign as principal of Glenbard North High School in Carol Stream, from 1971 to 1989.

"I lost a hero of mine a few days ago," said Tim Weiss, who played center on that 1964 team. "Coach Weber taught me everything I know about basketball and life and respecting people. I have talked to him about more stuff than I could even talk to my dad about."

It seems most who knew Weber have similar stories.

Jim Roberts also played for Weber at Glenbard East and later married Weber's sister-in-law, Sandra.

"He was a great man who epitomized class and character," Roberts said. "And he constantly preached this thing called RAMS, which stands for Right Attitude Means Success. He lived his life that way and encouraged everyone else to do so as well."

Weber brought that same attitude with him to Glenbard North when he became principal in 1971.

"He was a great principal and just a down-to-earth guy who was sometimes funny and sometimes serious, but always sincere," said former Glenbard North football coach Dale Evans. "The guy just had this way about him that he didn't even have to work at being loved and being a great principal. It just came to him."

He said Weber was truly a principal who supported every teacher and student in his building. The Collinsville High School three-sport athlete, who once had a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals, also had an affinity for his athletic programs.

"I used to have him come out to our preseason practice to have him talk to the team," Evans said. "He was always motivational and inspirational. And the guys loved hearing from him."

Weber's son, Tim, who followed in his coaching footsteps at Glenbard East, praised his father as a well-rounded man who loved his family and his school.

"He loved that (Glenbard North) building like no other. And he really felt like it was his," Tim Weber said. "He knew everything. Without missing a beat, he could tell you who starred in the fall production, but he could also rattle off the starting lineup in a given basketball game."

At home, Tim Weber said, his dad was a devout Christian who "raised the bar of discipline and good behavior" for him and his two brothers.

"He was also one of the most loving, caring people you'd ever get to know," Weber said.

Memorial services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Effingham. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service on Monday at the church. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church Food Pantry in Effingham.

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