Ronald Nikcevich
Ronald Edward Nikcevich, age 88, longtime resident of Western Springs. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee O’Connell). Loving father of Cindy (Dennis) Bass, Dan (Kelly), and Jack (Linda). Cherished grandfather of Kelsey (Iskar) Smith, Madeline, Alexis, Katherine, Elizabeth, Kailee, Emily, Christopher, and Sophie. Great grandfather of Antonie. Uncle of Richard and John. Great uncle of Ryan, Alexander, Justine, Eric, Caroline, Robert, and Kate.
Ron was born on December 21, 1934, in Chicago, IL to Vlado and Danica Nikcevich. Ron graduated from Lane Tech high school in Chicago in 1953, and then attended Marquette University on a basketball scholarship, playing for legendary coach, Tex Winter. Ron then completed his college career at Western Illinois University (WIU), where he was a standout on the powerhouse teams coached by Stix Morley, that still hold several records at WIU. Ron graduated from WIU in 1957 with a degree in English. Ron started his career teaching English and coaching basketball at Peoria Richwoods high school in 1957, before moving onto Riverside Brookfield high school in 1958. Ron graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1967 with a master’s degree, and then moved to Lyons Township (LT) high school in 1969.
Ron attained great success as a high school basketball coach, amassing a record 562-288 in 33 years as a varsity head coach. Ron’s first team at LT ran the table and finished the 1970 season undefeated at 31-0. Ron’s last team at LT in 1994, finished third in the state tournament. Ron was known as an outstanding coach whose teams were always very competitive and disciplined. Ron was also highly sought after as a speaker in various basketball camps and clinics and ran his own successful basketball camp at LT for 25 years. Ron also coached internationally and was the head coach for the US Junior National team that won a gold medal over the Soviet Union in in Spain in 1983. Ron also conducted basketball clinics in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Yugoslavia in the 1980s and mid-1990s. Ron was well-organized as a coach and kept detailed records of each practice and game that he coached. Ron served as both vice-president and president of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982. His knowledge and wisdom of the game led many famous and prominent coaches to travel to Ron’s home to seek advice. Perhaps Ron’s greatest accomplishment as a coach was the impact that he had on the growth and development of so many young men who would return years later to visit Ron to thank him and describe how their lives and careers were influenced by his leadership and mentorship.
Ron was also a popular English teacher, and his classes were well-known for in-depth study of various plays and novels. Ron was a voracious reader, and his home was filled with thousands of books, and many books contained his commentary written in the margin. Ron also became a writer and a poet after he retired from teaching and coaching, publishing his work in journals and magazines that focused on Serbian and Montenegrin culture. Ron and Pat traveled extensively in Europe, for which the Adriatic Coast of Montenegro and Paris, France were their favorite destinations. Ron’s writings were often based on his reflections and observations of where he and Pat traveled in Europe.
Ron met the love of his life, Patricia O’Connell, when he was 17 years old. Ron and Pat were married in 1957 and enjoyed a wonderful marriage of 65 years, and built a warm home for their 3 children, Cindy, Dan, and Jack. Ron was a family man above all, and he loved his children, his beloved parents, brother Bob, and nephews Rich and John and their families. Ron absolutely adored his grandchildren as their Papa. Ron took the family on many family vacations across the United States, that sometimes were in a location nearby where he was coaching or speaking at a basketball camp. His most cherished family vacations were in the mountains of Colorado, Rainy Lake in northern Minnesota, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Ron’s most enduring legacy is his family. He was amazingly, genuinely, and truly curious about both the big and little things and was a true Renaissance man. Memory Eternal – Vjecnaja Pamjat!
Visitation 10am until time of service, 12pm on Friday, February 10th at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Burial will take place privately. Funeral information: 708-352-6500 or hjfunerals.com
I liked Ron for a number of reasons. First of all he pulled no punches…what you saw is what you got. He was fierce but I found him fair. He fully embraced me when I coached the Soph basketball team with Lynn Deason. In that he regard he cared deeply about the success of the boys and coaches. But most of all, I just loved chatting at length with Ron about any topic under the sun.
To the entire family, cherish those many, many happy moments and memories as I know they are so dear to you. May you be strengthened in the days ahead by those precious times together.
Dick Flesher
My heart and love goes out to the family. He is one of my most cherished people of my young life. He made me a better person.
Rest in heaven coach.
Ron and Pat were our friends and neighbors for almost 30 years. Truly a beautiful couple who loved each other very much. We were backyard neighbors who always smiled, waved and said, “hello” to each other. Not an encounter went by when Ron wouldn’t ask about our boys. He loved my love of IU and his friend, Bobby Knight. He was a gentle giant and so well-respected. Sending our love to Pat and all. Truly a life we’ll-lived!
My condolences to the Nikcevich family. I had Mr Nikcevich as an English teacher and as a basketball coach. I have many fond memories of basketball practice and recall Coach giving me a knickname of Trapper John when we were pressing full court. Prayers to the entire family.
Mr. Nikcevich was my Sophomore English teacher at Riverside Brookfield 1966-67. He has always been my favorite High School teacher. Kind, funny and very highly respected by all his students. My deepest sympathies to the entire Nikcevich family. May he Rest In Peace 🙏🏻
It was our pleasure to share coaching days, family vacations and wonderful memories with our dear, dear friends, Pat and Ron. His death is not only a family loss, but a keen loss for all of us who shared days at Riverside-Brookfield and Lyons Township. M
I got to know Coach after he retired and have many fond memories of talking hoops with him while playing adult pick-up at South. He was a great person, and coach, and so very sorry for his family, and those who were impacted by him in the classroom or on the basketball court as students.
Ron was a great guy and we had great games against each other when I coached at Barrington. He was truly a class act and a credit to the teaching and coaching profession!
Personable teacher and coach. Great guy. Funny and friendly in and out of the classroom. Had tough, competitive teams at Riverside-Brookfield, despite the school being the smallest in the rugged West Suburban Conference. Left for LTHS and went unbeaten to state championship in his debut season. RIP.
My condolences to Ron’s family.
May the Nikcevich family experience God’s presence and peace at this time.
Ron was a true professional, his dedication to his family, LT, and the Basketball community was outstanding. Rest in Peace, Coach Nikcevich!
Sincere Sympathies to all.
Ron and I were both English teachers and shared a classroom at Riverside-Brookfield High School for a year (1958-59). He ended up at LTHS as did my three children. It was great to see him again and watch him coach basketball games at the Field House.
Liz Jeffries Burns
Mr. Nikcevich was my English teacher in my Sophomore yr. He made it so interesting & fun. I have very fond memories. Loved going to our basketball games & see him coach. I graduated in 1969. Glad to know he waited to leave RB until I was gone. Hope you coach a heavenly team up there.
Watching just about every game he coached that first year at LT when the team won the state championship undefeated, it was clear he knew what he was doing. He had full control of the team and prepared each of the players for their role. He instilled confidence.
Mr. Nikcevich was my English teacher. He was wonderful. You were never bored even if the book or topic was. I am so sorry for your loss.
People might not remember that R-B Basketball Coach Ron Nikcevich was also a Track and Field asst Coach for the late, great R-B Track Coach Gene Laulunen. Coach Nik coached the hurdlers, high jumpers, and long jumpers. And like someone mentioned before, Coach Nik instilled confidence.
More than being a great Coach, Coach Nik was a great guy, with a great sense of humor, and will surely be missed.
The last time I spoke to Coach Nik was roughly ten years ago at a volleyball game at LTHS. He was watching one of his granddaughters play. Even though I hadn’t seen him in probably 35-40 years, he recognized me and we reminisced about the old LT vs RB basketball rivalries of the mid-1960s.
I remember Coach Nik coming to see me play in college when EIU played DePaul, even though he was never my coach. He became the boys basketball coach at LT the year after I graduated in 1969. He always had his players inspired to play beyond their abilities and always brought out their best effort!
May you rest in peace Coach Nik!
God’s love to your family!
One life lived, many lives touched. Deepest sympathy to the Nikcevich family.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to our Dear Aunt Pat and Cousins Cindy, Dan and jack. We are so in awe of such a gifted man. Uncle Ron’s dedication to his career, family, marriage and all the lives impacted by his presence has left a positive example that we will embrace. Our Mom Shirley is Pat’s sister and approaching 95, so of course wants to express that she is thinking of all of you and has fond memories of Ron as her brother in law. We regret we are unable to attend the visitation but send our support t and love during this difficult time.
Rest in Peace Coach. The positive impact you had on the young people you taught and coached is immeasurable. The lessons we learned will never be forgotten. May God bless you and hold you forever in the palm of his hand..
One of the most impactful and influencial people in my life. He coached us to win a state basketball championship and more importantly to win in life. My mom and Nik were friends and English teachers at LT’s South Campus. I cherished our phone calls together over the years. Coach K has said that Nik was one of the greatest basketball minds in the country. My life has been enriched by knowing Coach Nik and his great family – Pat, Cindy, Dan, and Jack. It has been one of my greatest honors in life to Co-captain along with Marcus Washington – playing alongside our great teammates Owen Brown, Dave VanSkike and Steve Heinzelman – the ’70 State Basketball Champs led by our great coach, Ron Nikcevich.
I agree with you, Scott. As the manager of that team, I saw first-hand how coach Nik transformed all of us. Transformed us for life. That magical year is still a milestone for me.
I was very fortunate to have had Ron as my English teacher and bball coach at RB. He was funny and entertaining in class, prepared and focused at practice, never outcoached in games. He taught me how to play team and individual defense, no small task. He motivated us to play beyond ourselves, got the maximum out of us. Unforgettable personality, left an indelible mark on my life.
My condolences to the Nikcevich family. Rest in peace Coach Nik.
I am so sorry I could not attend the service for Coach Nik. today. My wife is ill, and I spend my time with her. I live in Wisconsin now.
The twenty five years I spent coaching at The Lagrange All Star Basketball Camp are some of the most rewarding and memorable of my life. Not only did I get to know Coach Nik. very well, I learned a great deal about the game of basketball from him. What a great basketball mind he was.
To Pat, Cindy, Dan and Jack, my deepest sympathy on the passing of your Husband and Father. I am sorry we have lost touch but some things can’t be avoided, I guess. My very best to the great Nikcevich family.
I was nine years old when I first attended Coach’s four week summer basketball camp. I attended every summer after that. I never missed a session. I listened to every word of his lectures at his camps. He was extremely effective at sharing his knowledge of the game. He inspired me at a young age to pursue a goal that was beyond my capabilities – winning a state championship. We came up short from winning that state championship together. The painful losses are distant memories. However, the relentless commitment to excellence every day to achieve a dream was a lesson learned that I have never forgotten. Thanks, Coach. It was a privilege to learn the game of basketball from you and an honor to play for you. Rest in peace. My deepest condolences to the entire Nikcevich family.
I was apart of Ron’s last year and the third place state team. Incredible coach and leader. Unforgettable and fond memories. Thanks coach, RIP
I’m a little late for my post but it was important to acknowledge. When I think back only a few teachers coaches were notarized in my memory Coach Ron Nikcevich was top 3 most remembered because of his stature and a Great English teacher very personable which made LTHS fun. Mr. Max Armer was my Fathers Cross Country coach in 1951-1954.. So Thanks Mr. Nikcevich for your LONG term LTHS coach and teacher you are so blessed Godspeed my friend.