Anthony A. Annarino

Date of Death: September 9, 2010

Dr. Anthony A. Annarino, 87, of West Lafayette, died Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, at University Place.
He was professor emeritus of kinesiology at Purdue University and a faculty member from 1951 until his retirement in 1986.
Born July 4, 1923, in Punxsutawney, Pa., he served with the Air Corps from 1942 to 1945 with the 456th Bomb Group in Italy. He received a bachelor&s degree from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania in 1948; a master?s degree from Purdue University in 1951; and a doctorate from Indiana University in 1961.
His education experiences included Full Professor, Health and Kinesiology Department, Purdue University; a visiting professor on World Campus Afloat; Catholic University, Chile; Kiel University, Germany; and Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti. He was a curriculum and instructional consultant for many school districts, universities and Army international schools; Peace Corps trainer; first aid and aquatic chair for Lafayette Red Cross and its national aquatic school; YMCA physical director; soccer and gymnastics coach, Purdue.
Dr. Annarino was the author and co-author of fourteen books and over 90 professional articles. He gave over a hundred state, regional, national and international presentations. His primary research was in the areas of curriculum design and instructional strategies.
He served as president for Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance ,1961-1962; president of Midwest District for American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD), 1973-1974; and national president for AAHPERD, 1985-1986.
His awards included Outstanding Alumnus, Slippery Rock University, 1972; Distinguished Alumnus, Indiana University, Bloomington, 1995; and department, school and university Outstanding Teacher in 1975, 1977, 1979, and 1980. The Midwest AAHPERD selected him as the first Midwest Scholar in 1984. In 1999, he was inducted as a charter member in the Book of Great Teachers at Purdue University. He was the recipient of honor awards and citations from American Red Cross; Catholic University, Chile; state, district and national AAHPERD; Legacy award from Indiana AHPERD; and Professor Emeritus Curriculum Academy and Project Inspiration awards from National Association for Sport and Physical Education. He was selected as a lieutenant colonel aide-de-camp by the state of Alabama and Man of the Year for Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce.
His wife Betty Jo preceded him in death in 1996.
Surviving are a son, Dan (partner: Patty Deevy) of West Lafayette; and brother John, Palm Springs, Calif.
Also surviving are granddaughters Madeena Coates (husband: Michael), Lafayette and Savannah Bourgeois (husband: Matthew), Houston, Texas.
Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Memorials to West Lafayette Tree Fund, 609 W. Navajo St., West Lafayette, IN 47906.

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

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Dr. A had a great impact on my life. His willingness to take time from his busy schedule to talk about anything I wanted to discuss with him and share his insights have been greatly appreciated. My deepest sympathy to his family.

I knew Toni Annarino long before I met him. He was part of many stories that my Dad shared with me and then my sons. These stories began at Slippery Rock when Dad and Toni were room mates and majoring in Physical Education. One such story involved a touch football game in which Toni met Betts. Other tales were of summers at Twin Lake Camp in Vermont and of course the many happy days as Boilermakers at Purdue. I met Toni when we were dropping my youngest at Purdue as an entering freshman. Both my boys were immediately drawn to Toni and have commented in the years since how much Toni reminded them of thier Pappa Mac. We know that the two men are together and continue to talk about education, football, Purdue and family.

Toni touched many lives. I will always be grateful that he touched mine and Patrick and JT&s. He was a remarkable man and left his mark on all of us who knew him.

The Annarino family will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. We trust that your many happy memories of Toni will comfort you in the months ahead.

Hey Dan

Sorry to hear about your dad passing. Mary just called and told me I don&t read the paper so I didn&t see it. It made me think of when we worked together. I always liked your dad. I would see him around from time to time and he would always speak to me. Hope you and your family are doing good. I can&t believe your girls are married!! Are they old enough?!! We have four grandkids and life is good.

Erin

I met Tony through our mutual friend Walter Harrison, who knew Tony from the Peace Corps and World Campus Afloat. Walt had some good stories involving Tony.

I first met Tony when Walt and I stopped at Purdue to play golf with Tony. We had a great time. I was really impressed not only with his golf game, but with his wit. My only regret is that our times together were limited and I didn&t have more time to share in his wisdom.

Purdue and your family have lost a wonderful man!

I was one of Dr. Annarino&s students during my graduate studies at Purdue.

Even though I was graduate from the Physical Education department at Purdue, I was teaching mathematics in the public schools. I returned to Purdue for my masters program and I was blessed in having Dr. Annarino for many of my graduate classes. He knew I would probably never teach physical education so he re-designed all I did for him with mathematics in mind.

It was the most enlightening experience of my life and I thank Dr. Annarino for helping me to become the educator I have become.

Even though it has been many years since I left Purdue, I often reflect on those great experiences and my memories of Dr. Annarino.

My God Bless my friend, and welcome him with open arms.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

My condolences to the Annarino family. Dr. Annarino was the most influencial person in my educational teaching preparation.His influence on my forty one years of teaching was amazing.

I will truley miss my annual homecoming visit with Dr. Annarino at Ross Ade stadium. The Annarino Family and the Purdue Community have lost a great member,mentor and fan.

Jim Mewha
BPE 67
MS 69

Your father and grandfather was very special to me. I grew up in Pennsylvania and am a proud graduate of Slippery Rock State. Following graduation, I spent my entire career in the Midwest District where Tony Annarino is a legend and good friend to all. He was always supportive, had a kind word for everyone and paid attention to those of us who were so very blessed to follow in his footsteps. (We also swapped stories about growing up in the wilds of PA!) He forged a path in his field that we will strive to keep clear. He impacted the lives of his colleagues and students through physical activity. Though he is gone from our sight, he will never be gone from our hearts and minds. Thanks for sharing him with us.

Sincerest condolences.

Deb Berkey

Dear Dan and Annarino family members,

Tony Annarino was a giant of a man in our professsion! He served at all levels, state, district and national. He distinguished himself as a leader, serving as President of Indiana AHPERD, Midwest AHPERD and the American Alliance. I had the privilege of attending Purdue and having Tony as ""cheerleader"" for me as I followed his footsteps in leadership of the state and district associations. I never had him in class because the women and men&s PE departments at Purdue were separate (pre Title IX). When I became President, Tony became a trusted mentor who provided information and support. He was an ""in your face"" kind of guy who challenged and chided, yet supported and sided. We had a great trip to Washington to meet our Congressmen from Indiana. Tony&s name could ""get us in."" Even after he retired, Tony kept in touch. He did a curriculum review for our college. We always connected at conventions. His influence on AAHPERD structure and operations has been felt. His straight taught and common sense served our profession well. Peace to you and your family at this sad time. May the fond memories of days gone by and the love of family carry you through the sorrow.

Blessings on you,

Becky Hull
Anderson, Indiana

To Tony&s Family -

I send my sincere condolences at the loss of your father and grandfather. May you have a heart full of wonderful memories to sustain you during your grief. Tony was a consummate professional and a distinguished member of our profession. I always enjoyed our conversations about our profession and it&s future directions. His spunk and energy will be missed. God bless him.

Karen

Dr. Karen J. Dowd
Parkland, Florida
AAHPERD President 1996-97

I had Dr. Annarino many years ago for kinesiology at Purdue. By far my hardest class ever at Purdue. Also the one I got my best grade in and by far learned the most.
A great teacher and a person I always admired and respected.
He will be missed...

So sorry to learn of Dr. A&s passing, a special educator, mentor, good friend, and a inspiration to everyone he touched.

Terry Marcoline PE &64

From 1977-1981 I was a student of Dr. Annarino&s at Purdue. He was the finest instructor I ever had. The way he ran his class, his questioning strategies and the high expectations he held for his students made a lasting impression on me. I tried to emmulate him during my teaching career. I ran into Dr. Annarino on occasion over the years and he always had kind words to say. He seemed genuinely interested in my career as a teacher and school administrator in the LSC. He was a hero of mine. God bless you Dr. Annarino. You led a life that truly mattered and impacted others.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.