Lawandas Nogel

Lawandas "Dutch" Nogel peacefully went home to be with the Lord; Mom and Pop; brothers, John and Frank; sister, Clovene; and many friends on March 23, 2015. Born Sept. 28, 1919, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to Lebanese immigrants, John and Sophia Nogel, he lived a long, fulfilling life of 95 years. Named Lawandas after an uncle, he earned the nickname "Dutch" from a Swedish cabinet maker for always being late and getting into "dutch." The name carried with him throughout his life. A graduate of Pittsburg High School, Dutch was selected to play in the MO-KAN all-star football games in 1939 and 1940. He attended Tulsa University on a football scholarship and Missouri State his sophomore year where he also was a Golden Glove Champion before joining the Coast Guard in 1942 during WWII. During his four years of war duty, Dutch proudly served America as a Gunner's Mate, First Class on U.S.S. Cepheus in the European-African-Middle Eastern Area and in the invasion of Southern France. His service entitled him "to any decoration or award that may be authorized therefor" and to wear the American Area and European-African-Middle Eastern Medals and the Amphibious Force insignia. Returning to college, Dutch graduated from Pittsburg State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, and minors in Industrial arts and Biology. He also obtained his Masters of Arts degree in Education Administration. Dad's love for hunting and fishing drew him to his first job in the small town of Antonito, Colorado, where he turned a pasture into a playing field where the wind often blew down the goal posts he constructed out of wood. Though the first practice consisted of his players clearing the rocks, over the next four years, he revived a banned high school football program, inspired players (who stayed in contact into his aging years), and accomplished four consecutive winning seasons; during which his team won thirteen consecutive games. While in Antonito, Dutch also coached baseball and beat every team in the valley only losing four games. He left Antonito in 1952, when recruited to coach the Miners at Trinidad High School and where he remained until retiring in 1978. At Trinidad High School, he successfully coached the B Basketball team with 23 straight wins and won the TSJC Tourney five times. Coaching the Miners' golf team, he led them to one individual state championship and three district golfing titles. He reopened the boarded up, indoor swimming pool and started a Miners swimming program. Dutch served as Athletic Director and Assistant Principal. It was noted he maintained low absenteeism under his watch. But it was Miners football that made him one of the most acclaimed coaches in the history of high school sports. Under his direction, the Miners, the smallest team in Class AA (now called 6A) division, won two state championships back to back in 1956 and 1959 and division titles in the South Central League in 1959 and 1968. A milestone in Dutch's career was achieved in 1977, when he won his coveted 200th game and was written up in the state papers as the winningest coach in Colorado High School history. His record of 200-85-4 was the second best in Colorado with only one losing season due to injuries. In 1980, he was inducted into the Colorado Coaches Hall of Fame. A deep commitment to his players both on and off the field resulted in the football field at Miner's Stadium to be donned the Dutch Nogel Field in his honor in 2004. To encapsulate the honor, October 8-15 was proclaimed Dutch Nogel Week by Trinidad's Mayor and City Council for "his role as teacher and coach." Coach Nogel taught self-discipline and respect for others; he was a role model that inspired loyalty and to belief in oneself. As part of Dad's legacy, he will not only be remembered for his coaching successes, but his passion for those he loved. He leaves behind him a family that adored and appreciated him. He is survived by his two daughters, Kathleen Louise Nogel and Kimberly Mazza and his five grandchildren who were taught to say "My help is in the name of the Lord" whenever they spoke with him. His presence lived large in all of their lives with fond memories of fishing trips, Disneyland, the Petrified Forest, grasshopper legs, snowmen, "Santie Clause," Cigar Store candy, nicknames, tulips, chili burgers, comb overs, hairspray, "eggs in the skillet," Sunday funnies, trout on the BBQ, and purple durple eaters to remember a few. One of his final wishes before he left this earth was to have a great grandchild. Steely Jane Mazza was born on Christmas Eve 2013 and was by his side the day before his passing. He left this earth with his life fulfilled in the best of every way. He is survived also by his many nieces and nephews and his sister Lu, all of whom he loved deeply. Those special gesticulations will be carried forward in his memory. Grandma's swooping arm wave, his infamous toast - Cante Bella Costa - which he said meant "Many Beautiful Things" in Italian, but since we can't find the spelling, we guess it to be one of his many "Nogelisms" that include his trademark crooked smile, and biting his tongue during intense thought. For several years an envelope was propped on his jewelry box marked "To Kathy, Kim and Family - open after I die." Inside, the Mass card of comfort, ending with - Safely Home at Last. Though in heavens arms you rest, you will be deeply missed by us all. Though we know it best this time of rest, we wish for one more call. And as our talk would come to an end, we hear your words so true... "Goodbye, Good Luck and God be With You." A special heartfelt thanks to the many athletes, friends and family that stayed in touch throughout the years helping to make his life special and worth living, especially in the last years. Thank you to the doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers at Cheyenne Medical Regional Center, Life Care Center of Cheyenne and the Davis Hospice Center who so tenderly and affectionately cared for our precious father. A Funeral Liturgy with military honors will be celebrated on Monday, April 6, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming. An interment service will be held at a later date in Pittsburg, Kansas. Expressions of sympathy in Dutch's memory may be made to the Davis Hospice Center, 6000 Sycamore, Cheyenne, WY 82009.

Service

Monday, April 6, 2015 10:00am

Holy Trinity Catholic Church

1808 Hot Springs

CHEYENNE, WY