Jack Thurnblad ’49, died February 12th at the age of 96. Jack came back to Carleton in 1960 as the Men’s Basketball Coach and Assistant Professor of Physical Education for Men. In 1980, he became the Athletic Director (Men’s Department) and retired as the Emeritus Professor of Physical Education for Men in 1984. In between, he also coached golf, baseball, and football. After his retirement, he continued to coach basketball and golf until 1989. In 2008, Carleton’s basketball court was dedicated in honor of Jack, and the scoreboard reads “In honor of Coach Jack and Jinny Thurnblad.”
Jack continued to be a strong supporter of Carleton teams, including attending this past Saturday’s basketball game. As Guy Kalland wrote, “Coach Jack was an ambassador for Carleton and for the game of basketball. We will miss his presence at our games, the post-game chats, his strong handshake, and especially his smile after our victories. The passion he had for the game, but more importantly for his players even after they left Carleton, is an example all coaches should try to emulate. We’re proud to carry on his legacy.”
In addition to being a great coach, Jack was a good man to work with and for, say his colleagues. He was warm, friendly, fair, always helpful, and tireless. And when he couldn’t play the more physical sports, he turned to other games: the cribbage games at his retirement home and the black jack tables of regional casinos will be much less competitive without him.
A funeral service for Jack will be held Saturday, February 17th at 1pm, at the Church of St Dominic here in Northfield. Visitation will be held at Skinner Memorial Chapel at Carleton on Friday, February 16th, from 4–8pm, and one hour prior to the Saturday service at St Dominic’s. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Jack Thurnblad Memorial Fund to benefit the Carleton Athletic Department.
A Carleton memorial service for Jack was held on Saturday, May 12th at 1pm in Skinner Chapel. A video of the service is below.
A more complete obituary can be found at the Bierman Funeral Home website.
Comments
There are great coaches, some of whom are great teachers. Jack was was definitely the latter. He was a true gentleman, who used his incredible humanity to help young people reach their full potential athletically, academically and personally. He was tough without being mean and knowledgeable beyond compare. I was so lucky to have observed him in my formative years and to have been fortunate enough to call him boss, colleague and friend. Although I will miss him, I am so gratefull to have known him. His memory will live in my heart forever.
Great men leave a mark of their having passed this way. Jack left many, at least one on every player he coached. I played for Jack's first Carleton basketball team during the 1960-61 season. I don't remember what our record was; what I remember most about him was his love and respect for the game, his players and Carleton. His family can take comfort in knowing that Jack made us all better people just by associating with us.
One of the best things about coming back to Carleton eighteen years after graduating was the opportunity to reconnect with former professors and coaches and staff mentors as a junior colleague. The first time I saw Jack he remembered me and chuckled about the old basketball uniforms (Home and away) that he agreed to send via diplomatic pouch to the Dapaong Foadan Club in Togo, where I was serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer. We wore them to the semi-finals in the national championship and sent him pictures, which he saved and even had posted in the locker room for a while. While I only played for Coach Thurnblad for two years, and was naive enough to be surprised when he expected me to earn my place on the varsity back when I returned from studying in Denmark during the fall term of 1980, Jack was always supportive whenever I reached out to him in the following years. Some days, when walking home from the college with our kids, we would see Jack and Jinny working in the front yard. Once, we stopped by for a cold drink on a hot day and Jinny found some interesting garden work for my daughter to do while I sat and talked with Jack. It was a very nice gesture when the College honored the Thurnblads by naming the gym for them and putting their names on the big scoreboards and a lot of my old teammates came down for the dedication and we laughed over stories from our days on his team. The travel distances from our days in the Midwest Conference had us spending a lot of time together on the road and Jack was strict but fair. My father, who also coached for part of his career, used to love his visits to campus, when he could head over to the West Gym and talk with Coach Thurnblad. He thought very highly of him as a coach and always told me I was lucky to have such a great scholar of the game at Carleton. As President-Emeritus Steve Lewis has always said, the most valuable asset of Carleton has always been its people and Jack and Jinny Thurnblad touched thousands of lives over the years. We will keep them both, along with the whole family, in our thoughts and prayers.
Jack was first class all the way; in every facet of life. My pleasure to have crossed paths with him throughout our Carleton life. "keep your knees bent" Jack
I was so fortunate to get to know Jack through weekly visits and cribbage games between Casey Jarchow and Jon Nicholson in Scoville Hall in the late 1980's. In the past year I spent more time with Jack, as he was a neighbor of my father's at Millstream Commons. He always had a smile and a wave, and was the ultimate gentleman. I will miss him. Sympathy and prayers to his family.
Like John Lundsten I was a member of Jack's first Carleton team. It was a different era when coaches had no assistants and were expected to drive their own cars 400 miles on two lane roads all over the Mid West. But, I believe Jack had the job he always wanted and his enthusiasm never waned. Coaching is strange profession, where the outside world looks at wins and losses. Jack understood that labs and libraries were more important and saw his coaching as part of an education. As an outstanding athlete himself, he knew that not all were as talented and treated all his players with respect. He was particularly kind to me, allowing the opportunity to coach freshmen during my senior year and those players went on to form the core of the 65-66 championship. The last time I saw Jack was at my 50th reunion in 2013, where he was still sharp and welcoming to those who were members of that initial squad. A part of Carleton for seventy years Jack will be well remembered by all who knew him.
Coach Jack was such a comforting presence throughout my entire career. Whether we won or lost, he was always there to shake your hand after the game. His passion for the game and for life was always present. He was a great man and I'm proud to have known him.
I was greatly saddened to learn of Coach Jack's passing. I played basketball from 1968-71 and was a beneficiary of Jack's no cut/self cut policy. Jack was always respectful of his players and had an uncanny knack for getting the best out of even limited talent. He grasped the concept of Division III athletics but also recognized the importance of competition. I recall our road trips via the college station wagons to various locations in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. Jack was a maniac driver and was never slowed down by the weather-sleet, snow, rain or even a blizzard did not disrupt his "pedal-to-the metal" driving. But, through it all we somehow never had an accident! Godspeed, Jack (or maybe now you can take it a little slower than godspeed!) We will miss you, a truly great man!
I was deeply saddened to hear that we have lost Jack Thurnblad. We knew Jack in his “golden years.” He was a true gentleman of old-school values: kindness, generosity, and good humor. He was classy in a quiet, self-assured way. He was a raconteur and I always looked forward to seeing his warm smile and hearing another story about Carleton basketball. We were around-the-corner neighbors to Jack and Jinny for two decades, in their “home on the hill” at the corner of Nevada and 8th. I knew Jack through Carleton, as I saw him and Frank Wright at every basketball game at West Gym (watching games on the court that was eventually dedicated to him and to Jinny in a moving ceremony in 2008) and I would sometimes give him rides home in the snow after a game. I also knew him through St. Dominic’s Church and School. In 1964, Jack created the Father Dillon Trophy – named for a young charismatic priest who died of cancer – for the Most Valuable Player (Boys and Girls) in the 7th and 8th grades at St. Dominic’s school. The trophy is still a highly sought-after honor amongst the young athletes at the school over 50 years later. We honored Jack at the 2006 St. Dominic’s Athletic Awards Ceremony and the students listened in awe to his stories about the history of athletics at the school. I was privileged to have known Jack, as a neighbor, as a colleague and as a friend. They don't make 'em like Jack anymore. He’s got the best of our love.
Jack fit the mold of a shortstop as he flipped the ball to a rookie 2nd baseman for double plays during the 1952 season. He knew how to make rookies comfortable, and he did that throughout his life on and off the field. But not too comfortable. His desire to win made you lift your game.
Jack was terrific from beginning to end
I will never forget afternoons in Jack's living room over pie. His iconic tales of Chicago bookies, campus post-war, pro baseball endeavors, and Minneapolis Lakers offers left me in awe. Those stories were inferior to any mention of his family and the love of his life, Jinny. Jack always spoke of his wife in honor, often to the point of tears. It was special to be a witness of his unmatched passion, and for that I am grateful.
Best regards to coach Jack's extended family in the funeral service today in Northfield! I was hoping to drive down today and have a 9:30 to noon commitment today in the Twin Cities, and with the snow, want to respect the weather! I read Craigs remembrances above, and driving the blue college station wagons with me needing leg room and coach Jack in the other, driving the Iowa roads to Coe, Cornell, Grinnell are some of the memories I share ---grateful I was able to balance the level of play in Division III with Carleton's academic rigor, and have Jack's presence in my life from 1965- 69 ----We did connect on reunion weekends as '47 er, he has been 20 years my senior for quite a while now -----Hope we can keep the Coach Jack and the Blad stories alive in a good way---as I prepare to be on the program committee for my 50th in 2019
I see Coach Jack as one of my mentoring "Uncles", D/Lekshi in Dakhota/Lakhota tradition ----to support me in living a balanced life in a good way
Flexibility and balance --wicozani wo kiya --- healthy balance surrounded by the abundance in Creation Mitakuye Oyasin
We are all related in D/Lakohta Tom W Grateful recovering short person still standing tall :-) 2 meters 3 cm
Sadly, I missed Jack's coaching years, but I am so grateful for his many contributions to Carleton. I sure enjoyed watching the games in which he played.
Jack was coached at Carleton by our dad, Chet, and then Jack coached my brother Pat '64 and myself as an football assistant. He was a friend to all of our family. When my dad went with Wally Haas from Carleton to the U. of Chicago, I remember my dad listening to WCCO radio in 1959 in our suburban Chicago home to the Minnesota State basketball championship game that Jack coached Wayzata to a victory. He and Jinny were great friends to my folks and my brother and myself. I am still coaching high school cross country, and Jack got me into coaching when I was at Carleton--coaching basketball and baseball at St. Dominics.
I had a very special relationship with Jack. Despite never starting a basketball game before Carleton, Jack saw something and recruited me with what seemed like monthly letters from my HS junior Carleton visit to my matriculation 20 months later. Jack nicknamed me "Magic" upon arrival. Thirty years later, Northfielders still call me that when I walk down Division. And his dedication paid off as I started for him my senior year and was his assistant coach in his final year of coaching. He created a special trophy called "Mr. Perseverance". Jack recognized me as a "nice guy" who played a lot better when I was angry. So he would deliberately piss me off. It took me a year to realize he developed the tactic because he cared. His ultimate competitiveness may not have been duplicated in many Carleton students or faculty. But Jack's compassion represented Carleton well. Gotta keep my feet moving, so I "don't kill the varnish!"
I just learned the sad news of Jack's passing in the Alumni e-News today. Jack (The 'Blad) was a legend before, during, and after my time at Carleton. When I went to wrestling practice in the New Men's Gym, I remember fondly him playing Sweet Georgia Brown at basketball practice. I also remember fondly my freshman year when he coached our basketball team to a 9-9 record with a team that was deemed to have the shortest front court at 6' 3" or less, but was a terror to our opponents in applying a full court press on defense (known as Demon for zone, Rambler for man-to-man).
He was my coach only for golf for one spring (1973) when he graciously allowed me to play after I quit baseball. I'm glad I got the biography on him (Coach Jack) which I've barely begun, and which need to finish in the near feature. He'll be missed, but he left his imprint on all of us who knew him. God Bless him!
I learned just now, in the alumni news, of Jack's death. I had thought of going back for my 70th Carleton reunion just to visit with Jack, who was a friend of so many years. I can see him now on the CC basketball team, all of 5'9" or so, not much height but a lot of heart. I went to his wedding to Ginny White the week of graduation in 1948 - Ginny sadly gone a decade ago - what a grand pair they were. And what a grand guy he was of himself. A rare person - a nice guy - ethical - devout - loving - a true sportsman - there should be more like him. The comments above indicate how many Carls he influenced over the many years of his being there -
I forgot that Ginny preferred Jinny! They were were so devoted.
I had the privilege to play three years under Jack's tutelage. So many great memories ! Rest in peace, Coach.
Coach Turnblad was the very best coach I ever had. He brought out the very best in me in my time as a varsity player for Carleton. He will be sorely missed . Judge ( retired) Gary P Kramer
Thanks so much, Coach Thurnblad, for giving me my start in coaching, and just as you did, help students become men of influence and impact. I appreciate you.
A lot of folks forget that Coach Thurnblad was a longtime member of the NCAA Rules Committee--I believe the only Division 3 coach who served. So his passion for the game was never in question. I don't know if they run the wheel offense in college anymore, but those of us who sat used to chuckle when 'Blad was exhorting the troops to "run the wheel" out on the court because it didn't really fit the up-tempo style of play in the mid-70s. Nontheless, Coach was definitely a one-of-a-kind.
Jack drove us to golf tournaments in Wisconsin, Iowa and even Illinois. The music was always "beautiful" and the stories were legendary. He insisted on driving all the way, both ways. I wish I could remember Jack's story about the baseball player from Deer River....I heard it twice a year and we laughed every time. He was proud of his close friendship with Wally Ulrich who will always be Carleton's greatest golfer. For me, Jack will always be Carleton's athletic soul. Jack would razz us a little, in fun. As a sophomore, I bone-headedly ate Jack's lunch. At the banquet, he named me rookie of the year a second time. He was always nice to everyone and we all loved him. It was so nice to see him out on the golf course when I attended my 25th.
I played BB for Jack for four years in the mid-70s. I'm always impressed by the number of vivid memories I have of Jack on and off the court -- those long drives filled with stories, poker games at the house, frankly sharing his opinions on the night's referees. No doubt somewhere Jack is exhorting his fellow angels to "fake and get away"!
I was a player on Jack's Carleton basketball teams for two plus years, and I still have strong memories of those times. Like my Carleton classmate Joel Burlatsky, I remember the many road trips. The games were fun, but the many many hours of driving were not so much. Joel may recall that he would loudly complain after a few hours in a less than comfortable car seat. "My buns are killing me!" I also remember the "jet juice" that coach Jack had us drink just before each game. A high-phosphate drink? I don't remember for sure. He also had us do pre-game showers that alternated between really cold to really hot water aimed at our crotches. He said it would make a person more attentive and energetic for the game, but I'm not sure it helped our win/loss record! I really enjoyed being on Jack's Carleton basketball teams, but about half way through senior year I resigned. I was not getting much playing time, and I had lots of other career-oriented activities that needed attention. I think I damn near broke down crying when I went to Jack to tell him of my decision to quit. He quietly listened ... said he understood. We shook hands and parted friends! He's a person I will never forget.