University of Minnesota Athletics
Former Gopher Great Harold VanEvery Passes Away at 89
8/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Harold VanEvery, 1994 inductee into the University of Minnesota Athletics Hall of Fame, died peacefully at his home in Minneapolis on August 11 of natural causes. He was 89 years of age.
VanEvery enjoyed a stellar career with the Golden Gophers football team (1936-39) as an all conference halfback. Dubbed a "triple threat" for his ability to run, pass & kick, he was named team MVP in 1939, the year he led the nation with nine interceptions. He was a member of two Big Ten Championship teams, and for the rest of his life would speak of how honored he was to play for coach Bernie Bierman. Harold also lettered in basketball at the U, and was named an honorary team captain in January 2007. He was awarded the Big 10 Medal for Excellence in Athletics & Academics, and was inducted into the University of MN Hall of Fame in 1994. After graduation, Harold was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the NFL draft. He played for two seasons under coach Curly Lambeau until the outbreak of WWII.
Following the 1941 season, he drafted into the Army and began flying with the US Army Air Corps in 1942, the year he married Drexel Kay Weck of Slayton, MN. Together they traveled to several US air bases as he continued his flight training as well as playing for the 2nd Air Force Superbombers football team. On May 12th, 1944, while piloting his 9th mission over Frankfurt, Capt. VanEvery's B-17 "flying fortress" was shot down. He sustained a serious back injury during bailout and spent the next year in a P.O.W. camp in Poland. Upon return to the US after the war, he attained the rank of Major. Harold and Drexel settled in SW Mpls in 1946, where they raised two children, Dale & Kay. For the next 57 years, Harold built a successful career as a Chartered Life Underwriter for Bankers Life Insurance (later Principal Financial Group).
He was a lifetime qualified member of the "Million Dollar Round Table" and was selected as a permanent member of the Bankers Life Presidents Round Table, based on production & service to his clients. On the 25th Anniversary of his college graduation, Harold was honored by Sports Illustrated as a member of the Silver All-American team for his community work. He was active in the Big Brothers Organization, on the board of YMCA Camp Warren, and involved at Knox Presbyterian Church as usher, Sunday School teacher, & member of the session. He was also a member of the Zuhrah Shrine, Wayzata Lodge #205, American Legion Post 118, the P.O.W.'s of Mpls/St. Paul and the 8th Air Force (447th bomb group). He was especially proud of being named a Wayzata Distinguished Alumni as he maintained a close relationship with his hometown. Harold enjoyed tennis, fishing and golf through most of his life. A member of Golden Valley Golf Club for 60 years, he recently shot an 86 at age 89.
He and Drexel were also avid Gopher sports fans, rarely missing a football or basketball game in 60 years. He was also a wonderful piano player. On July 27, 2007, the VanEvery's celebrated 65 years of marriage, where Harold entertained family & friends on the piano. A devoted husband, father & friend, a highly disciplined worker & role model to those around him, Harold led a truly amazing life, yet the word that would best describe him is "humble". He always made a point of telling people how lucky he was.
As a young man in the early 1930's, Harold helped lead the Wayzata High School football & basketball teams to several Lake Conference Championships. He'd already started working, at age 8, delivering the Mpls Tribune & caddying at nearby Lafayette golf course, earning his way to the University of Minnesota. Today, friends & family, all those whose lives he touched, feel they are the lucky ones for having known him. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. J.B. VanEvery & his sister, Dorothy. He is survived by his wife, Drexel; son, Dale (Josephine); daughter, Kay; and grandsons, David & Joshua.
Memorials preferred to Henry L. Williams Scholarship Fund (U of M), 15th Ave. SE & 6th St., Mpls, MN 55414, or Big Brothers & Big Sisters of MN, or YMCA Camp Warren. Interment Wayzata, MN. Services Wednesday, 10 AM at Knox Presbyterian Church, 48th & Lyndale Ave. S. Reviewal 1 hour before service at church & Tuesday, 4-8 PM at: Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996 West 50th St. & Hwy 100
