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UHEF & Uni News

24

Jan, 2017

Coach Dick Kampmann: 1925-2017

By: | Tags: | Comments: 5

[Posted Jan. 24, 2017] One of University High School’s legendary teachers has passed away. A note sent to friends last night stated:

“With deep sadness, this message is to inform you that Coach Dick Kampmann passed away this afternoon at 2:12 p.m. at his home in Santa Monica. He was with family at the end and at age 92, lived a full and meaningful life. He and [wife] Deb are now once more united, forever.

“[Son] Bill Stimming is now busy making the necessary arrangements and there will be a memorial service for Coach in the near future; we will share the details as soon as available.

“Coach’s passing is lightened by the knowledge that his contribution to so many lives was recognized and the affection returned by hundreds of his alumni, co-workers and friends for his 90th birthday two years ago and last year’s honors at Uni, culminating in the naming of the athletic field where he did so much for so many as Kampmann Stadium. There is no possible way to calculate the contribution he made to thousands of lives, one at a time, one workout at a time, one lesson at a time, in sport and for life.”

Kampmann was the cross country and head track & field coach at Uni from 1960-85 and was easily the most successful coach in the school’s history. His teams won eight All-City Championships in Cross Country (7: 1974, 1975 and 1980 varsity boys; 1981 junior varsity boys; 1977 10th grade boys; 1979 and 1985 girls) and Track & Field (1: 1970 boys), 24 All-City individual titles, 77 Western League team championships, 252 Western League individual titles and 875 dual-meet victories.

After a short stint in administration at Uni, he became the Pepperdine Cross Country coach from 1989-2005.

Beloved by his athletes as well as students in his physical education classes, Kampmann served as the department chair for physical education at Uni for most of his tenure there. He was honored with a retirement dinner in 1985, with a surprise 90th birthday party at Pepperdine University in 2015 and the naming of the renovated field and track at Uni as “Kampmann Stadium” the same year. A plaque commemorating his success and the naming of the stadium for him was presented at a luncheon in May 2016 (pictured below).

Kampmann-Patton plaques 379x750

Funeral arrangements will be private, but a celebration of Coach K’s life will be held on campus in the near future. Details will be posted on this site, as well as in issues of the UHEF Warriors & Wildcats Report.

Comments

5 thoughts on “Coach Dick Kampmann: 1925-2017

  1. John

    Loved the man. Was my coach at UNI from 1967-1969. I know the following feel the same way: Mike Chan, Kelvin Ritchie, Joel Singer, Steve Baum (RIP), Steve Chase, Fred Bialy, Mike Gardner, Vasquez, and John Stathum. So long coach and thanks so much being a great mentor.

    Reply

    • Kelvin

      I was a member of coach K’s XC and track teams from 1968 to 1969. Unlike my team mates mentioned by John I joined the JV XC team after being at UNI for a year. If it wasn’t for Coach K and my team mates I wouldn’t have made it through high school.

      Reply

  2. Fletcher

    Coach Kampmann gave me the ability to build endurance and stamina.

    Running the “Swedish” twice in on class period was a challenge indeed.

    Thank you for the gift of life more abundantly!!

    I will run the way of Your Commandments, when GOD shall enlarge my heart. Psalms

    Dona Nobis Pacem Coach K.

    Fletcher Class of ’72

    Reply

  3. Zoltan Hargitay

    Coach Kampman Gave me the Ability an Knowlege to Train , Long Jump, 440 an The Mile, He Sure was a Swell Man an Friend , Never Yelled or talk down to Anyone…. He Has left a never ending inspiration an Confidence in Life Forward, Thank You , Coach …. Sincerly Zoltan Hargitay , Class of 79 University high School

    Reply

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