Richard Chamberlin - Pacific Grove - Dies in a car accident

Coach dies after being hit by car - Posted on Sat, Feb. 11, 2006

Was on way home from wrestling tourney By CLARISSA ALJENTERA and JOHN DEVINE Herald Staff Writers Richard Chamberlin, a longtime track and field coach at Pacific Grove High School, crossed Sunset Drive thousands of times during the past 48 years. It was a quick walk to his home, across the street from the school where he taught science for nearly 35 years. Chamberlin, 72, was killed late Thursday while taking the familiar path home. Chamberlin was walking home after attending the Mission Trail Athletic League wrestling championships at Pacific Grove, an event he had coordinated, when he was hit by a car. Though he had retired as a teacher 12 years ago, Chamberlin was still wearing a path between his home and the high school, still coaching and directing other athletic events. "He probably made the walk 50 times a week," Pacific Grove Athletic Director Todd Buller said. "We're all in shock. He touched a lot of people." Grief counselors were on hand Friday for students and teachers. "Some kids went home," Buller said. "He had 40 kids on his cross country team this past fall. I think it's taken a while to sink in. But we're starting to feel the impact." Chamberlin was slated to begin his 49th season as a track coach at Pacific Grove on Monday as an assistant to Tom Light. It is uncertain when practice will start. Officers said Roger Holiday, the 74-year-old driver of the car that hit Chamberlin, apparently did not see Chamberlin in the crosswalk. Holiday was headed west on Sunset Drive, which is a part of Holman Highway. A driver behind Holiday said he saw someone in the crosswalk. But it was too late to stop, Pacific Grove Cmdr. Tom Uretsky said. Friday morning, Chamberlin's front porch light was still on and a rolled newspaper was sitting in his driveway. Neighbors on Sunset Drive were shocked when they heard about the accident. Moe Ammar, who has lived next door to Chamberlin for seven years, heard tires screeching from inside his home. When he and his wife, Trina, ran outside, they found Chamberlin unconscious. A neighbor gave Chamberlin a blanket and clutched his hand while he lay in the street. "(Chamberlin) should have died a peaceful death in his bed," Trina Ammar said. She said Chamberlin sent her flowers when she and her husband celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary last year. When asked, Chamberlin told Ammar to "expect to get one bouquet each month for a year because it's quite a task being married for 25 years." Despite retiring as a teacher 12 years ago, Chamberlin remained the head cross country coach and was an assistant in track, where he continued as meet director of the annual Pacific Grove Rotary Invitational. "It broke my heart when I heard about it," Carmel track coach John Ables said. "He was old school and I like old school. He was about sacrifice and giving. I already miss him." Pacific Grove canceled all sporting events and a school play Friday in memory of Chamberlin. "That guy was an institution," said Mike Ramirez, former track and cross country coach at Gonzales High. "When you think of track and field and how to do things right, you think of Richard Chamberlin. It's put a damper on this season. It's puts things in perspective." Chamberlin had the distinction of coaching a Central Coast Section champion boys cross country team in 1974, when there were no divisions. He also coached long jumper Johnny Johnson, who holds the Monterey County record with a leap of 25 feet, 2 inches in 1964. Last year, the Mission Trail Athletic League changed its annual League Relays meet to the Richard Chamberlin Invitational. Chamberlin made up the league schedules for all sports in the Mission Trail, Monterey Bay and Tri-County Athletic leagues. "He's irreplaceable," Ken Kline, King City's athletic director, said. "He's the heart and soul of high school sports. He kept the train running on time. He never said a negative thing about anyone." During school Friday, a student and runner of Chamberlin's brought in a biography that he had written about his coach for people to read and reminisce. "He is the most sufficient person we've had at this school in the last 50 years," Buller said. "I'm trying to remember all the positives. Because there are so many." Services are pending. Staff writer Larry Parsons contributed to this report. 



From Pacific Grove's web site (www.pghs.org ) 

Richard Chamberlain 

It is with heavy hearts and overwhelming sadness that the Pacific Grove 
Unified School District and Pacific Grove High School mourn the passing 
of Richard Chamberlain. Richard passed away after being struck by a car 
while walking home from a Wrestling Tournament. Some solace can be found 
in the fact that Richard was on his way home after finishing doing what 
he loved to do, helping students at Pacific Grove High School. 

Richard Chamberlain has been an iconic fixture at Pacific Grove High School 
for the past 48 years. Richard was a teacher, coach and role model for 
students and staff. He was the most recognized and honored coach in the 
history of Pacific Grove High School. He coached 10 League Championship 
Teams, 2 Central Coast Section Champions and was named a Central Coast 
Section Honor Coach for Cross Country. He was voted as one of the top 25 
coaches in Monterey County for the past 100 years. He has coached Track 
for many years, as well as Wrestling. He has been a leader statewide in 
Cross Country and Track for the past 40 years. 

In the nearly half a century Richard has been at Pacific Grove High 
School he has touched the lives of thousands of students. His love for 
athletics and commitment to students is unmatched. His student/athletes 
will not only remember the high quality coaching they received from 
Richard but will also remember the season ending �montage parties�. 
When the team members would come to his house to make a montage of 
the season pictures and bake chocolate chip cookies. Richard complained 
of the �mess those kids made of my kitchen�, but it was always said with 
a wry smile and touch of pride.

Richard will be deeply missed by Pacific Grove High School and the city of Pacific Grove. 



Sent to CCS commissioner on 2/10/06

I received a call at 10:30 last evening from Tom Light, teacher and track coach from PG high. 
He broke the sad news to me that Richard Chamberlin was struck and killed by a car on the 
way home from the Wrestling tournament at PG. I am still in shock, grief stricken by the news. 
I have no other details at this time, I just know what a blessing this man was to high school sports, 
the ethics of fairness, the selflessness of always being there for meetings, scheduling, revisions, 
all elements to keep the sports train running and afloat. He was a colleague and mentor, and a 
good friend for 20 years. He will be missed, in more ways than I can count. 

Best regards, 
Steve Peters

P.S. I plan on sending/talking to Todd Buller about what I and our school can do for PG, should they 
require any help in any way.