Robert Henry Stangel

1940 - 2018

ROBERT HENRY STANGEL
Robert "Bob" Stangel was born in a small farm house in Orchard, Nebraska on October 7, 1940. He was the second child of Frank George Stangel and Aileen Veronica Feichtinger, both of German, Catholic descent. His education began in a small public school in Tecumseh, where he attended kindergarten through the eleventh grade. The Stangel family then moved to San Diego, California, where he attended St. Augustine High School, a Catholic, all boys' school. After graduating from high school, he received an athletics scholarship from the University of Oregon, where he attended from 1958-1959. He then transferred to Lower Columbia, Washington, in 1959. From 1959 to 1960, he attended Chaffey College in California. In 1960 to 1964, he attended Long Beach State, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education in 1964.
Bob was the quarterback for his college football team, and during that time, he met his wife, Elaine Renee Stangel. He earned his Master's degree in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific College in 1973. Bob began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Cantwell High School from 1964 to 1967. He then accepted a teaching/coaching position from 1967 to 1972 at Notre Dame High School in Riverside, California. Bob led Notre Dame to a CIF title in 1970. In 1973, he accepted a coaching position at Sunnyvale High School. From 1974 to 1999, he served as the Head football coach at Mt. San Jacinto College. During his tenure, Bob was named Conference Coach of the year seven times, and Region III Coach of the Year three times. In 1998, he was named State Coach of the Year. When he retired after the 1999 season, the Eagles were ninth in the nation, and fourth in the state in the power rankings.
Bob was added to the State Coaches' Hall of Fame, and in 2010, was inducted into the inaugural MSJC Hall of Fame. In 2013, the Hemet Sportsman's Club created a "Stangel Trophy" award that is presented annually to the San Jacinto Valley's top senior football player. Bob dedicated many service hours to his coaching profession by serving as the California Community College Football Coaches Association Membership Chairman/Treasurer from 1975 to 2011. In 1998, he was named the CCCFCA State Coach of the Year, and in 2003, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Bob instilled pride and motivation into his football teams, and is best described as a hard worker and a player's coach. He was forced into retirement due to a medical condition and was diagnosed with Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, a pulmonary disease. He received a lung transplant at UCSD, and enjoyed good health for 14 years during his retirement.
During his retirement, he, his wife, and daughter worked together at Supporting Unlimited Possibilities Inc., an organization that provides services and support for adults who have developmental disabilities. In November 2017, Elaine, his wife of 57 years, passed away. Grieving his loss, he joined his true love on Valentine's Day, 2018. Bob leaves behind his daughter, Debby Stangel; his son, Robert Stangel Jr., and his four grandchildren, Chasen and Savannah Stangel, and John and Katie Joseph.
Services will be held at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, located at 4205 Mulberry St. Riverside, CA 92501. Rosary will be held on February 27th at 6 pm. Individuals will have the opportunity to share personal experiences and memories after the rosary. On February 28th, the funeral service will be held at 6 pm and a reception will follow. Graveside services will be private for family.