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Robert Kalbaugh Obituary
"Bill"
husband of Margaret (Peg) Kalbaugh passed away on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at home. He is also survived by his children, Bill Kalbaugh (Sharon) of Greensboro, NC and Mary Ann (Chuck) Naso of Chambersburg, PA; three grandsons Michael (Jennifer), Daniel (Rebecca) and Robert (Carole); a granddaughter, Kathryn; and his sister, Carolyn Aldrich of Mechanicville, NY as well as a niece and nephews. His family also counts among his survivors, the many loyal basketball players from RPI and Mechanicville High School whom he always called "his kids." Bill was the son of the late Aubrey and Irene Kalbaugh.
Bill Kalbaugh enjoyed a great coaching career as well as personal success as an athlete. He played basketball, baseball and football at Mechanicville High School. Bill moved on to Springfield College in Massachusetts where he majored in physical education and continued playing basketball and baseball on his college teams. While a student at Springfield, his baseball talents drew the attention of the legendary Branch Rickey who recruited Bill for the Brooklyn Dodger's organization. During his summer breaks from college he played for the Durham (NC) Bull's in the Dodger's farm system.
With the advent of World War II, Bill joined the Navy after college graduation and was assigned to Sampson Naval Base in the Finger Lakes where he continued playing baseball and basketball on the Sampson base teams. When the war ended, Bill re-joined the Dodger organization and was sent to their team in Nashua, New Hampshire. That team was managed by future Dodger major league manager, Walter Alston; two of Bill's teammates were Dodger greats Roy Campanella and Don Newcomb. When a shoulder injury ended the baseball career of this shortstop, Bill returned to Springfield College for his master's degree.
After one year coaching high school and teaching physical education in Guilford, Connecticut, Bill returned to his alma mater Mechanicville High School as a teacher and coach. It was there that his skills as a basketball coach came to the forefront. Twice his Mechanicville squads won the Section II, Class B crown. His "Whiz Kids" won thirty straight and thirty-eight out of thirty-nine games. Bill and the "Whiz Kids" still remain in the happy memories of many proud Mechanicville natives.
After success as a high school coach, Bill took his coaching and teaching talents to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy where he remained for thirty-four years. His RPI teams won seven league titles and qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament four times. While at RPI, he was awarded the Howard Schoenfield Sportsmanship Award by the College Basketball Officials Association. He was named the Capital District Coach of the Year in 1970 and District I College Coach of the Year in 1975. The basketball coaching suite in the new RPI sports complex is named for him.
Bill was inducted into the RPI Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986. In 2005, he was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame.
Throughout the years Bill has been an avid golfer. At age 57 he was the oldest golfer to win the men's club championship at Troy Country Club. Bill and his wife Peg (Frawley) moved to Elmira, NY upon his retirement from RPI.
Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Monday, September 16, 2013 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 8:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 1100 W. Church Street, Elmira. Military honors will be held outside of the church after the Mass. Interment will take place in St. Peter's Cemetery, Wellsboro PA.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Kalbaugh
September 12, 2014
Mrs. Kalbaugh and Family,
Belated condolences. He was a great role model and influence on my coaching career. He will be misses.
John and Kathy Quattrocchi
October 18, 2013
Dear Peg and Family,
It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of coach Bill Kalbaugh. As a student athlete entering RPI at the age of 17, I was apprehensive in view of the difficulties in the road ahead. Bill certainly eased the path and provided invaluable guidance in a competitive world. In all of my athletic endeavors, he was the best and most influential coach and I am proud to have had him as a friend. The lessons learned from his teaching have lasted a lifetime. Discipline, integrity, preparation and respect for your opponents were instilled in me by Bill's intelligent and creative influence. These principals were repeatedly relied on during my career as a patent attorney and litigating cases up through the Supreme Court of the United States. I was fortunate to have him as a coach and mentor on the freshman baseball team and the varsity basketball team. Two of my most pleasing events in recent years involved Bill. Being inducted on the same evening into the RPI Athletic Hall of Fame with Coach Kalbaugh proved to be extra rewarding. Also, I was pleased to support, be present and introduce Bill and Peg at the dedication of the coach's lounge in the new athletic center in Bill's name. On a more personal note, Bill's interest in the well-being of his athletes was always apparent. My wife remembers her first introduction to the coach quite well. We were dating at the time and attended an RPI basketball game some years after graduation. In talking with Bill, he inquired as to why I was not yet married. When I was slow to respond, he turned to Lynne and said “what's wrong with this one?”. Of course, my wife has never forgotten that occasion even after 47 years of marriage, four children and ten grandchildren. I have fond memories of the basketball games in the late 50's including the presence of Bill's family in support, particularly Billy shooting baskets at half time. Lynne and I send our most heartfelt condolences on the loss an exceptional man who had great influence on my life and I'm sure on the lives of many others. May he rest in peace in God's hands.
Charlie and Lynne Hoffmann
October 2, 2013
Dear Peg and family...Bill Kalbaugh was a great coach, friend, leader and example of all the qualities that we all aspire to but seldom achieve. He could be demanding in practice and then hold the team bus to allow me to pick up my co captain who overslept so we could go to Boston and beat MIT. Or after a loosing effort at the U. of Rochester, my hometown, allow us to use the team bus to meet with friends at the U of R Nursing school. (sworn not to tell that tale...hope you forgive me Billy)
All the while, he kept up our spirits through the rigorous academic schedule...we looked forward to his humor and discipline at practice which kept us going. But Bill's caring extended off the court; he even made arrangements to have my tonsils out after bouts with strep throat and stopped to see me just minutes after the surgery. He truly cared! He never stopped caring. At our 25th reunion he took time from a busy schedule to meet my wife and then gave her a golf lesson which remains a found memory today. Billy, you represent all that is good in the world and we will miss you deeply.
Rudy and Susan Nessel Class of 58
September 20, 2013
Bill and Mary Anne: the Sheeran family sends you our deepest sympathies. I live in Buffalo and actually just moved our mom here at 90 years of age. We know the loss of the dearest man in life. We find out and hear from people still about the wonderful things he did for others, quietly and without fanfare. I know your Dad was one of those men. Our hearts are with you. Anne Sheeran Jakubowski
September 19, 2013
Billy, I mourn your Dad's death. He was a wonderful person who helped give me some roots while I attended RPI. I worked for him as freshman baseball manager and as varsity basketball manager and his players loved and respected him. They applauded his teaching. I was fortunate to attend his induction into the NY coaching HOF and enjoyed talking to him. As an aside I remember you well as a consumate gym rat who shot baskets with me for much of the practice. Please give my blessings to your entire family.
Bob Andrejko
Chick Matties
September 18, 2013
Very sorry to hear one of my favorite people of all time passed away. Great coach, great teacher, but most of all, great man. I have missed not being around Coach since my RPI days, and now I will miss him even more. Condolences to his family and friends.
Carey & Peggy Dassatti
September 18, 2013
Dear Peg, Maryann and Billy,
Coach was the ultimate leader. teacher and gentleman. He impacted the lives of tens of thousands including me. Thank you for sharing Coach with us.
Ned Connally
September 18, 2013
To the Kalbaughfamily,
I was very saddened to hear of Bill's passing. I always admired him both as a coach and as a man. I first met Bill in the late fifties when his good friend Bill Carley scheduled a scrimmage between RPI and CCHS.
Ned Connally
Sandy Claydon-Dickson
September 18, 2013
Dear Peg, Maryann and Billy,
I remember your family so well when you lived on the next street in Mechanicville. Always loved going over to play with Maryann and when her parents came into the room that lit it up. Such a warm loving family. My best to your mother and cherish the times you had with them. I'm missing the "good old days".
September 18, 2013
To the Kalbaugh Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. What a wonderful man and role model for me as I began my coaching career. Please accept my family's heartfelt sympathy.
With sympathy,
John Quattrocchi and Family
Jack Mastronardi
September 17, 2013
My prayers for Coach Kalbaugh and sympathies to family. As my coach, he chided, cajoled, pleaded and agonized for three years over my development toward manhood. I know first hand that "Bill loved his kids."
September 17, 2013
Bill Kalbaugh was a great friend and companion in my younger days. He was a true gentleman and a great competitor. Defeating my buddy Rich Serian in the TCC club championship remains one of the biggest upsets in the annals of the club. Every time I've thought of Mr. Kalbaugh over the years has always brought a smile to my face. We'll all miss him.
Joe Geiger
September 17, 2013
My deepest sympathy on the loss of Bill. My prayers and thoughts are with all the Kalbaughs.
Eric Schofield
September 17, 2013
To the Kalbaugh family, I am sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was a class individual, that left his mark at RPI. Rest in peace, coach.
September 17, 2013
Billy, Maryann and Peg,
My thoughts and prayers are with you today. Bill and I had many conversations from the early 50's right up to time of the opening of RPI new athletic facility. The times when Billy would practice at RPI as a young kid. The times at the golf course, or the days of the CD Basketball Tournaments. Our when I would work out for baseball in the two gyms while Bill was running practice. We have lost a family man who had it all. RIP BILL
September 17, 2013
Our sincers condolences to Oeg and Bill's family.
Bill was EVERYTHING a GREAT coach should be.
Pat&Tom Griffin - RPI
Jack McLoughlin
September 16, 2013
Mrs. Kalbaugh, Billy, Mary Ann and family.
The McLoughlin family feels so blessed to have grown up on Lavin Court with the Kalbaugh family. So many happy memories! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, that God is filling your hearts with His peace and comfort.
September 16, 2013
Dear Peg, Billy and Maryann,
To know Bill was to love him. The love he had for his family, the game, the players and coaches and his respect for the importance of academics will always be remembered by all who had the pleasure of having him in their lives. We miss the countless times, after a game, sitting in some restaurant in Troy, using salt and pepper shakers as players, mapping out the next strategy or rehashing what we had achieved in the game that night. Coach Kalbaugh will be sorely missed but the many memories of him will forever remain in our hearts. His wit still brings a smile to our faces. God Bless your family in this time of sadness. Ken and Charmaine Slonis
September 16, 2013
Billy,
My families thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. He always took time to say hello which is missing in the world today.
Bill Howe
September 16, 2013
I extend my deepest sympathies to Mrs Kalbaugh and family on the death of Coach K. To me there is only one Coach K. I played for him in the late 60's early 70's and he was certainly one of a kind. We had a team reunion at RPI in 2005 and Coach had planned on being with us. A snowstorm kept him from attending. While we enjoyed seeing each other after all of the years, everyone was extremely disappointed that our coach and mentor could not be with us to share in stories that he had such a knack at telling. What a full life he led, and how proud his family should be that he had such a positive influence over so many young men. Thank you Coach for all you did for me.
Jack Weaver
September 16, 2013
Peg,Bill,Mary Ann & families,
Sorry to hear about Bill.I was so pleased to see him at his induction into the Capital District Basketball Hall of Fame dinner in June,2012.It well deserved.He was a credit to RPI and the community.A great coach and a role model to many,including yours truly,even though I played at Siena when we played RPI in the late '50's.My late wife,Anne[RN like you Peg at St Mary's Hospital] always enjoyed your company at various functions.You would talk bout nursing & Bill& I would talk about basketball.My prayers and sympathy to all.May he rest in peace.
Jack Weaver
September 16, 2013
I met Bill during freshman orientation week at the 86 gym and played for him for
4 years at RPI.
What a great man and sharp dresser he was. Bill was all class! He will be greatly missed by all.
Leon Seibel - class of 64
September 15, 2013
Sorry to hear of Bill's passing.
Carol Waldron
Peter Vanderzee
September 15, 2013
To: Peg and Family of Coach Kalbaugh:
As one of Coach's early players at RPI, I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Bill was instrumental in my development as a player, but more importantly, as a student. Despite being a professional athlete, Bill always knew he wasn't coaching NBA players at RPI. He was proud of our academic and career achievements, which, after all, turned into the most important part of our journey from boys to men under his watchful eye. His former players ("kids") will never forget his desire for us to do well in the classroom, but he also instilled a will to win on the court. Many of his verbal expressions were priceless and remain with us even after 45 years. I can say without exaggeration that my 4 years with Bill Kalbaugh were just as important to my life and career as any of the professors at RPI. Thanks Bill -you were a terrific coach, a trusted mentor and a loyal friend. Your memory will stay fresh with all of your former "kids" from RPI.
Dick Heck
September 15, 2013
Peg, Maryann and Billy
I am sorry for your loss and the fact that I will not be able to attend the services for my coach, my mentor and my dear friend. He certainly lived a full life and I wonder if he ever knew how deeply he affected the lives of the young people who were fortunate to be in his charge for awhile. I am one of those people who has a great life today thanks in large part to the guidance and support that Bill gave to me. I hope that while I can't attend Bill's services, someone will give a special hug to Peg and tell her that that hug came with love from her "other son", Dick Heck.
Paul O'Keefe
September 15, 2013
Margaret And Children Of Legendary Basketball Coach William (Bill) Kalbaugh. So Very Sorry To Hear Of Coach's Passing. He Certainly Put M.H.S. And R.P.I. Basketball On The Map. Was Happy To Be An Escort With His 'Whiz Kids' When They Were Awarded Trips To The Big Apple. R.I.P. COACH.
Harry Connell
September 15, 2013
Mrs. K, Maryann, Will and families ... a fond rush of memories growing up in the Beman/Frear Park area at the news of Mr. K's passing.It was good to have known him and his family. Best wishes and sincere condolences to all.
September 15, 2013
Willie,Sharon, Maryann,Mrs. Kalbaugh
So sorry to hear about your Dad/husband. He was a great husband,father,coach and human being.Sorry we won't be able to attend the services, you are all in our prayers.
Deb& Dave Murray
Bobbi Jo Meagher
September 15, 2013
We loved Mr. Kalbaugh. We have been neighbors for about 10 years. Couldn't ask for anyone nicer. Loved to hear all his stories about his life, he lived a very interesting life, did many thing. Mr. Kalbaugh you will be missed...... Love The Meaghers
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