Dr. Harold J. Frey

Dr. Harold J. Frey
Dr. Harold Jacob Frey, 90, of El Sobrante, Calif., passed away at home on Monday, Oct. 20, in his home. His daughter Pam was by his side and he was at peace. Hal had been in failing health for the last two years.
He was the husband of Wilma (Heiple) Frey. Born in Lehighton, he was a son of the late Charles and Mary (Kistler) Frey. Hal's love of gymnastics began in high school; he graduated in 1942. He went on to graduate from Penn State University. At Penn State, he competed on two National Amateur Athletic Union (NAAU) championship teams, one Eastern Intercollegiate Gymnastic League (EIGL) championship team and won gold in tumbling at the NAAU competition in 1944. He won three additional medals in tumbling at NAAU competitions. In the vaulting event, Hal won three NAAU medals.An all-around athlete, Hal was a member of the Penn State wrestling team and placed third in his weight class in the EIWL Championships. He also was a pole-vaulter and placed second and third in every meet.
There was no Olympic competition in 1944 due to World War II, but Hal was selected as an Honorary 1944 Olympic Team member by the National Collegiate Gymnastics Alumni Association (NCGAA) based on his fourth place AA performances at the National AAU competitions in 1944 and 1945.
Hal coached at the University of Illinois, Chicago (UIC), for 10 years, leading his men to team gold three times in the Midwest Open Championships, the NAAU Championships, (1949), and four undefeated seasons. A versatile coach, he coached soccer at UIC for three years, only losing two games total. His UIC soccer team was undefeated and won the Midwest Soccer Championship (1956).
In 1952, in Chicago, Hal met and married the love of his life, Wilma Heiple. In 1957, he moved his family to California so he could start the next chapter in his coaching career.
He served the University of California - Berkeley Golden Bear gymnastics program for more than four decades, including 27 years as head coach from 1958-69 and 1971-83. He earned NCAA Coach of the Year honors three times in his career and led Cal to NCAA team titles in both 1968 and '75. The Golden Bears won 12 Pac-8 Conference championships under his guidance.
Hal was a tenacious competitor and a master of strategy. He led Cal to 10 undefeated seasons between 1961 and '78 and posted a 238-39 dual-meet record during his tenure, including an 89 meet-win streak over a nine-year period. He oversaw 13 individual NCAA title-winners, six Olympians and one world champion.
Hal was instrumental in helping to galvanize college coaches and administrators who eventually replaced the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) with the U.S. Gymnastics Federation (USGF) when the Federation International Gymnastic (FIG) recognized the USGF as the national governing body for U.S.A. gymnastics. The USGF later changed its name to U.S.A. Gymnastics.
Hal judged and was involved in the judging process for 58 years. He judged local high school meets, Jr. Olympic competitions, college dual meets, NCAA and NAAU Championships, Olympic trials, international meets such as the Goodwill Games, Pacific Alliance Games and the American Cup Championships. He also served as chair of the NCAA Rules Committee.
Hal was recognized over and over for his dedication to gymnastics and the pursuit of excellence. Humble and modest, he was always amazed when a governing body singled him out for an award. perhaps one of the best stories is the time in 1998 when he received the Service Star Award from USA Gymnastics for its "appreciation for outstanding contribution in the area of men's gymnastics." At the end of the championship competition held in Indianapolis, Ind., the award was to be given out at a banquet. The award was to have been a surprise, but Hal unwillingly ruined that plan by telling gymnastics officials that he didn't plan to stay for the entire competition. "I wasn't going to stay the whole week, but the guy called me and said it was supposed to be a surprise; he had to tell me," Hal said.
Hal was also a passionate fly fisherman, golfer and college instructor.
In addition to his bachelor's degree, he also earned his master's and Ph.D. degrees.
He always took the time to write encouraging and kind notes in the birthday cards he and Wilma sent out to family members and friends. They opened their home throughout the years to those who needed temporary housing.
Hal traveled extensively and he always looked forward to fishing trips in Canada and Alaska.
Surviving in addition to his widow are a daughter, Pamela Sue (Frey) Armer of Richmond, Calif.; two stepsons, Terry (Lissa) Newton of Lakeville, Ind., and Donald (Nancy) Newton of Plymouth, Ind.; three grandsons, Christopher, T.J. and Tim; and two great-grandsons, Tyler and Donovan. Throughout the years, they were all fortunate to spend time with him.
Hal and Wilma returned almost every summer to Lehighton so he could maintain his strong connection to his hometown. They also spent time in the Chicago area visiting with Wilma's sister, Dorothy Judd, and her four daughters, and frequently stopped in Arkansas to see Wilma's brother, Loren Heiple, and his wife, Bonnie.
When he retired, he and Wilma built a summer home at the edge of the Frey family farm in Lehighton. He loved the annual Frey reunion.
Hal was one of 12 children. Also left to cherish his memory are his siblings, Carrie Stewart, Myrtle Creitz, William "Willie" (Edna) Frey and Marlin (Betty) Frey, all of Lehighton, Charles "Chuck" (Narene) Frey of Andreas, Donald Frey of Levittown, Kermit Frey in Florida and Norwood "Woody" (Joan) Frey of Newtown; and many nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Paul Frey, Nevin Frey and Russell Frey.
Service: A celebration of life service will be held at a later date. Per Hal's wishes, cremation has taken place.
Contributions in his name may be made to the following fund that is already established at the University of California - Berkeley: The Dr. Harold Frey Scholarship for Men's Gymnastics,
Cal Athletics Department - Attn: Kevin McCormick, 195 Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, Calif. 94720-4422. Please be sure to send a note directing your donation to the Dr. Harold Frey Scholarship for Men's Gymnastics fund.
The family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been a part of Hal's wonderful life. Deep in our hearts, Hal will always stay, loved and remembered every day.
Portions of the wording in this obituary were found on the following websites. His career and contributions to the sport of gymnastics are well-documented. http://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30100&ATCLID=209732009; http://www.usghof.org/files/bio/h_frey/h_frey.html; and http://articles.mcall.com/1998-09-10/news/3209200_1_usa-gymnastics-harold-frey-gymnastics-team.