Donald Wallace Stalwick

Donald Wallace Stalwick

Don Stalwick, 83, of Claremont passed away on May 7, 2014 in Claremont, California. Don was born on August 19, 1930 in Aberdeen, Washington. He grew up in Wallace, Idaho, and was graduated from Wallace High School in 1949, where he was a member of state championship teams in football, basketball, and track. As a result of his outstanding performance in the all-Idaho football game in the summer of 1949, he was offered a football scholarship to UCLA. He had not studied a foreign language in high school, so he spent the fall semester of 1949 attending Chaffey College where he excelled in football and studied foreign language. In 1950 he transferred to UCLA, where he played football as a starting running back for four years, including the 1954 Rose Bowl game. Upon graduation from UCLA, he was offered a professional football contract by the San Francisco 49ers, but was not able to sign with them because he was required to report to the U. S. Navy for active duty. He was a member of the U. S. Navy ROTC at UCLA and was commissioned as an officer upon graduation. While in the Navy, he played football on the COMPHIBPAC team in San Diego which won the 11th Naval District Championship in 1954. Following his service in the Navy, he earned a master's degree at UCLA and coached football at Hart High School in Newhall, UCLA, University of Utah, University of Colorado, and Claremont McKenna College. After his career in college coaching, he taught, counseled, and for over 20 years served as associate principal and interim principal at Upland High School. Don was awarded membership in the athletic halls of fame of Chaffey College, Upland High School, and Wallace High School. He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at UCLA.
Don married Doreen Davis in 1952. They had three children, Dawn, Kimberly, and Kent. In 1982, he married Natalie Bowen. Before and after retirement from UHS, he enjoyed travel throughout the U. S. and the world, home and away UCLA Bruin football games, and home improvement projects. He was preceded in death by his daughter Kimberly Stalwick as well as his parents Opal and Bill Stalwick, who resided in Ontario. He is survived by his wife Natalie of Claremont, his daughter Dawn Rametta, son-in-law Joe Rametta, and grandsons Trevor (Julia) Rametta and Justin (Liis) Rametta and great grandson Oskar Rametta, all of Park City, UT; by his son Kent Stalwick and daughter-in-law Diane Stalwick of Claremont, and his grandsons Michael (Ryann) Stalwick of Austin, TX, Brad Stalwick of Rancho Cucamonga, Patrick Stalwick of San Luis Obispo, Jake and Kyle Stalwick of Claremont as well as his great granddaughter Kylee of Austin.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 23 at 2:00 p.m. at Claremont United Church of Christ Congregational, 233 Harrison Ave., Claremont. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, the American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.