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Richard Pakkala
1940 - 2021
Richard Pakkala
1940 - 2021
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Richard Pakkala Obituary
Arapahoe, NC - Richard A. Pakkala of Arapahoe, NC passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at age 80. Known affectionately as "Dick" to his friends, "Coach" to his students, and "Papa Dickie" to his grandchildren - he passed after a 17 year battle with inclusion body myositis.
Born June 18, 1940, Dick was preceded in death by his parents Betty Lou Van Kirk Pakkala and Elmer Pakkala, both of Newfield, NY and by his eldest daughter, Diane Pakkala Dibble.
A 1958 graduate of Newfield High School, he excelled at Baseball, Football, Track and Basketball, and went on to graduate from Ithaca College in 1963. Dick married E. Georgette Pulos, of Bath, NY on March 24, 1962. He began a teaching and coaching career in Watkins Glen, NY, and traveled to Cicero, NY before settling in Van Etten, NY where he and Georgette had three children.
Dick's teaching and football coaching career spanned close to 30 years. He led the 1st combined Spencer-Van Etten Panthers to an IAC Championship in 1967, in football. He continued to coach at S-VE until 1977 when he moved on to Cornell University where he coached the backs and Special Teams for the Lightweight Football program. After he retired from teaching, Dick continued his coaching career with a position with Dick Richter Summer Bowling Camps through 2003. Dick truly loved coaching and mentoring young students and athletes. He was inducted into the S-VE Hall of Fame in 2015.
Dick and Georgette moved to Minnesott Beach, NC in 1995.
Dick is survived by his wife of 58 years, Georgette, and their 2 children Kimberly Trabucco (Tom) of Franklin TN, and Jason Pakkala (Sara) of Tucson, AZ. One son-in-law, Daryl Dibble of Van Etten, NY. Six grandchildren - Justin Riker (Wilmington, NC), Maggie Trabucco (New York, NY), Joseph Trabucco (Dothan, AL), Cassie Trabucco, (Franklin, TN), Dalton Pakkala (San Francisco, CA), and Hailey Pakkala (Tucson, AZ).
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the family will not have a public memorial service at this time. They look forward to celebrating his life in June 2021, at his gravesite in North Van Etten, NY (restrictions permitting - additional information forthcoming). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the D2 Pakkala-Dibble Scholarship Fund, which assists students from Spencer-Van Etten in furthering their education.
For more information on the services planned or to receive contact information, please email [email protected].
Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home & Cremations, Alliance.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Robert French S-VE '72
February 2, 2021
They say that when you look back and ask yourself who beyond your parents had the most impact on your life, that most of us will remember at least one great teacher. Coach Pak was certainly that. He helped a lot of boys become men of character and strength on the football field and beyond it. And of course he impacted the lives of many young women athletes as well. I know that he battled his illness in his later years with the same courage he taught all of us to find. He will be missed.
Bill Janhonen
February 2, 2021
Please know that Coach Pakkala will live on in the successes and accomplishments of those he coached into becoming strong men who learned that sacrifice and success are partners. He will be missed. I started as his equipment manager in his first year and was with him until graduation in 1972. Bill Janhonen
Jack Kirby, Boynton Beach FL
January 28, 2021
I am sorry to hear of Dick’s passing. Even though we lost touch in the later years, I have fond memories of playing golf with Dick and having a couple of beers afterward. And going to football games together. We had fun. We enjoyed each other’s company. Georgette, I am so sorry . You have my deepest sympathy.
Roger Myers
January 22, 2021
Dick was a loving husband ,devoted father and grandfather.Dick excelled in teaching and coaching at Spencer-Van Etten and Cornell. He was an outstanding athlete along with playing golf and bowling. Dick had many friends and liked to have a good time. We will miss his jokes and him
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Jimmy Nolan
January 21, 2021
I was very fortunate to have had Coach Pak as a coach at Cornell. He was a great guy who made a positive impact on all of his players. Rest In Peace Coach
Lisa Merrick Burleigh
January 21, 2021
RIP u will be missed so many memories when u was a gym teacher. Thoughts an prayers to his Family!
Sheri
January 21, 2021
He was such a pleasure to know!
Carol Johnson Levine
January 21, 2021
A very special COACH to the Spencer VanEtten are for years.
We will all miss him and remember him!
My thoughts are with his family
Ann Varnadoe
January 20, 2021
Back in the early 70s a school where I taught was expecting Coach Pakkala's football team for some competition or other. The principal didn't know that I was an SVE grad. You would have been very proud to hear him tell about Coach P, the values and behaviors he modeled for his students, and the affection his students had for him. You should be proud.
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52 Bryant St PO Box 99 (Alliance), Grantsboro, NC 28529
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