Richard S. "Dick" Lasse

Richard Stephen Lasse, lovingly known as "Pop Pop" to his grandchildren and "Dick" to friends, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2025, at the age of 89. A dedicated husband, father, grandfather, athlete, coach, and teacher, his faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was the foundation of his life and what guided him. Dick lived a life defined by perseverance, integrity, and love.
Born on November 13, 1935, in Quincy, Massachusetts, a son of the late Arnold and Thyra (Johnson) Lasse. Dick graduated from Worcester Academy in 1954 before going on to an accomplished collegiate academic and athletic career at Syracuse University where he was an All-American in both football and wrestling. He won many accolades during his time there including the Pat Miller Football Award for outstanding athlete student citizen and the Bill Horr Most Valuable Player award in football in 1957. He graduated from Syracuse in 1958 with his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and his Master of Education from Northeastern University in 1962. His excellence on the field earned him a place in the National Football League, where he played linebacker for five seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, and New York Giants. As a tight end, he blocked for Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown for three years at Syracuse and then tried to tackle him for five years as a linebacker in the NFL. In 1994 he was named a Letterwinner of Distinction by the Syracuse Athletic Association Varsity Club.
Following his playing career, Dick turned to coaching, at Barnstable High School in Hyannis, MA in 1964 (head football coach, assistant track coach). He then went to Curry College from 1965 to 1968 in Milton, Massachusetts, where he became the first football coach in the school's history, starting the program from the ground up. He was an assistant football coach at Harvard from 1969 to 1970. He was also the founder and first president of the New England Football Conference. Then he went to Manhasset High School in Manhasset, NY from 1971 to 1973 (head football coach, assistant lacrosse coach, freshman wrestling coach). He later served as football and track coach at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, from 1974 to 1980. He finished his coaching career at Citrus High School in Inverness, Florida from 1980 to 1982. Dick also served Citrus County public schools by teaching at the Marine Science Station and later as a school social worker where he had a positive impact on many students during the 1980s and 1990s.
Dick served in many churches as usher, deacon, elder, and trustee. He was a faithful steward of the blessings God bestowed on him.
Dick is survived by his beloved wife, Dorothy "Dottie"; his sons, Steve (wife Mary) and Kurt (wife Rebecca); and his grandchildren, Emily Lasse-Opsahl (husband Gabe) and Eric Lasse; by his sister, Ginnie Choukalis, and many nieces and nephews who will remember him with love and admiration.
Along with his parents, Dick was predeceased by his brother Arnie Lasse Jr.
Dick was known for his charm, wit, and a heart full of kindness. To his family, he was a steady source of warmth and joy-a man of God with a tough shell and a soft heart, always ready to offer a smile or lend a helping hand and he will be deeply missed.
Friends and family will be welcomed Saturday, May 24 for a visitation from 10am until the time of the Memorial Service at 11am, in the Beaver Falls Christian Assembly Church 814 Lincoln Place, Beaver Falls, with Pastor Dale Russo officiating.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Beaver Falls Christian Assembly Church 814 Lincoln Place, Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania 15010.
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