Bob Wilson was more than just a man. He was a legend, whose spirit remains strong with staff, students and the Lamorinda community. The former Physical Education teacher and Athletic Director, who passed away in December after a long battle with cancer, was remembered Thursday evening in a celebration of his life that filled the big gym.
“We believed the program would be a testament to him and how much he was admired by both the school and the community,” said fellow PE teacher Chris Walsh, who helped organize the event.
In addition to Walsh, Principal John Walker, former Principal Carol Kitchens, leadership teacher Dino Petrocco, current AD Tommy Renno, football coach Kevin Macy and one of Wilson’s daughters, Jennie Wilson, each offered their favorite memories of the man that made such a powerful positive impact.
Senior football captains Tyler Petite, Connor McNally and Jack Stephens and girls’ volleyball captains, seniors Kelley Wirth and Annie Doyle, also spoke at the ceremony.
According to Walsh, the Wilson family held a private ceremony shortly after Wilson’s passing. This “celebration of life” was “a chance for the school and the community to come together and share and support each other and the Wilson family.”
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) trophies won by Campolindo teams while Wilson served as Athletic Director were prominently displayed, as well as photographs of Wilson teaching and coaching students. A large replica of a portrait of Wilson, painted by alumnus Joel Kratter, stood by the podium, surrounded by flower arrangements.
Walker recalled his first days as a new principal in the summer of 2012. The only people on campus were custodians and football coaches. He explained that Wilson went out of his way to mentor him. “He would just come up and tell these fantastic stories. These stories were often hilarious. They were always respectful, always meaningful and very poignant,” he said.
Renno spent a great deal of time in the PE office with Walsh and Wilson. “It didn’t matter whether you played sports or not. When you walked into the boy’s locker room, you felt accepted,” he remembered.
Petrocco said Wilson used his humor to connect with his fellow staff members and the student body. “Bob was, for a lack of a better term, a smart ass. He had a way with a witty remark. Bob’s humor was how he really showed that he cared,” Petrocco said.
Macy brought up the impact Wilson had on his team during its recent push for the state title. “When I think of our state experience this year, the word got to us that ‘if you want to see Bob, don’t wait too long.’ When we got there (to his home), he just really rallied up for the kids,” he said.
“He just said, ‘Win or lose, I’ll always be proud of you.’ None of us realized that he had a bigger impact on us than we had on him,” tight end Petite added.
Petite, as well as McNally and Stephens, were on one of the last freshman football teams that Wilson coached before he retired in 2013. “He not only taught us to be good football players, he taught us to be men,” said Petite.
McNally also spoke about the profound effect that Wilson had on him. “There was a man there that taught me not only to respect the game, but our teammates and friends. Coach Wilson helped our dreams come true. We had to play with the spirit of Coach Wilson. I believe with all my heart that Coach Wilson was watching us down in Southern California,” he said.
At the state championship football game, Campolindo was down 28-7 late in the third quarter against El Capitan. But the team rallied tie the game, and eventually won when senior Adam Remotto recovered a fumble and returned it over 80 yards for the touchdown.
Macy said that, before the title game, the team was hesitant about dedicating a win to Wilson, because “no team is perfect.” When the team was down 28-7, Stephens’ admitted he was not optimistic. “I thought we were done,” he said.
Macy said he told the team to play with pride and to play with the spirit of Wilson.
He also recalled the student section’s chanting of Wilson’s name at the conclusion of the state bowl game, which he described as powerful.
“If you followed the [state championship] game, and know how it ended, that was all Bob. I always thought Bob was my wing man, but he was a little more,” said Macy.
Jennie Wilson spoke about her father’s impact on her family. She recalled the support he provided to her and her siblings at their various youth and high school sporting events. “He praised our efforts without giving us a big head and he put a bad performance in perspective. He was an amazing man and I am blessed to have called him Dad,” she said.
She also remembered attending her first San Francisco Giants game at Candlestick Park with her father. Wilson said that her father ignited her passion for the team. “He shared his love and enthusiasm for them with us. Every game that I watch, I think about him,” she said.
Bob Wilson was Campolindo’s athletic director from 1999 to 2013. His high school friend and current English teacher Scott Brady-Smith dubbed his time as Athletic Director “The Golden Age of Campo Sports.” During those 14 years, the school enjoyed incredible athletic success. Campolindo has produced 65 North Coast Section Championship teams, 4 CIF State Championship teams, 4 CIF Individual Champions, and 3 Olympic Medalists during his tenure.
Wilson was named the California Coaches Association Athletic Director of the Year in 2010. Campolindo was also named Cal Hi Sports Division III School of the Year 2 times under his watch.
