US Navy veteran
POWAY, CALIFORNIA — On April 2, 1939, Robert Harold Champion (Champ) was born to Harold and Anna Champion in Melrose. Bob spent his early years attending Malden Catholic School and was involved in many activities including sports and serving mass for the Cardinal.
As he was ending his high school years, he owned a car that was purchased through his contract work with Boston and Main Railroad as a snow laborer. Two of his friends asked Bob if he would drive them to Annapolis to apply to the Naval Academy. When Bob approached his father about driving them, he said “since you will be there you might apply as well.” Bob was the only one of the three boys that was accepted into the Naval Academy that day. The rest is history…truly.
Bob continued to participate in sports at the Naval academy including football, hockey and lacrosse. After graduating he came west to work on this Master Thesis in Oceanography at Monterey, CA. This is where he met his west coast family for the first time. He visited up north in Mt. Shasta frequently and skied with his cousins and became forever friends. He was called Champ in the west and Bob in the east.
In 1970 Bob was deployed to Vietnam, Lt. Commander of the Mine Division 112, River Patrol Force. He was highly decorated and was most proud of the Presidential Unit Citation/Bronze Star Medal which was awarded to him in Washington D.C. by the Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Zumwalt.
In 1971 he left the Military and located to San Diego where he worked for San Diego County for a brief time.
Champ began his teaching and coaching career at Poway High in 1972. During his 34 years at PHS, he taught Oceanography, Science and Physics and coached numerous sports including soccer, football, golf, lacrosse and track. He started the soccer program at Poway High and finished his career with 483 victories and three CIF championships. In addition, Coach Champ started and led the Varsity Club at Poway High that helped student-athletes focus on leadership, goals and values. Champ was passionate about the ocean environment and started a club called C.A.R.E.D (Coastal Area Research and Environmental Development) where he led his students on hundreds of field trips to study and measure coastal erosion and change. Champ was also adamant about teamwork throughout the campus and worked hard to promote unity amongst the Emerald Brigade Band and the athletics department. He continued initiations into the Poway Varsity club for years after he retired. The students who have experienced this ceremony understand Champ’s commitment to guiding the inductees into a life of excellence.
In 2008, Champ was inducted as a Charter member of the San Diego County High School Coaching Legends by the San Diego Hall of Champions. In short, Coach Champion dedicated most of his adult life to the students of Poway High School. He made a positive impact on thousands of lives and this tribute scholarship was set up to continue his strong commitment to education, the environment, athletics and the Poway High community. The Poway High Alumni Association established a Robert H. Champion scholarship for Poway High School students who are passionate about their area of study, the environment, and athletics.
Champ was up every morning leaving for school at 4 a.m. His dedication to the students at Poway High was his passion. He was an only child, never married, the students and community of Poway were his family and focus. After his retirement he sat on his front porch for many years with a flashlight waving the kids off to school.
In his later years he traveled from MA, Hawaii, Utah for family visits. One of his favorite annual trips was to Saratoga race track in NY with his childhood friend and lifelong buddy Mike Hurley. They were treated like celebrities making friends with the owners, trainers and jockeys.
Those who have been blessed and honored to have Robert Champion in their families are Chilsons, Horrells, MacMasters, Meehans, Sartis and the alumni, students and community of Poway. There are no goodbyes…Champ lives in our hearts forever. As Champ would say…“Every day is Christmas Day in ‘ol Poway!”
A funeral mass was held on Friday, October 11 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 15546 Pomerado Rd. in Poway, CA. A committal service with military honors followed at 1 p.m. at Dearborn Memorial Park, 14361 Tierra Bonita Rd. Family and friends attended the Poway High School Homecoming game that evening. A Celebration of Life took place at Poway High School near the band quad on Saturday, October 12 at 1 p.m. It was requested that everyone honor Champ by wearing his favorite color POWAY GREEN!
