Richard "Dick" Waters passes away

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http://www.gazette.net/stories/03112009 ... 2489.shtml

Coach remembered for impact
Waters, 74, was a college track star

by Meghan Tierney | Staff Writer


Richard "Dick" Waters, a popular volunteer track coach at Poolesville High School, died last month after an extended illness.

Waters, 74, began volunteering as an assistant track coach at the school in 1999 after retiring from Geico, where he was director of staff development, according to his wife of 24 years, Ann Marie Serwa of Poolesville. He developed renal disease several years ago but his condition worsened in the last 10 months, she said. He died on Feb. 26.

"He was one of those people who genuinely cared about people," said Serwa, 61. "He talked to everybody."

Waters grew up in Newark, N.J., and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a track scholarship, Serwa said. He was the first member of his family to go to college, she said, and he always remembered the impact his coaches had on him.

While in college, Waters won accolades for his achievements in the 220 yard dash and pole vault, according to Scott Mathias, who coached at Poolesville until taking over the track program at Clarksburg High School in spring 2007. Waters played a crucial role in developing the team's hurdlers and pole vaulters, Mathias said.

"They all loved him, he was kind of like granddad," Mathias said. "He's one of the nicest people I've ever met. He was always upbeat and happy, and that kind of enthusiasm is infectious."

Even though he was on dialysis for four years, Waters never missed a practice until he became seriously ill, according to Mike Trumbull, head track coach at Poolesville High.

"It was kind of like his exercise," Trumbull said. "It rejuvenated him, being around the kids."

Waters has two grown daughters from his previous marriage, Serwa said, Sharon Waters of Princeton Junction, N.J., and Cathy Raymond of Ardmore, Pa.