Long Beach State University Athletics
Coach and Educator Bob Pestolesi Passes Away
12/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | General
Long Beach, Calif. - Former 49er coach and Long Beach State Hall of Famer Bob Pestolesi died Thursday, at the age of 86. The Huntington Beach native spent a lifetime in higher education, and served the President of both the Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance at both the National and California levels.
Pestolesi spent over 20 years at Long Beach State, lettering with the Men's Golf team before joining the faculty upon his graduation. Pestolesi served as one of the first assistant coaches of the 49er football program, and also helmed the tennis and golf programs while at Long Beach State.
His most lasting legacy at the Beach was as a professor, where he was the chair of the Physical Education department from 1967 to 1978. Pestolesi was inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame in 1996.
Pestolesi eventually departed Long Beach State, taking his career to Cal State Dominguez Hills, where he again chaired the Physical Education department. He also served as the Athletic Director for the Toros, and was instrumental in their move to Division II athletics.
A memorial service will be held at St. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Huntington Beach, on December 18.
