Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Monday, August 17, 2009 at 04:46:45 :
Independent Journal
Monday, June 4, 1984
Section B, page 4
ROBERT CUMMING
Robert Cumming, a retired telephone engineer, who built Redwood High School’s crew team into a national prep power, died Saturday at his home in Kentfield. He was 79.
During his 11 years as volunteer Redwood crew coach, he steered the team, which practiced on the Corte Madera Creek, to six high school championships and seven Bay Area titles.
In 1982, his boys team won the national prep rowing title.
Mr. Cumming won his own share of titles. During the 1930s, he was the seven-time Pacific Coast lightweight singles rowing champion and was runner-up for the national title in the same event.
“His results speak for themselves,” Redwood Principal James Hanratty said today. “He was really able to develop esprit de corps among the boys and girls interested in rowing. He’s going to be missed.”
He was born in Paisley, Scotland, and moved with his family to British Columbia, where he developed an interest in rowing.
“He got in the boat and never got out,” said his wife, Virginia.
Mr. Cumming’s career in the telephone business started in British Columbia. He joined Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co. in the 1920s and retired 45 years later as an engineer.
He had lived in Marin for more than 40 years.
He is survived by his wife, a son, Roger Cumming of Brockway, Placer County, two daughters, Constance Vincilione of Nicasio Valley and Paula Pearce of Sebastopol, and three grandchildren.
A memorial service is set for 2 p.m. Sunday at the regatta site of the Greenbrae Sailing Club.
Memorial donations to Hospice of Marin or the Marin chapter of the American Cancer Society are preferred.
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