Obituary: Hank Springer, track and field coach

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Henry ‘Hank’ Springer, a longtime fixture in Southern California track and field, died unexpectedly on Oct. 14. He was 83.

Springer was born in Memphis, Tenn., but grew up in South Gate, where he excelled as a shot putter and graduated from South Gate High. After serving in the Army in World War II, he won two national championship titles at Compton College and later attended USC. He taught at Huntington Park High from 1952-83, when he also coached cross-country, football and track and field.

He and his wife, Doris, retired to Carlsbad, where he coached track into the 1990s.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons Marc, of Garden Valley, Calif., and Brian of Huntington Beach, and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will held at noon Sunday, Oct. 21, at the Carlsbad High stadium, 3557 Lancer Way, Carlsbad.

- Martin Henderson