Nena Amundson; CLU Department Chairwoman

Nena Alice Amundson, chairwoman of Cal Lutheran University’s physical education and kinesiology department, died Sunday at her home in Thousand Oaks. She was 66.

Born Oct. 17, 1932, in Stillwater, Minn., Amundson graduated from Luther College in 1956 with majors in physical education and social science. She completed her master’s degree in physical education at the University of Northern Colorado and completed her doctorate in higher education administration at USC.

Amundson taught at St. Olaf College for three years before moving to California, where she taught high school physical education for one year.

Since joining the Cal Lutheran faculty in 1961, Amundson developed and taught a variety of courses--from methods of teaching and coaching to physiology of exercise and the history of physical education.

Amundson, who was one of CLU’s charter faculty members, coached women’s basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. She served as women’s athletic director for many years, making it her mission to boost athletic competition for women. She also worked at the local, state and national levels to help women organize college athletic programs.

Amundson was an American Red Cross instructor and earned the Red Cross Honorary Award. In 1981, she was presented with CLU’s Distinguished Service Award. She was in her fourth year as the kinesiology department chairwoman.

Amundson is survived by her niece, Anne Plante, and nephew Erick Rydeen, both of Stillwater, Minn.

A memorial service is scheduled for Friday at 10 a.m. at Cal Lutheran. Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary, Westlake Village.