Richard Pfeiffer Tamburo

Richard P. Tamburo – Born, February 6, 1930, in New Kensington, Pennsylvania to Salvatore Tamburo and Miriam Tamburo, passed away at 90 years old on February 24th, 2020 at 6:15pm in Chandler, Arizona. He was the 3rd of four boys; Sam, Harry, Richard (Dick), and Tom. He was an All-American football player, football coach, Athletic Director, a friend and a devoted family man. He was socially charming and made many friends over the years through church, community and work.

Richard attended New Kensington High School. Some of his early accomplishments were:

- Selected to the All-State Pennsylvania football team - He was the Center on the 1948 team.

- Selected to the Valley News Dispatch areas - Greatest 11 High School Players as Chosen by the Fans - (he was #8)

- The 1947 and 1948 Teams were selected the areas greatest Top Ten High School football games of all time.

Richard earned his Bachelors in Police Administration. His favorite class was probably Statistics, because that's where he met his wife, Marie. In college, Richard was a noted and celebrated football player. In his 4 year collegiate career, he held a 26 to 1 record, won 2 championships, was named MVP by his teammates, and went All-American. He played in many notable games; the East-West Game in 1952, the Senior Bowl in 1953, and The Chicago All-Star Game in 1953. The Governor of Michigan awarded the Most Valuable Player of the National Championships team, as voted by the players, Richard was bestowed that honor. He was named Lineman of the Year by the Detroit Times in 1952. The game ball after the Notre Dame game in 1952 was given to him and he was given the Pittsburgh Dapper Dan award in 1953. It was recently written that he was the best Spartan football player to wear the #52. He was deeply proud of his Pennsylvania roots, often being quoted as saying so in newspaper articles.

Richard proudly served in the United States Army. He was stationed in Camp Gordon, GA and Ft Hood, Texas. He served stateside during the Korean War and achieved the rank of First Lieutenant. While in the military he was scouted for his football abilities. He was selected to the All-Army football team in 1955, then selected to the All-Service team in 1955 as well. He was appointed Head Coach of the Ft Hood TX football team,which went on to win 4th Army Championship, losing the All-Service Championship to the Air Force.

Richard was an Athletic Director for many universities. He had extensive work experience in InterCollegiate Athletics. He was highly effective and successful at setting up standards and pursuing excellence.

COACHING:

Line coach and Defensive Coach at Arizona State 1958 - 1967

Offensive Coordinator at Iowa State University 1967 - 1968

Defensive Coordinator at Iowa State University 1968 - 1970

ADMINISTRATION:

Asst Athletic Director - Kent State University 1970 - 1972

Associate Athletic Director at the University of Illinois 1972 - 1978

Director of Athletics at Texas Tech University 1978 - 1981

Director of Athletics at Arizona State University 1981 - 1986

Associate Athletic Director Fresno State University 1986 -1987

Associate Athletic Director at the University of Missouri 1987

Director of Athletics at the University of Missouri 1988 until he retired in 1992

In his spare time, Richard loved to play golf. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and family, always joking that even when he kept score, he still lost. In moments of quiet, he enjoyed casually reading the

newspaper, scripture or a good book. He was always up to watch a sporting event.

Richard was active in his community, found joy in giving back to others who had chosen to go into the

military and was devout to his congregation and church. He always tried to be present, but when he retired in 1992 he was really able to become more active in the things he believed in. He was part of the ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee) from 1993 - 2009. Also, from 1993 to 2008, he was on the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, serving one term as Chairman. In addition, He served on the Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Governor. He was grounded in his faith, continually attending and he felt called to serve a term on the Board of Elders at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. Lastly, he was on the Tempe Diplomats Committee from 1993 until his passing, serving one year as the chairman.

After retirement, Richard was active in his community and church groups, but he truly was a man that loved to be around his family. He spent time celebrating birthdays, games and holidays. Having family close was the foundation of who he was.

He is survived by his wife Marie Tamburo, his 3 children; Deborah Swinford, Tammy Lueck, and Rick Tamburo, his 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation services, open to all, will be held on Friday, March 6th at 5:00pm to 8:00 pm at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, March 7th at 11:30am at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 1035 E Guadalupe Road, Tempe, AZ 85283. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations are made to either the Dick and Marie Tamburo Athletic Scholarship Fund at the University of Missouri or Hospice of the Valley, Dobson House.

Please send donations for the Tamburo Scholarship Fund to:

Attn: Missouri Gift Processing

407 Reynolds Alumni Center

Columbia, MO 65211

*Please write Tamburo Scholarship Fund in the memo