Bob Wuesthoff, a former Long Beach State baseball head coach and the co-founder of 49er Camp, died Friday after a long battle with illness at the age of 87.
A member of the LBSU Athletics Hall of Fame, Wuesthoff coached the LBSU baseball team from 1964 to 1969.
“The Long Beach State baseball family extends our condolences to the Wuesthoff family,” current Dirtbags head coach Troy Buckley said to LBSU Athletics. “We have lost one of the finest people that have represented this program and university, yet his impact on the people that he touched will always live on and be remembered.”
After passing the torch to fellow Hall-of-Famer John Gonsalves, Wuesthoff stayed involved in the university. He was a physical education professor and directed 49er Camp, which continues today as a program for increasing physical fitness for children.
“He was a great teacher and mentor,” said Rick Hayes, the current 49er Camp director who also played baseball under Wuesthoff. “He had a great sense of humor, and he was very loyal to this university.”
Wuesthoff is survived by his wife Gerry, his three children Rob Wuesthoff, Suzie Torrey and Tammie Smith, his sons-in-law Jeff Torrey, Peter Smith, and his three grandsons Tanner Smith, Riley Smith and Colter Smith.
A memorial service will be held for Wuesthoff Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Blair Field.