Lifelong Carlmont aquatics coach and teacher Glenn Kovas passed away on Oct. 27 at age 81. Kovas taught business and math at Carlmont from 1957 to 1999.
Kovas was born in Roslyn Washington and grew up in East Palo Alto. He graduated from Sequoia High School where he played football, and established his love for sports.
After graduating from Sequoia, Kovas moved onto Menlo College where he continued playing football.
The aquatics center at Carlmont is named after Kovas due to his successes as a coach and teacher. Kovas was also honored by the California Coaches Association in 1992.
“Glenn was a champion of the kids who struggled. He was well-respected and well-liked. Kids always wanted him to come to their reunions. Kids have come back to him over the years and told him how he inspired them,” former Carlmont teacher and current softball coach Jim Liggett said.
“Glenn was probably one of the most well respected teachers at Carlmont. He influenced lives of hundreds,” said Liggett.
In his later years, Kovas enjoyed traveling, American and British history, country music, and musicals.
Kovas also enjoyed meeting every Wednesday morning at Le Boulanger for a coffee group with other lifelong teachers.
Former Peninsula Athletic Director Terry Stogner met with Kovas every Wednesday at their coffee group.
“I just saw Kovas last week. Everything was good. He went in for a gall bladder treatment and it got infected and he never came out of the hospital. He was a wonderful man,” said Stogner.
Despite being 6 feet tall and 280 pounds, Kovas was a gentle giant.
“He came off as intimidating, but he was a pussycat. He’d put his arm around you. He really cared about the kids. He was like a father figure to them,” said Stogner.
At Kovas’ request, there will be no memorial service, but anyone is welcome to donate to the Glenn Kovas Scholarship Fund. Donations may be made to Pat Smith at 1400 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont.
