Steve Casperson - Teacher, Coach

Steve Casperson, long time teacher and multi-sport championship coach at Piner, passed away peaceful on Thanksgiving evening. Steve was a beloved co-worker, teacher and coach who travel the world on sabbaticals (Russia and China) and on his vacation time, bring back information to inspire his students to be the best they could be and to look beyond their immediate surroundings. A book could be written about his life and all the stories he loved to tell. 

Former student Bill Coset, stated “I swam on the swim team 1969 through 1972 and we would go to Steve’s room after morning swim practice [they also practiced in the afternoon.] and eat before school started. He had a record player in his room, but only one record, The Best of the Kingston Trio! We would give him a bad time about that, but no one brought anything different to play. Kingston Trio songs are always sung when the Swim team gets together over the years. Steve had a profound impact on so many peoples’ lives, mine included. It was a privilege to have known him.” 

Steve grew up in southern California and as a pitcher on his Anaheim High School team, pitched against future Baseball Hall of Famer, Eddie Mathews’ Santa Barbara H.S. team. Steve struck out Mathews on his first at bat, but later in the game gave up a home run to him, which cost him the game. Steve played a year or two on an unaffiliated professional minor league baseball team, but discovered very soon that only a small percentage of players make it to the Major League. 

Casperson earned a B.A. at San Francisco State and an M.A. at University for Montana. After teaching in Ukiah, he moved to Cook Jr. Hi in Santa Rosa. He offered swimming programs at Oak Park and Wikiup and came to Piner in 1966. He was selected as Teacher of the Year for his creative history classes. 

While at PHS Steve had 7 league championships in swimming including 67 straight varsity victories from 1969 to 1973. During that time he coached Piner’s first All American, John Collier (’71) in the100 yd Butterfly 52.2 sec. Steve also had 2 league championship teams in baseball. The one in 1974 was Piner’s first and he won again in 1976. He also had one tennis championship team in 1982. 

Steve acquired Parkinson’s disease about 10 years ago, but fought the disease until he finally succumbed to it. Steve has two daughters Kelli (who passed away 6 years ago) and Sabrina, who is married to Jerry Bonfigli.

Piner High School Alumni Newsletter, Volume 10, Issue 2, January 2019