Born in Oakland, California Richard (Dick) Brown moved to the San Joaquin Valley and a young age and attended Standard Jr. High and then later graduated at the age of 16 from Kern County High (now known as BHS) in 1945.
After attending Bakersfield College for two years he transferred to San Jose State where he earned a B.A. in the fall of 1950. He participated in both water polo and swimming while at San Jose State. He then spent two years in the US Army during the Korean conflict.
After military service, serving as an Education Specialist in the Army in Georgia and the United Kingdom, Dick began his education career at Beardsley School, teaching a self-contained 7th grade class. While teaching at Beardsley Elementary he met his wife Irene Helen Fox and they were married in 1955.
In 1958, Dick moved over to North High, teaching Social Studies and English, grades 9-12. At that time he also began his coaching career, coaching JV football and the head coach of North’s blossoming swim team. His teams twice won Valley Championships and he was highly respected throughout the valley. He coached many of the great North High swimmers including NH Hall of Famers Barry Townsend and his sister Jennifer.
A superb professional educator, Dick graduated from San Jose State, and then went on to get his Masters Degree in Education from Fresno State and his Doctorate Degree in Education from the University of Southern California in 1974.
Dick followed in the line of outstanding principals at North High and served in that capacity from 1973 to 1984 when he retired. He continued teaching as a guest lecturer in several college programs after his official retirement.
After retiring in 1986, he and Irene moved to Sequoia Crest, Ca. where they spent many years enjoying mountain life. They returned to Bakersfield in June of 2004.
Dick was a teacher’s principal. Always a huge supporter of the athletic programs at North, he was respected by the entire faculty and treasured as a person you could go to with a problem and get very sound advice. He truly loved North High and all it encompassed. One of our most beloved principals ever. Dick Brown was a true professional as a coach, a teacher and principal.
Dick passed away on April 24, 2007. He and Irene had three boys, Eric, Paul and Glen. North High was truly blessed to have had Dick Brown as a huge part of the school’s history.