Hubert E. Louderback
November 29, 1931 - December 2, 2016
Hubert Edmund Louderback passed away on December 2, 2016. He died peacefully at Kaiser Hospital from pneumonia and other complications. He was 85 and lived a full life of service to his family, students, friends and the players he coached.
A San Francisco native, Hugh graduated from St. Anne’s Grammar School (1945) and Sacred Heart (1949) High School. After high school, Hugh took his many talents to St. Mary’s College in Moraga where he played varsity basketball and tennis and was a member of the honor, history and art societies. He graduated from St. Mary’s in 1954.
Upon graduation from St. Mary’s, Hugh was inducted into the United States Army, serving until the summer of 1956.
In September 1956, Hugh’s journey took him to St. Mary College High School in Berkeley. It was at St. Mary’s where Hugh helped to shape the lives and athletic careers of hundreds of students. He taught and coached at St. Mary’s for 37 years.
When Hugh was inducted into the St. Mary’s High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, he shared the following about his coaching experience: “I realize that what I cherish most is the support and the friendship that was so much a part of the basketball program. I recall great individual performances by players of talent and character, the dedication of managers and scorekeepers, the enthusiasm of cheerleaders and the student body, and the support of faculty and parents. I think fondly of the bus rides, singing the Alma Mater as we drove through the front gate, the camaraderie of the locker room, and the quiet times after practice when we sat and talked and learned to know one another better.”
As a teacher, Hugh challenged his students in the areas of English and Mathematics. One of the sayings that he used to describe the learning process was “simple does not necessarily mean easy.” In the classroom and out, Hugh taught his students to embrace the learning process even when it was difficult.
Hugh was a creative individual who enjoyed art. He balanced his academic passion with a love of drawing and painting. From comic characters to complex oil paintings, Hugh’s artistic talents entertained and spoke to the diversity of his personality.
Hugh and his wife, Lucille, married in 1965 and raised their children, Marc, John and James, in Oakland where they were active members of the St. Theresa’s Parrish. Hugh and Lucille later moved to Carmel where they enjoyed the ocean and dinners at the Carmel Valley Ranch Cafe. Hugh and Lucille’s next move was to Danville, CA, where they could be closer to their 7 grandchildren.
In recent years, Hugh was slowed by back issues and a stroke; however, he never lost his sense of humor and enjoyed talking about the Warriors and Giants.
The last verse to “The Bells of St. Mary’s”, the alma mater referenced above, says “…to speak for truth, to trust in God, St. Mary’s Hail!”. Throughout his life, Hugh lived this spirt; he spoke the truth and trusted in God to guide his path.