With sadness, the College of Health and Human Development and the Department of Kinesiology announce the passing of Kinesiology Faculty Emeritus, Richard Streid, on August 14, 2023, at the age of 85. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Streid was a founding faculty of the Department of Kinesiology (which, in 1966 when he came to campus, was the Department of Physical Education at San Fernando Valley State College) arriving soon after receiving his BS (1965) and MS (1966) from University of Illinois. Streid served the department through his retirement in 2001, taking pride in never once having used a sick day.
A person with a marked appreciation for precision, Streid was perhaps best known for teaching SCUBA, swimming, and gymnastics. He was a member of the coaching staff that brought the Valley State football team to the Rose Bowl in 1967—this accomplishment in the team’s sixth season as a varsity program—along with coaches Ed Lombardi, Gary Torgeson, Bill Cullum, John Ramsey, and head coach Sam Winningham, who would later chair the Department. In addition to these colleagues, Streid also often spoke to his family about colleagues Barbara Swerkes, Ann Stitt, Ann Stutts (who would later chair the department and serve as dean of the college), and Carolyn Barbian, as the faculty team was shaping the department in its early days.
He also collaborated with faculty members Nick Breit and William Vincent to establish the department’s Youth Fitness program, a long-lived summer fitness program for local children. His family describes him as a hard-working family man with a strong faith who took to heart a quote by John F. Kennedy: “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.” They added that he wanted to see students work their hardest to become the best they could, even if that meant being tough on them.
While on sabbatical just prior to retiring, Streid designed the department’s weight room which would serve classes for years to come. During his career, he was named to the Matador Hall of Fame for his accomplishments.
He is survived by his wife Connie of nearly 64 years, and three children: son Mark (Angie), and daughters Susan (Mark), and Alison (David) as well as 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
A celebration of life will take place on September 9, 2023 at Country Oaks Baptist Church in Tehachapi, California at 11:00 A.M. The family asks that those who wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers please give to Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry* at www.foi.org
*Not affiliated with CSUN.
Su 2023
Jean O'Sullivan/HHD