University Southern California Trojans
Former USC Olympic Mid-Distance Runner Bob Chambers Dies
December 03, 2010 | Track & Field
Dec. 3, 2010
LOS ANGELES ¬ Bob Chambers, a former USC middle distance runner who competed in the 1948 Olympics, died on Nov. 6 in San Pedro. He was 83.
A memorial service will be held on Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. at Cabrillo Beach (3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro 90731), followed by an 11 a.m. reception at the San Pedro Elks Lodge (1748 Cumbre Dr., San Pedro 90732).
Chambers was a 4-year USC letterman (1947-50) and captained the 1950 Trojan squad. USC won the NCAA team championship in 1949 and 1950 after finishing second the previous 2 years.
He placed third in the 880-yard run at the 1948 NCAA Championship, then as a member of the U.S. Olympic team he was sixth in the 800-meter run at the 1948 Games.
While at Los Gatos (Calif.) High, he ran the then-second fastest high school 880 time.
After his running days, he was the track coach at Los Angeles Pierce Junior College and also from 1954 to 1988 was a Los Angeles County lifeguard.
The USC track and field program presented him with a Heritage Award in 1995.
He is survived by his wife, Gail, and children David, Marc, Gail and Lyn.
