Dean “Coach” Gilchrist

Dean “Coach” Gilchrist passed away peacefully in his sleep at Atterdag Village of Solvang, California on February 9th, 2024.

Dean began his dream-filled, action packed Journey of Life in “The Ice Box of the Nation,” International Falls, Minnesota. He was born to Raymond Dean Gilchrist and Mary Agnes Trembley on June 21, 1938. This little Canadian border town afforded Dean what he needed to be the Renaissance man he became. Whether singing solo soprano in the church choir, running home from school in the freezing cold to build strength and endurance, or seeking dare devil adventures, Dean did it all. With James Dean-like good looks, piercing blue eyes and a forever tan, Dean was truly a dazzler.

Dean attended Falls High School where he was a stand-out athlete playing Football, Basketball, and Track. He held the school record in the mile for years. Dean graduated with the Class of ’56, and attended Bemidji State Teachers College in Bemidji, Minnesota, where he wrestled and ran track on a scholarship, specializing in long distances. After two years, California called. Dean worked a variety of jobs in California to pay for the rest of his education.

While working, Dean continued his education at Los Angeles Valley College and, after two years, he transferred back to Bemidji State and received his bachelor’s degree in June of 1962. But he had been bitten; The sun-drenched warmth of California was on his mind and in his heart.

Also in his heart was Leslie Grimes of Des Moines, Iowa. They married and his “California Dreamin”‘ found him accepting a teaching position at Edwin Markham Junior High in Watts in Los Angeles County. His first teaching assignment was for General Math and Typing. Watts was uneasy at the time and at the beginning of what would be known as “The Watts Uprising.” This was a difficult assignment for a rookie teacher, but Dean did not shy away from the challenges in the classroom. Forming bonds with students was a strong suit for Mr. Gilchrist, and this was no exception. In the days leading up to the Watts Riots, Dean made the fateful decision to escape from L.A. and head north. A right-hand turn at a fork in the road led him to the Santa Ynez Valley, a small community he had visited previously and never stopped dreaming about. A casual conversation with Santa Ynez High School Principal Hal Hamm confirmed that he had taken the correct turn in that fork in the road. Principal Hamm said the school needed a business and typing teacher as well as a cross-country coach. Dean met all three requirements. He was the perfect fit. And so began his career at SYVUHS.

Dean coached cross country from 1965-1969 and tennis from 1967-1983. His efforts brought all new and beautiful, first-rate tennis courts to the area, including the courts at Hans Christian Andersen Park. Years of weekend lessons with Santa Ynez Valley youths resulted in a crop of some of the best young tennis players in the state and culminated with his team taking the CIF Championships in 1979.

Always wanting his students to have enriched opportunities, Dean participated in school business clubs and created THE BRIG student store, a name he came up with in reference to the school’s mascot name of “The Pirates.” Teaching and coaching could be exhausting, but Dean also advised the Pirate Log school newspaper. His creativity and drive led him to teaching competitive Parliamentary Procedure which took second place in Southern California. Clearly, being a student of Mr. Gilchrist’s brought growth and enrichment to many kids’ lives. Dean and Leslie had two children, Rebecca, and Greg. In 1975, they parted amicably and shared loving joint custody of their children. Dean was fiercely proud of his kids!

Dean met Jan Brown (originally from Indiana) at an evening adult tennis clinic at the local courts. At the end of the lesson, Jan confessed her ride home had not shown up. Dean, being the gentleman he was, offered her a ride home which evolved into a first date at a local bar for cocktails. It was later revealed that Jan had eyes for Dean from the get-go and had “conveniently” planned on not having a ride home. Dean and Jan were happily married for 41 years. They were a team who loved life and each other. After some soul searching but eager for a new adventure, Dean retired from teaching in 1989 and became a self-employed life insurance annuity agent for teachers. He also had a successful career in local real estate.

Dean loved life; he was naturally curious about the world around him and was an adventurous spirit. He enjoyed SCUBA diving, fishing, playing golf, skiing, running, camping, and travelling. Calloused hands from planting and gardening became the tender loving hands hat cared for his many furry friends.

Survivors include wife Jan, daughters Rebecca Gilchrist Sechler (Russ), grandchildren Brandon Sechler and Amanda Sechler Speciale (Adam), and great granddaughter, Lucy, son Greg Gilchrist (Ginger) and grandsons Mason, Carson, and Bronson of Los Molinos, sister Judy Walker (Larry) and their children (Wendy, Laury, Tad, Jill), sister Shelly Gilchrist and son John Potter (Jenny), and numerous grandnephews and nieces. Dean is also survived by Jan’s children Diana, Scott, and Darlo Brown, and their children.

With heartfelt gratitude Dean’s family would like to thank the staff of Atterdag Village for their loving care of our father, brother, husband, and grandfather. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Endowment Fund of the Solvang Lutheran Home, 636 Atterdag Road, Solvang, CA 93463, or the Alzheimer Association, www.alz.org.

Please join us in a Celebration of Dean’s life on Saturday, March 16th, 2024, at 1:00pm at Hans Christian Andersen Park in Solvang.

Loper Funeral Chapel Directors