Goodbye "Red"
Former COM president Irwin P. Diamond made education and athletics his life's work.
Yukie Sano
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: News
During World War II, Diamond received a bronze star for his service in the Philippines, garnering the title of infantry captain. After the war, he returned home and taught at Liberty High School in Brentwood, where he met and married his late wife, Eva.
The couple moved to Marin in 1947 after Diamond accepted a teaching and coaching job at COM. He and Eva built a home in Sleepy Hollow, where they lived together until last year.
Within his first year at the school, Diamond led his underdog basketball team, known as the "Diamond Dandies," to a state championship and eventually a national championship.
In 1955, Diamond was promoted to the position of athletic director, and then to director of guidance in 1956. In 1960 he became the first dean of students, and in 1974 Diamond became COM's seventh president. He retired in 1984.
During his tenure at the college, Diamond faced tightening budgets and high expectations from the community, but continued to give back. He was a founding member of COM's Foundation Board, serving on it even after his retirement.
In celebration of Diamond's accomplishments, the college named its athletic facility the Irwin P. Diamond Physical Education Center in 1984. In 2009, Diamond attended and spoke at a rededication ceremony that marked the facility's reopening after renovations.
Diamond is survived by his children Robert Diamond, Joan Diamond, Andrea Windem, Carol Diamond, his adopted children Susan Raynes and Michael Raynes, and 16 grandchildren.
The couple moved to Marin in 1947 after Diamond accepted a teaching and coaching job at COM. He and Eva built a home in Sleepy Hollow, where they lived together until last year.
Within his first year at the school, Diamond led his underdog basketball team, known as the "Diamond Dandies," to a state championship and eventually a national championship.
In 1955, Diamond was promoted to the position of athletic director, and then to director of guidance in 1956. In 1960 he became the first dean of students, and in 1974 Diamond became COM's seventh president. He retired in 1984.
During his tenure at the college, Diamond faced tightening budgets and high expectations from the community, but continued to give back. He was a founding member of COM's Foundation Board, serving on it even after his retirement.
In celebration of Diamond's accomplishments, the college named its athletic facility the Irwin P. Diamond Physical Education Center in 1984. In 2009, Diamond attended and spoke at a rededication ceremony that marked the facility's reopening after renovations.
Diamond is survived by his children Robert Diamond, Joan Diamond, Andrea Windem, Carol Diamond, his adopted children Susan Raynes and Michael Raynes, and 16 grandchildren.
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