Ron was our coach at the Aquabears and Campolindo swimming and water polo, and coach for the Concord Water Polo Club. 

Ron was a friend, a mentor, and always worked us hard wanting us to achieve our best. Ron was also my math teacher which I ended up majoring in at Cal. 

One day, I was playing summer water polo, and he asked me to be his Frosh-Soph Coach at Acalanes. He said to just try it for 1 year, but he couldn't guarantee me any talent.... Of course, he was the summer water polo coach and he new all the young adults coming to Acalanes. ;-) I ended up doing it for 7 years. I had the pleasure of working with him, working with really great young men, enjoyed their parents, and especially loved the year-end awards ceremonies.

It was great to attend the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to see him get that great reward, and be with Edward Belfante, Peter Rocca, John Pettibone, and so many others. 

We are all going to miss you, Coach. Rest in peace.

Like so many others, I had the privilege of getting to know Ron through swimming and water polo. The Murphy family swam with the original Aquabears, played club water polo, and competed in high school water polo and swimming at Campolindo.

I was in a unique position. I only played for Ron one year in high school—my freshman year—before he moved on to Acalanes. But in true Ron fashion, and probably to no surprise to anyone reading this, he never stopped being my coach. From behind the scenes, Ron continued to mentor me. He went out of his way to introduce me to college coaches whenever he had the chance and helped guide me through the decision to play in college.

When I learned that Ron was being inducted into the Water Polo Hall of Fame, I knew I had to be there. A few of my high school teammates felt the same and joined me at the ceremony. These were players Ron had reluctantly left behind at Campolindo. It didn’t matter. With no disrespect to the coaches who came after him, Ron was our coach—even if he was technically at Acalanes.

After my own playing career ended, I moved into coaching. I spent several years coaching with Ron at the club level and against him at the high school level. Those experiences are some of the most meaningful memories I have. Ron taught me how to prepare, how to work hard, and how to think ahead. I still use those lessons every day. He also had a very unique—and often hilarious—way of teaching, and those stories are legendary.

However, I want to share one from a more recent time. Not long ago, I decided to join a masters water polo team. For those who know me, you’ll appreciate that I haven’t been in the water for 35 years and could definitely stand to lose some weight. My first practice did not go well, and I honestly thought I wouldn’t come back.

One of my former athletes convinced me to return the following week. He told me I needed to stop playing water polo the way I used to and just focus on getting some exercise and have fun. So, I came back.

During that next practice, the ball turned over, and the player I was guarding took off on a counterattack. Instinct kicked in—and then reality. Underwater, I literally yelled, “F‑off, Ron. I’m not chasing him down. I’m just trying to get some exercise.”

It worked. I casually swam to the other end of the pool and didn’t worry about the guy I was guarding, and I truly believe Ron would be happy knowing I’m enjoying the game again, but probably laughing at me at the same time.

I miss you, Coach.

Rest in peace.

I had the honor of playing for four outstanding coaches in my water polo career Ron (Acalanes High School & Concord Water Polo Club), Rich Corso (Jr. National Team), Pete Cutino (Cal & the Olympic Club) and Steve Heaston (Cal). With absolutely no disrespect to the others I learned the most about the game of water polo, team play and leadership from Ron Richison.

First of all, and only half joking, I think Ron was fired up to have another Thornton coming through Campo. I think he may have been a little disappointed  that I was not another Richard :-) - Between my Junior and Senior years at Campo I broke my ankle and had surgery, missing the first half of my senior campaign. Ron realized how disappointed I was and asked me if I would coach the JV team. I was honored that he thought that I could handle that. That act by Ron launched my coaching carrier where I coached swimming at Moraga Valley Pool (MVP) for close to a decade, coached swimming at Acalanes and Water Polo with Ron, also at Acalanes, and was an assistant swim coach at Cal in the mid-80s (Biondi years). Ron - you taught me much of what I know as a player on your teams, as a coach working with you, and as a person. You will be missed.

The memories of Coach Ron are inevitably visual …tattered t-shirts turned into crop tops by his well earned belly, frothing corner of his mouth from yelling at all of us in frustration, and certainly the colorful language we all learned along the way (limp dick, he who hesitates gets fucked, etc) but the lasting impact was the compliments that only Ron could give reluctantly and in his own unique way.

Concord Water Polo practice at Acalanes summer of 1984 was one of those times.  Completely meaningless but entirely meaningful to me at the time.  We were having an inter squad scrimmage and it was tightly contested and Ron would always give a countdown for the clock at the end. He said last 30 seconds left and the other team scored as Ron started counting down from 10.  Honestly, I have no clue if they tied it or went up by one but in my mind there were still 3-4 seconds left, so we lined up at half and I made a shot from half court.  Ron wanted none of it but we complained enough that he said fine, line up at half.  Of course ignoring the goal and assuming nothing would come of it.  Second half court shot is good again.  Ron in his semi pleased and semi pissed fashion looks over and says, “Fucking Keely” and walks off.  Greatest compliment ever! Thanks for all the love, passion and dedication Coach.  One of a kind.

I was one of so many of Ron's athletes that experienced his innovative swim and water polo coaching technique and training methods. As I got older, his even greater impact on my life was the discipline and the taking of responsibility for my actions, that he taught me.  It was my privilege to have stayed in touch with Ron and Marilyn for over 50 years since being one of his lucky athletes. RIP Coach :)

We all know his great love and contributions to the aquatics programs at Campolindo and Acalanes, and teaching life-changing lessons for players and students in this area.  But he loved his family best of all.   

I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Coach Ron. He was not only an incredible coach but also a wonderful math teacher who had a profound impact on my life. I always felt I let him down for not making it to the Olympics, but life sometimes takes unexpected turns, including health challenges.

I regret that I lost touch after moving to the East Coast, but I want you to know how integral his coaching and teaching were in shaping who I am today. Thanks to Ron’s guidance, I pursued a career as a scientist and engineer at the Naval Research Lab, and now I have the privilege of supporting engineering students at my local college.

Thank you, Ron, for everything you did for me and so many others. You will be missed and remembered fondly.

With heartfelt condolences,

Liz Hogan

The greatest coach and golfer.

I feel bereft. Ron was a rock and a constant presence. Even though we lived at a distance, we enjoyed holiday gatherings together. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you and I'll be there to celebrate his life with you.

Ron was instrumental in developing competitive teams as well as athletes who were willing to step out of our comfort zone. Water Polo was in it’s infancy in the Orinda, Moraga, Lafayette area in the early 70’s when Ron decided to enter a fledgling polo team in a tournament at De Anza JC which had power house teams from LA as well as our 72 Olympic team. Our first draw was the Olympic team where it was like David vs Goliath. Goliath won this one 22-1. Ron was our goal keeper for a couple of quarters and actually blocked one penalty shot. As a team we learned that very good swimmers didn’t necessarily mean very good polo players. Fast forward a couple of years that fledgling team eventually produced future Champions/Olympians from Campolindo, Miramonte, and Acalanes High Schools. Ron who was long overdue was finally inducted into the water polo hall of fame in 2023. Ron you will be missed but never forgotten! May the Peace Of Christ Be With You!