Today we recognize Walt Paczesniak, former coach at Marshfield from 1948 until 1974. Walt was part of a wave of coaches and teachers who arrived in Coos Bay with World War II experience. There can be no doubt that these veterans had a positive impact on the Pirates they coached and taught.
Walt Paczesniak was born and raised in 1920 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He played 4 years of football and baseball at West Liberty State Teachers College in West Liberty, West Virginia, graduating and receiving his Bachelors of Science degree in 1943. He married Virginia Regier and immediately enlisted in the US Army. He was wounded in combat in France in September 1944 and convalesced in England and subsequently in Virginia.
After being discharged from the Army in 1946, Walt began his teaching and coaching career in Coos Bay. Walt and Virginia had moved across the country for this new adventure never believing they would eventually stay and raise their family in a small coastal town in Oregon. This was, however, a thriving community with outstanding schools and an illustrious athletic tradition.
Walt is at the bottom left, listening intently to Pete Susick.
Once here in Coos Bay, Walt and Virginia never considered moving back east. He taught social studies and coached football at Marshfield Junior High for two years before transferring to the high school. He taught US history and coached football (with shorter stints coaching tumbling and baseball) from 1948 until his death in 1974.
Walt has 3 children who all went through the Coos Bay school system and have wonderful memories of growing up in Coos Bay and remain loyal Marshfield Pirates: Penny MHS 1963, Mary MHS 1968 and Mark MHS 1969.
