Lester “Ernie” Owen, one of Point Loma Nazarene University’s most active supporters, passed away earlier this month.
His memorial service was held last Wednesday at the Redlands Church of Nazarene.
Owen’s involvement with the university began more than 50 years ago, when he competed for the Pasadena College track and field team.
Owen also participated in eight-man tackle football as well as baseball and basketball. He graduated in 1950 and returned to his hometown of Redlands, where he worked in the public education system as a teacher and principal at Mission Elementary School in Redlands until he retired in 1988.
Owen then moved on to the University of Redlands, where he supervised the student teachers.
“He was a tremendous community person. He was a big fan of track and field and would bring the junior high kids to track meets,” said PLNU athletic director and former baseball coaching legend Carroll Land.
Owen, along with help from a local Kiwanis club, helped organize a track meet for junior high school students in 1980 that continues today.
When Point Loma Nazarene University was founded in 1902 it was located in Pasadena and known as Pasadena College.
In 1973, the college was moved to its present site in Point Loma. USIU ” Alliant University ” previously occupied the land.
Despite the fact Owen lived in Redlands and although the college relocated in the early 1970s, he remained connected with his alma mater throughout his life, serving three times as president of the Point Loma Sports Associates and Point Loma Nazarene’s booster club in the 1980s and early 1990s.
“He would drive down to San Diego and visit his in-laws a day before our meetings, then we would plan our agendas and conduct our meetings. He also started the executive committee meetings where he would meet with the officers,” Land said.
In the 1980s, Owen conceived of the Most Outstanding Female Athlete Award to honor the top female athlete at Point Loma Nazarene University.
“The sponsorship was active for about 10 years and started at $2,000 and reached up to $5,000,” Land said.
After he graduated, Owen continued to follow the Point Loma track and field squads.
“He would come to all of our track meets at home and then he would catch up with us on the road as well,” Land said.