SAN DIEGO - The Point Loma Athletic Department lost one of its founding members last week as Myron Finkbeiner passed away and entered the gates of Heaven on June 27, 2021, with his family by his side.
 
Myron joined the Pasadena Faculty in September 1969 as the men's varsity basketball coach and a physical education teacher. A year later, he was one of the Pasadena College faculty moving to our current location in San Diego. He served PLNU effectively in many important roles during the next 10 years before returning to Northwest Nazarene University, his alma mater, as Director of Alumni Affairs. Click here for Finkbeiner's full obituary
 
His many assignments at Point Loma included five years as head men's basketball coach and becoming the first-ever head coach of the men's soccer program (1975-77). He was also men's tennis coach for eight years, and he helped restart the women's tennis program in 1978. He even helped coach Sue Nizic, who played in the top 6 positions of the men's team.  
 
During his 10 years, Finkbeiner served effectively as a teacher in the physical education major program and accepted the responsibility as Chair of the PE program for two years. Myron made a significant difference in each one of the roles in our university as Point Loma was growing in all of these areas.
 
Finkbeiner was Nazarene from birth to death. He was a standup Christian and was beloved by many here during his 10 years with Pasadena/Point Loma. Finkbeiner also founded the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, which is on display at San Jose State University.
 
Finkbeiner passed peacefully at home in Nampa, Idaho surrounded by his loving family (Wife, kids, and grandkids) singing his favorite Hymns. Myron had fought a good battle with cancer in his lungs the past three years.
 
He shared his desires to his family, there should be no formal funeral or memorial service.
 
"Going home to heaven should be celebrated by friends participating in one of his favorite activities," he said. "Gather for coffee in Fellowship and sharing memories of those friendships."
 
The family endorsed this concept and urge his friends to get together in small or large groups to share stories and memories of Finkbeiner.
 
Condolences can be sent to MFinkbeiner@cableone.net. The family will gather and preserve these in a scrapbook for all the family to share. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Myron & Gwen Finkbeiner NNU scholarship fund directed to the women's volleyball program. 

- Tribute written by Carroll Land