When three students at the University of Rochester wanted to extend their rowing careers past high school, they approached university officials and asked for support in starting a program.
There were the usual obstacles of funding, finding people who knew something about the sport, and understanding how a rowing organization should work. After finding funding in the form of a grant from the Davenport-Hatch Foundation, a private Rochester foundation, the information on how to get a program started and supported came in 1981 with help of George M. Angle, who was the University's Vice President of Public Affairs at the time.
Angle had help from other rowing people, including Rochester attorney Allen Rosenberg, a native of Philadelphia and an Olympic rowing coach. But when the history of Rochester crew comes up, it is Angle who is called "the father of UR crew."
Angle passed away Dec. 28 at the age of 94. His life and accomplishments will be celebrated during a memorial service Friday, Jan 6.
Rochester born and raised, Angle attended local public schools and later then attended Phillips Exeter Academy. He attended Harvard University after high school and graduated in 1943 after studying for three years and three summers so he could graduate early to enlist and serve in the Navy during World War II.
After the war, Angle returned to Harvard and studied business. He had a long and successful career, beginning at Marine Midland Bank and The Matey Corporation before taking his position in public affairs at Rochester where he remained for 26 years.
Angle was an avid oarsman and supported rowing in Rochester at all levels. In addition to his help in establishing rowing at the university, Angle was instrumental in the creation of the annual Rochester Regatta. He was also active and committed to other Rochester organizations, including Rochester's Child, a program for preschoolers. He was the founder of Oasis, a senior men's educational group.
As busy as he was, Angle continued to row, participating in the Head of The Charles Regatta until he was 83 while remainig part of the Rochester rowing program into his retirement years; he was inducted into the Rochester University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.
"While I only met George a few times during my time here, he was always excited to hear how the team was doing and he and his wife (Alva Hood Angle "Vee") have supported, guided and encouraged the program since its inception," said Rochester Director of Rowing, John Gaskin.
"George gave a great talk at last year's Meliora weekend celebration at the dedication of the dry land training center, remembering the initial days and commenting on how far the program had come," Gaskins said. "For those team members who do not know George other than his name being on our 2V eight and the GWC Boat Bay, he was the key university person instrumental in the birth of UR Crew 35 years ago.
"Without George, there is no UR Rowing."
Angle is survived by his wife, four children, eleven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Go here for complete details on the memorial service and obituary.