Darrell Von Driska, a former Hemet High teacher and coach for over 45 years, passed away at age 74 on Wednesday, September 18th, from an aggressive form of cancer. An estimated 500 people attended his memorial service on Saturday, September 28th, at Hemet High School’s stadium. There, teachers, family, athletes, and close friends gathered to remember the man famously known around town as “Mr. Hemet”.
Darrell Von Driska was born and raised in Hemet, California, and graduated from Hemet High School in 1957. Von Driska lived in Hemet his entire life, with the exception of a small snippet of time in which he spent at LaVerne College, and later a period of time he spent serving in the Peace Core. Darrell was also a founding board member of Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, which began in 1972 to provide recreational opportunities for kids and teenagers. Darrell spent most of his time and money on kids, and did whatever it took to make sure everything was in the best interest of kids. Mr. Von Driska is perhaps most identified with Hemet High football; he played for the team in the mid-1950s, and went on to coach all three levels from 1966 until he was hospitalized.
At his memorial service, many talked about what friendly and unselfish “jokester” he was. Former Valley-Wide general manager and close friend Sam Goepp, Coach Reitz, Coach Breyer, former teacher Forest Thomas, and former football coach Andy Boynton were some of which spoke and shared memories and stories. One of Darrell’s middle-school friends even said that his “jokes got me back on my feet”. Mr. Boynton referred to Darrell as one of his most active “Fruitvale” friends, and said, “He was such a neat guy”. Mr. Von Driska’s Pastor, who also directed the service, said, “I could never outdo him. There was no outdoing Darrell Von Driska”. Sam Goepp said, “He was Mr. Hemet. He bled Bulldog red.” The service closed with the ringing of the victory bell, a tradition that Darrell Von Driska loved.
Directly afterwards, a reception was held at the Valley-Wide Recreation center located in Valle Vista. Mr. Von Driska was also remembered during the Homecoming game. Coach Reitz announced during the service that a new award will be given to a freshman football player who displays the most character, under the name of Darrell Von Driska himself. Hemet High, Valley-Wide, and the city of Hemet itself would be in an entirely different place without Mr. Von Driska, and he will be missed deeply. Here’s to the “#1 Bulldog in the sky”.
Darrell Von Driska was born and raised in Hemet, California, and graduated from Hemet High School in 1957. Von Driska lived in Hemet his entire life, with the exception of a small snippet of time in which he spent at LaVerne College, and later a period of time he spent serving in the Peace Core. Darrell was also a founding board member of Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, which began in 1972 to provide recreational opportunities for kids and teenagers. Darrell spent most of his time and money on kids, and did whatever it took to make sure everything was in the best interest of kids. Mr. Von Driska is perhaps most identified with Hemet High football; he played for the team in the mid-1950s, and went on to coach all three levels from 1966 until he was hospitalized.
At his memorial service, many talked about what friendly and unselfish “jokester” he was. Former Valley-Wide general manager and close friend Sam Goepp, Coach Reitz, Coach Breyer, former teacher Forest Thomas, and former football coach Andy Boynton were some of which spoke and shared memories and stories. One of Darrell’s middle-school friends even said that his “jokes got me back on my feet”. Mr. Boynton referred to Darrell as one of his most active “Fruitvale” friends, and said, “He was such a neat guy”. Mr. Von Driska’s Pastor, who also directed the service, said, “I could never outdo him. There was no outdoing Darrell Von Driska”. Sam Goepp said, “He was Mr. Hemet. He bled Bulldog red.” The service closed with the ringing of the victory bell, a tradition that Darrell Von Driska loved.
Directly afterwards, a reception was held at the Valley-Wide Recreation center located in Valle Vista. Mr. Von Driska was also remembered during the Homecoming game. Coach Reitz announced during the service that a new award will be given to a freshman football player who displays the most character, under the name of Darrell Von Driska himself. Hemet High, Valley-Wide, and the city of Hemet itself would be in an entirely different place without Mr. Von Driska, and he will be missed deeply. Here’s to the “#1 Bulldog in the sky”.