John Lucas, Olympic Historian and Penn State Professor Emeritus died on Friday, November 9 after a year-long battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was 84.
Lucas was born in Boston, MA in 1927. Both parents immigrated to the US from Albania and much of John’s work ethic, values and culture came from his rich Eastern European heritage. John became head Track & Field coach at Penn State in 1962 and coached until 1968 when legendary Coach Harry Groves took over. John’s interest in sport led to a passion for the Olympic Games. After coaching ended at Penn State, Dr. Lucas became a Professor in the College of Health, Physical Education & Recreation (now Kinesiology) and over the next four decades became recognized as the world’s leading expert on the modern Olympic Games. John attended 14 different Olympic Games starting with the 1960 Rome Olympics.
John was married in 1955 to Joyce and the two remained together until her passing in 2010. Since April 2012, John has lived with his son in Columbia, Missouri and will be survived by his son, Mark, granddaughter Katie and grandson, Matt.
John was still teaching in the classroom at Penn State at age 82, remarkable by itself. With four books and over 200 published articles, his academic contributions to society are noteworthy. Far more relevant are his contributions to people all over planet earth whose lives were influenced by a man driven like none other to uphold the ideals of Olympism…the promotion of a stronger humanity and world peace through SPORT. The achievements of this man are too extensive to easily summarize. His passion for life and for the Olympics impacted generations of people in the United States and many other countries. He lived his life following the ideals espoused by the ancient Greeks: Strengthen the Mind, Body and Spirit. “Mr. Olympics”, as children called out to him after school assemblies, will no longer be heard lecturing on campus or seen jogging the streets of State College, but he will be missed by many.
No service will be held. In lieu of flowers or gifts, contributions are being accepted to the John A. Lucas Memorial Fund. Checks should be payable to: Penn State University, 1 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802. Memo should read John Lucas Memorial Scholarship Fund.
A guest book can be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com