Don Kirsch
Donald Howard Kirsch was born in Portland on September 29, 1920, the son of Gustav J. Kirsch and Rachel Helser. His mother, Rachel, is the daughter of Heinrich H. (born 1868) and Katherine Helser (born 1873) and a sibling of Hank, Morrie, and Roy Helser - all standout athletes.
Don grew up in N.E. Portland, graduating from Jefferson High School in 1939. During his high school years, he played both basketball and baseball. Don was a member of three Portland Interscholastic League championship baseball teams and was selected for the All-PIL teams in both baseball and basketball.
After graduation, Don attended the University of Oregon and played baseball and basketball for the legendary Howard Hobson, who coached both teams. Don was a three-year letterman in both sports and was named captain of the basketball team in 1943.
During the 1940s, Don played with National Baseball Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr and Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame member Johnny Pesky. They played for the Silverton Red Sox (based in Silverton, Oregon), sponsored by Silver Falls Timber Company. Silver Falls Timber was owned by Tom Yawkey, the owner of the Boston Red Sox.
Upon graduation from the University of Oregon, Don went directly to officer training in Georgia. He became a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Infantry. Don was immediately sent to Europe for active duty in the war against Germany. He was severely wounded by shell fragments in his back and neck and was sent home to recover.
When Howard Hobson left Oregon to coach at Yale in 1948, Don was named to succeed him as the Ducks' baseball coach. In his 23 years, he never had a losing team. The Ducks won five Pacific-8 Northern Division titles and, in 1954, went to the College World Series. Don's younger brother, Walt Kirsch, was also a standout athlete and played for him at Oregon. Another younger brother, Jim Kirsch, also played football for the Ducks.
Don was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1967, but continued coaching until early 1970. He died on May 7, 1970, at the Stanford University Medical Center while undergoing an experimental medical treatment. He was buried at Rest-Haven Memorial Park in Eugene.
Don's outstanding sports career was recognized by many organizations. He was named to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1981, the University of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, the American Association of College Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Portland Interscholastic League Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
The University of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame offers high praise for Coach Kirsch:
After graduation, Don attended the University of Oregon and played baseball and basketball for the legendary Howard Hobson, who coached both teams. Don was a three-year letterman in both sports and was named captain of the basketball team in 1943.
During the 1940s, Don played with National Baseball Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr and Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame member Johnny Pesky. They played for the Silverton Red Sox (based in Silverton, Oregon), sponsored by Silver Falls Timber Company. Silver Falls Timber was owned by Tom Yawkey, the owner of the Boston Red Sox.
Upon graduation from the University of Oregon, Don went directly to officer training in Georgia. He became a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Infantry. Don was immediately sent to Europe for active duty in the war against Germany. He was severely wounded by shell fragments in his back and neck and was sent home to recover.
When Howard Hobson left Oregon to coach at Yale in 1948, Don was named to succeed him as the Ducks' baseball coach. In his 23 years, he never had a losing team. The Ducks won five Pacific-8 Northern Division titles and, in 1954, went to the College World Series. Don's younger brother, Walt Kirsch, was also a standout athlete and played for him at Oregon. Another younger brother, Jim Kirsch, also played football for the Ducks.
Don was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1967, but continued coaching until early 1970. He died on May 7, 1970, at the Stanford University Medical Center while undergoing an experimental medical treatment. He was buried at Rest-Haven Memorial Park in Eugene.
Don's outstanding sports career was recognized by many organizations. He was named to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1981, the University of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, the American Association of College Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Portland Interscholastic League Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
The University of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame offers high praise for Coach Kirsch:
"He was to Oregon baseball what Len Casanova meant to football and Bill Bowerman did for track and field."
Sources
University of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame website, accessed April 10, 2021.
Don Kirsch, Wikipedia article, accessed April 10, 2021.
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame website, accessed April 10, 2021.
Portland Interscholastic League Hall of Fame website, accessed April 10, 2021.
John Pendergrass, former U of O baseball player under Coach Don Kirsch.
Don Kirsch, Wikipedia article, accessed April 10, 2021.
Oregon Sports Hall of Fame website, accessed April 10, 2021.
Portland Interscholastic League Hall of Fame website, accessed April 10, 2021.
John Pendergrass, former U of O baseball player under Coach Don Kirsch.
Last updated October 7, 2025