G. Wayne 'Pud' Helman III, Pennridge coach

G. Wayne "Pud" Helman III, 84, of Perkasie, a former coach and athletic director at Pennridge High School, died of an apparent heart attack Thursday, Oct. 21, at home.

In 1954, Mr. Helman became the first head football coach at the new Pennridge High School. He went on to win six Bux-Mont League football titles and to undefeated seasons in 1955, 1957, and 1964.

He also coached track and field at Pennridge, and established the winter track program, winning two Bux-Mont titles. For three seasons, he coached the Pennridge summer swim team.

He stepped down from coaching in 1982 to be athletic director at the high school.

After retiring in 1991, he coached one season of football at Pennridge Central Junior High School, and he coached the girls cross-country team at Pennridge for a season.

"It is always sad to lose someone who has had such a positive effect on thousands of students," Pennridge School District Superintendent Robert Kish said. "Mr. Helman will forever be an important part of our history and legacy.

For 56 years, Mr. Helman was an official for Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association track and field, cross-country, and swimming events. He was still officiating at track and field events earlier this year, his son, Mark, said.

Track and field was his first love, and it was harder for him to give up coaching track than it was football when he became athletic director, his son said.

Mr. Helman first attended the Penn Relays with his high school track coach and returned for more than 70 years as a competitor, coach, or spectator. In April, he attended the relays with his son, who played football at Pennridge for his father and managed the track team.

Mr. Helman graduated from Lansdale High School, where he was a champion high jumper on the track team; captained the football and basketball teams in his senior year; and was class president.

He then played football as a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania. During World War II, he interrupted his education to serve in the Navy aboard minesweepers in the Pacific.

After his discharge, he earned a bachelor's degree from Penn, where he played three more years of football.

Mr. Helman then coached football and basketball at Germantown Friends School and was a health and physical education teacher and assistant football coach at the former Sell-Perk High School before moving to Pennridge.

Mr. Helman served on the board of the United Friends School in Quakertown and was a member of the Perkasie Historical Society. He was an avid stamp collector.

In addition to his son, he is survived by five grandchildren. His wife of 55 years, Mary Ann "Molly" Wieand Helman, died in 2004. A daughter, Candy Ann, died in 1992.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Gwynedd Friends Meeting, 1101 DeKalb Pike, North Wales.

Donations may be made to United Friends School, 1018 W. Broad St., Quakertown, Pa. 18951.