Richard Andrew Kovalcheck

Richard Andrew Kovalcheck, known his whole life affectionately as “Dick”, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 1:01 AM with his family by his side. His wife of 41 years, Ella Mae, along with his two grown children, Richard and Cece, and 7 grandchildren were all with him on his final night.

Though he always insisted he’d make it to 100, God finally called him home—but he did not go without a good fight. Dick defied the odds so many times that we started to believe he just might live forever. His "tough guy" persona made him seem invincible, but "tough" barely scratches the surface of what Dick was throughout his life. Even in his final days, Dick—the eternal optimist—believed he could bounce back for one more go-around. leaving behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, generosity, and fun.

Dick’s life story is one that reflects the “American Dream” of family, hard work, risk taking, small business entrepreneurship, and living life his way. For nearly half a century, Dick took great pride in owning The Pennant Bar in South Mission Beach. His zest for life and eternal optimism made him a beloved figure in the community. Whenever business was slow, he’d reassure his bartenders with his signature phrase, “The rush is coming!” Known for his laid-back work attire of sandals, shorts, and a Hawaiian shirt, Dick always brought good times wherever he went. His favorite mottos were simple and he lived by them: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”, “Tomorrow is another day”, and “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Born to Muriel Horn and Edwin Kovalcheck on July 10, 1947, Dick was born and raised in San Diego, CA, spending most of his childhood days running amok in the historic neighborhood of North Park. Dick attended Catholic elementary school at St. Patrick’s and high school at St. Augustine, Class of 1965. There, he excelled in academics and sports, earning the MVP award in football and a spot in San Diego’s Breitbard Hall of Fame at the old Hall of Champions. Although he served as an altar boy as a child, Dick never quite warmed to church as an adult—although he made sure his kids, Richard and Cece, attended Catholic school. His son Richard followed in his footsteps at St. Augustine, because as Dick liked to say, “Once a Saintsman, always a Saintsman.”

Dick, an ocean lover and beach enthusiast, stayed on the coast for college. As a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Dick played rugby and football for the Gauchos. A hard-hitting fullback, he earned the respect of his teammates with his tough yet friendly demeanor—the kind of guy who’d knock you down and then offer his hand to help you up. Although he initially pursued engineering, Dick switched to a double major in Political Science and Economics— an education that served him well later in life.

In the 1970s, Dick found himself working in tuna fishing to make some quick money after being a poor college graduate from UCSB. Commercial tuna fishing out of Point Loma was a significant part of San Diego’s economy, which at the time was known as the “Tuna Capital of the World.” His father, Edwin Kovalcheck, was a Director of Operations for a fleet of 11 seiners and three freighters, so it was no surprise Dick and his older brother, Ed, fished together on the same tuna boat. For 10 years, Dick served as the navigator, guiding the boat through long voyages and unpredictable ocean conditions spanning the coasts of Central & South America, West Africa, Samoa, and even New Zealand. His role required precision and deep ocean knowledge, both of which Dick mastered. He and his brother Ed shared the challenges and triumphs of life at sea, cementing their bond through hard work, long hours, and months at sea.

In 1977, Dick met the love of his life, the beautiful, intelligent, and lovely Ella Mae Gora Kovalcheck, at The Old Ox in Mission Valley. They were married in 1983 and spent over 40 years together, raising two children, Richard and Cecilia “Cece", and creating a family that Dick cherished. As he grew older, and his legs became weaker, Dick’s family brought the fun to him. He spent countless hours in his recliner, with a delightful view watching his seven grandchildren play in the expansive backyard. He loved his family fiercely and was incredibly proud to be the husband of Ella Mae, father to Richard and Cece, and grandfather to Ellamae (10), August (8), Kovey (8), Jack (6), Frankie (6), Josephine (4), and Cooper (3).

Dick’s purchase of The Pennant has become part of local lore. One day in 1979, he walked into the old bar for a drink and saw the former owner, Jack Elliot, sweeping up broken glass. Sensing potential, Dick made an offer on the spot. The next day, he returned with his realtor, Roger Colbaugh, to seal the deal. Dick took one last fishing trip while renovations were underway, unsure if he’d have to return to fishing to pay off the loan. Fortunately, The Pennant quickly became a massive success, and Dick’s days as a commercial fisherman came to a close.

Dick has now reunited with his parents, Edwin Kovalcheck and Muriel Horn, his older brother Ed Kovalcheck, and longtime friends Willie, Fox, Fred, JD, Danny, and Delmar, and many other compadres of South Mission Beach in what we imagine to be “The Pennant Heaven.” We picture them all sitting around the bar, sharing laughs and stories over a vodka soda with a splash of grapefruit, celebrating Dick’s full and remarkable life.

A memorial service will take place on Thursday February 20, 2025 at 10am at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, followed by a reception at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse.