Charles Douglas Cromar

Lifetime resident of Pacific Beach, California.

12-Time World Champion of Over the Line

Charles Douglas Cromar, (Chuck), was a life-long resident of Pacific Beach, San Diego, California. He was born in La Jolla on September 11, 1955 to Charles and Hannah Cromar, Scottish immigrants, who came to San Diego to make a better life for themselves and their children. He lived with his parents and sisters, Kathleen and Mary, on Emerald Street in an apartment building with other Scottish families. Chuck’s fondest memories were of his father teaching him to fish at an early age. This became Chuck’s number one passion in life. Chuck began by fishing in Mission Bay, off the Jetty in South Mission Beach and off Crystal Pier. Later Chuck became an avid sport fisherman with many trophy catches and fishing trips to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Norwalk, Connecticut and the waters off Florida. He carved a little time each day to wet a line, right up until his unexpected death, of an apparent heart attack, on August 10, 2015 at the age of 59.

As a boy, Chuck enjoyed exploring every inch of Pacific Beach with his childhood friends. Friends he kept close his entire life. He attended Martha Farnum Elementary School, Pacific Beach Middle School and graduated from Mission Bay High School in 1974. During these years he played little league, surfed, played tennis, softball and basketball. His athletic abilities were such that his early coaches felt he could have been a professional tennis or basketball player. By chance he began playing Over The Line (OTL) at age 18 and ended up being the best OTL player of all time. His coaches were right. He found his niche and was the top of his game becoming the best player of the sport, winning 12 OTL Men’s Open World Championship titles in a span of only 22 years. He was inducted into the Mission Bay High School Hall of Fame for his performance in basketball, but made his mark by fiercely competing on the beaches, playing his heart out, for OTL.

His grace and athleticism made him the most desired player to beat. It was a love/hate relationship, as other players greatly admired him, but desperately wanted to defeat him. At the end of the day, Chuck would be the gentleman and win people over with his modesty and gentle nature. A true professional and all around great guy.

What made Chuck such a notable person is not just his athletic ability, but also his high moral character. Even as a wee lad his sister Kathleen stated that he was the perfect baby, the golden child. He was always well behaved and perfect in every way. As we reminisce, his co-workers and friends characterize him as the most humble, grateful, easy-going person he could be with never a harsh word or judgment of others. Left to cherish his memory are his son, Douglas, daughter, Haley, longtime girlfriend and soul mate, Diana Urban, sisters Kathleen Cromar and Mary (Joe) Thielien, and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements under the direction of Pacific Beach Chapel, San Diego, CA.