Charlotte Rae Wirth

Charlotte Rae Wirth, 91 years old, died on Friday, February 2, 2018, at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla surrounded by her former players.

She was born April 10, 1926, in Fort Pierre, South Dakota, to Charles and Ruth Wirth. She was the youngest of three children. After her father’s death, Ruth moved her family to Corning, California. They lived with relatives, until the family moved to Walla Walla, when Charlotte was in the sixth grade. She graduated from Wa-Hi in 1944. Miss Wirth attended Washington State University and graduated with a Master’s degree in Physical Education in 1950. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority and received the Crimson Formal Award for being the outstanding senior at WSU.

Miss Wirth taught at various junior high schools in the area until she landed a teaching position at Wa-Hi in 1963. This was the beginning of her coaching career. As there was no women sports offered at the time, Coach Wirth started an after school program and had to fight for gym time for girls. She was a pioneer for women sports long before Title IX. Coach Wirth ran a successful volleyball and basketball program for Wa-Hi. Miss Wirth retired from teaching and coaching in 1978. She enjoyed wood carving and ran a small business for years. Her favorite pastime was playing the slots.

Coach Wirth was inducted into the Washington State Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988. In 2002, Charlotte received the Graduates of Distinction award from Walla Walla Public Schools. She was inducted into the Washington State Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017. At her induction ceremony Coach Wirth was asked how she became such a successful coach. She said, “I hate to lose. I know everyone says that, but I REALLY hated to lose.” She loved visiting with her past players and looked forward to the yearly reunion of Walla Walla Girls Athletics. Her fierce determination, sense of humor, and unexpected tenderness will be missed.

Charlotte is survived by many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Wirth; brothers, Merlyn Wirth and Miles Wirth.

Miss Wirth’s Celebration of Life will be held on June 23, 2018 at 10AM at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Walla Walla Girls Athletics in care of Lisa Nicholson, 504 Penn Ave, LaGrande, Oregon, 97850 through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home 315 W. Alder Walla Walla, Washington.