Richard Andrew “Dick” Kovalcheck, a former tuna angler and longtime owner of The Pennant in Mission Beach, died on Jan. 6 at age 77 with his family by his side.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Ella Mae; his two grown children, son Richard and daughter Cecilia; and seven grandchildren.
“Though he always insisted he’d make it to 100, God finally called him home – but he did not go without a good fight,” said Cecilia “Cece” Clark. “My dad 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.”
His daughter said Kovalcheck, even in his final days, was always the eternal optimist believing he could bounce back for one more go-round, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, generosity, and fun.
Son Richard Kovalcheck described his dad’s life story and legacy as a true reflection of the “American dream” – built on family, hard work, risk-taking, and small-business entrepreneurship, all while living life on his terms. “For nearly half a century, my dad took great pride in owning The Pennant Bar in South Mission Beach,” he said.
“His zest for life and eternal optimism made him a beloved figure in the community. My dad loved seeing people have fun. Whether it was us kids running around with smiles or the countless patrons of The Pennant, he took joy in watching people embrace the lighter side of life and simply have a good time,” he said.
Born to Muriel Horn and Edwin Kovalcheck on July 10, 1947, Dick was born and raised in San Diego, spending most of his childhood in historic North Park. He 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.
In the 1970s, Dick found himself working in tuna fishing to make some quick money after being a poor college graduate from the University of California, Santa Barbara. 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 and South America, West Africa, Samoa, and even New Zealand. His role required precision and deep ocean knowledge, both of which Dick mastered.”
Known for his laid-back work attire of sandals, shorts, and a Hawaiian shirt, Kovalcheck always brought good times wherever he went. Those who knew him said his favorite mottos, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all,” “Tomorrow is another day,” and “Don’t sweat the small stuff.” They said those mottos, though simple, were things Dick “lived by.”
Dick’s friend Buddy Ursich noted they were both from Catholic, fishermen families that attended St. Patrick’s Parish in North Park, adding they frequently got together at the Kovalcheck’s home after midnight mass.
“All through the years we would roam the canyons of Balboa Park,” said Ursich. “The golf course to the zoo was our playground taking advantage of the ‘16 and younger’ free admission. In fifth grade, we were recruited by coach Bruce Shields and played football for him until eighth grade. Dick and I started fishing in Alaska before he started his freshman year at UCSB. We still spent countless days surfing and jumping on tuna boats when we could. Dick was known for being an excellent crewman. He was an accomplished navigator.”
Don Hinds, who worked for Kovalcheck for 35 years, remembers him as a “very hands-on guy” and that there was “nothing he wouldn’t try.”
Hinds noted Dick built the first open-air deck bar on the roof of The Pennant, which became the quintessential beach bar of its time. “The 1980s were party central at The Pennant,” said Hinds. “We raised thousands for the Special Olympics with the Pennant Golf Tournament. Dick and the Pennant also raised money and wrote checks for many organizations and sports teams, like the San Diego City Lifeguards. He did many other benefits that people didn’t know about. He was a give-you-the-shirt-off-my-back kind of guy.”
“Dick was one of a kind, they don’t come any better,” said friend Thom Dimmitt. “He was a rock-solid friend who knew how to live life and have fun. The legendary Pennant was a successful venture for Dick. But it was hard knocks that preceded which set the stage (for the bar). Dick was always willing to take a risk. He (and I) once dedicated a summer in Santa Barbara to finishing telephone cable spools into table tops that we would sell on the street at La Fiesta. The good news was we had tables for years. The bad news was no tables sold. Lesson learned, a beer and some laughs is what’s important.”
Added Dimmitt: “One of my all-time favorite photos is of the Kovalcheck family on the beach, and the expression on Dick’s face says it all…his out-and-out joy for life with his family brought him a special radiance. I still have that picture on my fridge. Dick’s levity in life and love of friends and family were the formula that he orchestrated.”
A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20 at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, followed by a reception.
