The face on the cake made us smile in its artistic likeness of the very fine fellow we'd come to spend an evening with. About 150 friends gathered the eve of January 10 at the Birmingham Athletic Club for the 90th birthday party of Kermit Ambrose.
The birthday boy had long ago retired as a teacher and coach at Birmingham Seaholm High. The room was full of his former runners, fellow coaches and others whose paths had fortunately crossed his over the years.
Four people shared Ambrose tales after dinner which represented a drop in Lake Michigan compared to the number of funny, moving, grateful and affectionate stories and memories that danced in the heads of other partygoers.
We were the lucky few that evening as Ambrose has positively touched and influenced the lives of at least 100 times our number. His career as a teacher, coach and official stretches back to the '30's in Iowa and Nebraska. Hearing him describe that era is a history lesson.
The Ambrose saga over the past seventy years includes coaching consistently strong and successful teams, 2 State Cross-country Championships and a future Olympic marathoner, Jack Bacheler. (Jack's brother, Bill, was at the party.) It also includes a lengthy and, yes, still-active career as an official at high school and college meets. His resume of accomplishments, contacts, banquet speaking engagements and athletes yelled at (I see a lot of you smiling in recognition) would fill a small-town phone directory.
As Kermit rose to speak, the room stood with him and applauded. It was the kind of spontaneous, involuntary clapping reserved for special people at special times and felt mighty good. Minus his customary bullhorn, the former farm boy had to collect his thoughts before responding. Never one to fear sharing his considered opinions, Kermit bared his heart and made us laugh a little.
It is understatement to close by saying his spirit and dedication still inspire and the sport is richer for his service. Still in good health, looking several decades younger, many anticipate another Ambrose party in '11. We expect, also, that our friend is going to continue showing up to work, getting the job done in the precise, estimable manner we've come to hold in the very highest regard. I received a card from Kermit a week after the party.
He says, "Thank you for coming to the party. What a fantastic affair. I'm still on cloud nine. I couldn't believe that so many wonderful friends would show up." Just returning the love my friend!
