Robert Davis Kalp Jr., known as Coach Kalp, has tragically passed away at the age of 81.
Kalp was the son of the late Robert and Dorothy Kalp. He attended Hurst High School, which later merged to form Mt. Pleasant High School.
He was known as “Butch” in high school, where he played two years of JV football and four years of basketball.
Later, he went on to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
He played four years of varsity basketball and was the leading scorer and rebounder in his junior year, averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds per game.
After graduating from IUP with a B.S. and an M.S. degree in chemistry, Kalp started teaching chemistry and coaching basketball at Hempfield High School in 1967.
The following year, he was drafted during the Vietnam War and spent two years at Ft Gordon, GA, working as a forensic chemist in the Criminal Investigation Division.
He retired from coaching basketball in 2006 after being on the staff for 37 years. During the year, he became the head girls’ softball coach.
In 2018, FloSoftball named him National Coach of the Year, and in 2022, he was inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame.
Community Mourns The Tragic Death Of Coach Robert Davis Kalp Jr
The sources confirmed that Robert Davis Kalp Jr. passed away on March 20, 2026, at the age of 81. The cause of death has not been revealed yet.
Barnhart Funeral Home took to their official Facebook handle to announce the tragic news.
Robert Davis Kalp Jr., known by many as Coach Kalp, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2026 with his loved ones by his side. Robert was born in Bayshore Long Island, New York on April 28, 1945. He was the son of the late Robert and Dorothy Kalp. He was the loving husband of Andrea Kalp for the past 53 years. Together, Robert and Andrea have 3 children: Bobbi Jo Sanders of Greensburg, Jacyln Garlick (Jim) of Greensburg and Jarrette Kalp (Renee) of Pittsburgh. He was the loving Grandfather of Mackenzie and Morgan Kubinec, Andrew Sanders, and Jackson and Chloe Kalp. In addition, he is survived by his sister Renee Hollis (Paul) of Albuquerque, New Mexico and multiple nieces and nephews.
Barnhart Funeral Home
In the comment section, Lisa Rapneth mourned the tragic loss.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends
Lisa Rapneth
Ed DiOrio Jr., who worked at Hempfield Public Works, wrote,
I’m going to miss you my friend. We had a great run. You will be with me forever
Ed DiOrio Jr
Lucy Mento, a Hempfield Area High School graduate, wrote,
What a wonderful guy, our sympathies to all of the family
Lucy Mento
Other close ones and relatives have also offered their heartfelt condolences and sent prayers to Robert’s family to stay strong.
Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at BARNHART FUNERAL HOME, 505 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, in the funeral home chapel. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Jeannette.
Instead of flowers, please consider donations to the Hempfield Area Softball program.
Rest in Peace, Robert Davis Kalp Jr.
Robert Davis Kalp Jr Had Three Children With His Wife, Andrea Kalp
Coach Robert Davis Kalp Jr was married to Andrea Kalp in 1973.
They were blessed with three children: Bobbi Jo Sanders, Jaclyn Garlick, and Jarrette.
Bobbi was married to Jim, Jaclyn tied the knot with Jim, and Jarrette married Renee.
Moreover, Robert was the loving grandfather of Mackenzie and Morgan Kubinec, Andrew Sanders, and Jackson and Chloe Kalp.
In addition, he is survived by his sister, Renee Hollis (Paul) of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
