* Richard Minasian; High School Athletic Director

Richard L. (Dick) Minasian, a Burbank High School athletic director and teacher for more than three decades, has died at his Laguna Beach home. He was 85.

A Burbank resident from 1938 to 1970, Minasian died Tuesday of congestive heart failure, said his granddaughter, Dana L. Morris.

Born in Fresno, Minasian received his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1933 from USC, where he was a three-year varsity letterman in baseball. He received a master’s degree from USC two years later.

In 1938, Minasian joined the staff of Burbank High School, where during his 32-year tenure he served as director of physical education and taught life science, biology and physical education. He also coached several sports, including football and baseball.

While a Burbank resident, Minasian was a member of the Burbank Lions Club, the Valley Trojan Club and Westminster Presbyterian Church. He retired in 1970 and moved to Laguna Beach, where he was a member of the Orange County Trojan Club and Community Presbyterian Church in San Juan Capistrano.

Minasian is survived by his wife of 62 years, Viola; two daughters, Paula Morris of Burbank and Sandra Stenius of Eugene, Ore; a brother, Arthur L. Minasian of Encino, and four grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Community Presbyterian Church, 32202 Del Obispo St., San Juan Capistrano. Graveside services will follow at 3 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a scholarship being established in Minasian’s name. Additional information is available through his daughter, Paula Morris.