College of Marin

Born and raised in Oakland where he was an all-city basketball player. Red graduated in 1942 from UC Berkeley where he played varsity basketball and later coached freshman basketball. During World War II, Red was a captain and fought in the Philippines in the infantry and was awarded a Bronze Star. Following the war, he taught high school in Brentwood where he met fellow teacher Eva Schifferle (died 2005).  They married in 1947 and moved to Marin County where Red launched a long and distinguished career at the College of Marin.

In his first position as basketball coach, he took his team of ex-GI's to the national championships in Missouri where as underdogs they won the national title. Subsequent positions included Dean of Students, President, and Superintendent of Marin Community College District. He played a vital role in developing educational and student programs that served the needs of the entire Marin community. He recognized the pivotal role community colleges play in enacting social change and strove to stay current with a rapidly evolving community. Besides initiating programs for the disabled and re-entering students, he founded the College of Marin Foundation that provides support for its multi-faceted programs. In recognition of his contributions, College of Marin named its newly renovated athletic facility in his honor-the Irwin P. Diamond Physical Education Center.

Red was considered a source of strength, rationality, and love by his colleagues. After his retirement, Red continued to stay active with College of Marin and was often summoned for guidance. Underneath his modesty and warmth, he was a man of strength, integrity and fierce loyalty whose enviable good disposition and sense of humor garnered love and respect from all who had the good fortune to know him.