Harlow, Grid Coach From 1935-47, Dies in Maryland After Sickness

Richard C. Harlow, 72, who led Harvard to Eastern football prominence as head coach from 1935 to 1947, died yesterday in Bethseda, Md., after a lengthy illness.

Known as one of the leading tacticians in American football and a member of football's Hall of Fame, Harlow compiled a record of 45-39-7 in his 13-year tenure, the longest of any Harvard football coach. He resigned in January, 1943 because of ill health and was succeeded by Lloyd Jordan.

It was Harlow who recommended to the Department of Athletics the appointment of John M. Yovicsin, coach of football since 1957.

Among the players who were members of Harlow's Crimson teams were Endicott (Chub) Peabody, Harvard's last All-American; "Radar Ken" O'Donnell '49, now Special Assistant to President Kennedy; Robert Kennedy '48, now U.S. Attorney General; Vernon Struck '38, who as fullback was the key man in Harlow's offense.

Thomas D. Bolles, Director of Athletics, last night termed Harlow "one of the all-time great football coaches."

After graduation from Penn State, Harlow took over at Western Maryland State and coached it into football prominence. After 27 straight wins there, he came to Harvard, which was at that time in the gridiron doldrums. There was fear that Harvard would then go "big-time" in football, but Harlow, according to his players, combined an "anti-emphasis" aproach with respectability on the field.

He was named Coach of the Year in 1936, his second year at the University.

Interested in ornithology and soology, Harlow was also curator of soology at Harvard. In his 36 coaching years he mentored 606 players, many of whom he helped off the playing field as well.

The "Master of the Mousetrap" had a record at Western Maryland of 60 wins, 13 losses, and 7 ties. Between 1942-45 Harlow served as a Navy commander and joined many of his players in World War II service.

His best year at Harvard was the 6-1 season in 1942; in spite of poor health in 1946-47 he managed to continue coaching and in '46 even managed to win seven out of nine games.