Richard Pearce Herzer, a retired physics teacher and high school athletic coach in Syosset, died on Nov. 22, 1998 in Sun City, AZ. He was 74. Mr. Herzer was born in Fort Warden, Port Townsend, WA, in 1924, the son of Colonel Charles J. Herzer and Ruby Morton Pearce. He entered Syracuse University in 1942, but his studies were interrupted by the war. After serving as a sergeant in the Army Air Corps in WWII, he returned to the university and received a bachelor of science degree in 1950.

He began a 28-year career as an educator by instructing general science courses, but after returning to college to earn a master's degree in education at St. Lawrence University, he then focused on teaching physics curriculum at Syosset High.

With an avid love of sports, Mr. Herzer coached high school football, track and field, and cross-country until he retired from teaching at Syosset High School in 1979. After moving to Sun City, AZ in 1981, he and his wife immersed themselves in athletic activities - square dancing, tennis, golf, as well as competitive swimming and track and field events.

Mr. Herzer was voted the Sun City Daily News-Sun newpaper's "Male Athlete of the Year" in 1985. He established a state record while competing in the 50- and 100-meter breast stroke in the Senior Olympics, also entering state and national truck and field meets for the discus, javelin, shot put, long jump, high jump, 100- and 200-meter sprint events. He is listed in the US Masters Swimming Top Ten for his 1994 time in the 100-meter breast stroke. As a member of the Sun City Sidewinders, he was one of the top hitters in the Senior Softball League and played on the 1996 championship team that won the Eighth Annual World Series of Senior Softball in Palm Springs, CA.

He leaves his wife, Mary (Polly) Gardner; three sons, Richard P. Jr. of Glastonbury, CT, Karl M. of Dix Hills, NY and Brian G. of NYC; a daughter, Helen R. of Boston, MA; a brother, Charles J. of Port Ludlow, WA; a sister, Joan Pearce of Palm Beach, FL; and six grandchildren.

Burial will be at a later date in Cranberry Lake, NY.

Dorothy Ann Tunison, 82, of Largo, FL, died on Nov. 20, 1998 at Manor Care Health Services of Dunedin, FL. She was born in Brooklyn and moved to Florida in 1978 from Syosset where she was very active in St. Edward Confessor Catholic Church. She was a devoted homemaker. She was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Largo. She is survived by her two daughters, Patricia Preston of Red Hook, NY and Mary Tunison of Largo. Arrangements were made by the Hubbell Funeral Home and Crematory, Belleair Bluffs, FL.