Anita Hook Wambaugh, a beloved mother, wife, teacher, and wrestling coach, passed away unexpectedly on May 12, 2020, due to a heart attack. She was 49 years old. Her sudden death shocked and saddened many people who knew her and admired her passion for wrestling and education.
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A Lifelong Love for Wrestling
Anita was born on July 14, 1970, in Tacoma, Washington. She grew up in a family of wrestlers and developed a love for the sport at an early age. She competed in high school and college wrestling, becoming one of the pioneers of women’s wrestling in Washington. She was a four-time state champion and a two-time national champion. She also represented the United States in several international tournaments, including the 1992 World Championships in France.
Anita continued her involvement in wrestling as a coach and a mentor for young wrestlers. She coached at several schools, including Mount Si High School, Snoqualmie Middle School, and Chief Kanim Middle School. She also founded and ran the Snoqualmie Valley Wrestling Club, a nonprofit organization that provides wrestling opportunities for kids of all ages and skill levels. She was known for her dedication, enthusiasm, and positive attitude. She inspired many wrestlers to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals.
A Devoted Teacher and a Loving Family Member
Anita was not only a successful wrestler and coach, but also a respected teacher and a caring family member. She earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Central Washington University and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from City University. She taught math and science at Chief Kanim Middle School for over 20 years. She was loved by her students and colleagues for her kindness, patience, and humor.
Anita was married to Scott Wambaugh, a fellow wrestler and coach. They had two children, Austin and Brooke, who also followed their parents’ footsteps in wrestling. Anita was very proud of her family and supported them in everything they did. She enjoyed spending time with them, traveling, camping, hiking, fishing, and watching movies.
A Legacy of Excellence and Generosity
Anita’s sudden passing left a huge void in the lives of many people who cherished her. Her family, friends, students, wrestlers, and co-workers expressed their grief and condolences on social media and other platforms. They shared their memories of Anita and how she touched their lives with her generosity, compassion, and excellence.
To honor Anita’s legacy, her family set up a scholarship fund to help Austin and Brooke pursue their college education. They also asked for donations to the Snoqualmie Valley Wrestling Club to continue Anita’s mission of providing wrestling opportunities for kids in the community. According to GoFundMe, the fund raised over $50,000 as of May 2020.
Anita Hook Wambaugh was a remarkable woman who made a positive impact on many people through her wrestling and teaching careers. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her and loved her. Her cause of death was a tragic loss for the wrestling community and beyond.
