Randy Kinavey ’72, one of California High School’s best known and most respected teachers, died Oct. 14. He was 62. Kinavey taught ninth grade advanced English and honors English 11 at Cal for nearly 25 years and died of complications from cancer after a years-long battle.

The son of Postal Service workers, Kinavey grew up in Oakland and Castro Valley and went to Bishop O’Dowd High School. He attended Santa Clara University as an undergrad and went to San Francisco State University for graduate studies. He taught English for 10 years and served as an administrator at Bishop for two before arriving at Cal in 1986. Also an English teacher at Diablo Valley College, Kinavey received the Warren W. Eukel award in 2010 for excellence in education. He took a medical sabbatical from Cal High and DVC that year.

Outside of the classroom, Kinavey loved watching sports, especially the San Francisco 49ers and the Giants, loved the outdoors, and went camping often. He was an avid reader, enjoyed all forms of music — especially jazz and the Beatles — and was known to have an affinity for plastic pink flamingos. During his sabbatical, Kinavey traveled to Europe and saw the birth of his second grandchild.

Randy Kinavey is survived by his wife, Suzanne, children, Hilary and Zach, as well as two grandchildren.

Read the full tribute in the San Ramon Express.