Chew was an English and speech teacher at Warren Area High School for 38 years from 1964 to 2002, and wrestling coach there from 1969-82. He compiled 79 wins while head coach, and coached WAHS’ first state wrestling medalist in Randy Graves, who placed third in 1979.

“He was absolutely a fiery and competitive guy, but so compassionate and loving,” said his daughter, Kathleen Chew Haslett. “He bled blue and white; loved Warren High and all sports. He believed in tough love and his motto that he said to everyone was, ‘If you think you can, you can.’

“One of my favorite details about my dad was he drove a full-size conversion van that had a huge mural of a Dragon on it as our family vehicle,” she added.

Chew served as Warren Area High School’s athletic director from 1994 until he retired in 2002.

The late Lee Chew, right, is pictured refereeing a PIAA wrestling match. Times Observer file photo

“He never missed a home sporting event, no matter the sport, in all the years he was an athletic director,” said Haslett. “He strongly believed in the integral role that high school sports and extra-curricular activities could have on a young person’s life.”

Originally from Washington, Pennsylvania, Chew wrestled for four years at Clarion University before beginning his teaching and coaching career in Warren.

“He was also a PIAA wrestling referee from 1962 to 1992, refereeing even while he was coaching the Dragons,” said Haslett.

Warren opens the 2022 football season against Oil City at 7 p.m. Friday at War Memorial Field with a new turf field surface. Chew served on the Warren Sports Boosters in the original field renovation project at War Memorial.