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On Tuesday, Richard Montgomery wrestling coach Kevin Menefee passed away suddenly.

According to Richard Montgomery athletic director Bob Maxey, the Olney resident was admitted to Washington Adventist Hospital after experiencing chest pains Sunday. It was later determined that the 11-year helmsman had a viral infection that spread throughout his body.

"Kevin went about his business as a true professional," Maxey said. "I don't know what we are going to do without him. The kids certainly loved him and are kind of in shock trauma right now.

"I could always count on Kevin to do what he was supposed to do. If I had 50 coaches like him, I would never have any problems. It's just a nightmare to me to lose a coach, person and friend of such a good quality."

Menefee, who designed the annual Rocket Launch Duals tournament, arrived at Richard Montgomery in 1999 as an understudy to former head coach Kevin Phelps, currently a Magruder assistant.

"I got the job and went on my honeymoon," Phelps said. "I came back and the athletic director told me, ‘This guy Kevin is going to help you out. Make it work.' It was kind of funny and we had two different styles, but we worked pretty well together. ... He was quiet, but in the room he wasn't. I bet every wrestler in the room can vouch for that."

Added Magruder head coach Max Sartoph: "All I remember is his good sense of humor. He ran open mats, clinics and was involved with boys clubs. He wasn't that extroverted type of person, just more introverted, but once you got to know him, he was great."

Assistant coach Ben Lee (Richard Montgomery, Class of 2001) will take over the reins for rest of the season.

"The only way the family, kids and I thought we could honor him was to keep going [on with the season]," Lee said. "Just keep pushing on because he would have been pissed off at us if we didn't."

The funeral service will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville. Interment will follow at Parklawn Cemetery in Rockville.

Maxey said he plans to induct Menefee into the Rockets' Athletic Hall of Fame.