Shepaug Baseball: Dave Werkhoven dies at 80 after 342 wins

Dave Werkhoven died of a stroke on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the age of 80. The former head baseball coach for the Shepaug High School Spartans passed away on the same day as the birthday of Ted Alex, the man who built the program in Washington, Conn.

Werkhoven took over the helm of the Spartans late in the 1984 season immediately after Alex died of cancer. Alex had been Werkhoven’s mentor, neighbor, and best friend for 15 seasons. The ballpark in Washington Depot bears Alex’s name, and Werkhoven assumed leadership while that legacy still dominated the community’s sports memory.

In his 20 years as head coach, Werkhoven compiled a record of 342 wins and 103 losses. He won nine Berkshire League titles and three Class S state championships, one more than Alex achieved. His final state title came in 1999 when the Spartans defeated Cromwell 2-1.

The team won its first state championship under Werkhoven in 1987, beating Ansonia 2-1. Scott Werkhoven, who succeeded his father as head coach in 2005, was a sophomore on that squad. He noted that the team did not have any Berkshire League all-stars that year. Instead, the roster consisted of players willing to perform the small tasks required to win. Scott Werkhoven said the credit was shared among the group, a principle both he and his father emphasized.

The Spartans nearly repeated as champions in 1988, losing to Portland 4-1 in the final. They also reached the finals in 1995, defeating Lyman Memorial 6-1, and in 1996, falling to Derby 8-5. Werkhoven retired as both a teacher and coach following the 2004 season.

Werkhoven arrived at Shepaug in 1970 with his wife, Susan, to teach chemistry and biology. They intended to stay only one or two years but remained for a lifetime. Alex enlisted him as an assistant coach during their first meeting and arranged for the couple to move into the house across the street from Alex’s home. The proximity allowed the Werkhovens to babysit the five children of Alex and his wife, Ruth.

Gary Alex, Ted’s son, recalled that his father’s death presented a challenge for Werkhoven to carry the program forward. Gary Alex said his father would sometimes joke about potentially messing things up in the early years. However, Gary Alex noted that one does not serve as an assistant for 15 years without learning the necessary skills to succeed.

Mike Kersten, a catcher on early Werkhoven teams and a Shepaug assistant coach for many years, described Werkhoven as an extension of Alex. Kersten said Werkhoven maintained the same code of conduct, ensuring players wore their uniforms correctly and took the field with proper form. He won with humility and lost with grace. Kersten recalled that Werkhoven had a quiet intensity and would dispute calls without ever crossing a line or using profanity.

After retiring, Shepaug dedicated the home dugout at Ted Alex Field to Werkhoven. A plaque in the dugout honors his 342 victories. Jason Conway, a Shepaug assistant coach, said Werkhoven coached his father, himself, and his son. Matt Perachi, the Shepaug athletic director, said Werkhoven’s presence remained strong even after he stepped down. Perachi’s sons knew the former coach well, even though they played under Scott Werkhoven.

Werkhoven’s death followed the passing of Ray Reich on Oct. 20. Reich was a longtime assistant baseball coach and team scorekeeper who died at age 88. Kersten called the timing of Werkhoven’s death fitting, noting it coincided with Ted Alex’s birthday.