Photo Credit: Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
Ernie Vandeweghe has been part of the NBA franchise for a lot longer than people probably even realize. The former New York Knicks star died at 86 years old from natural causes at his Newport Beach home.
Not only was he a player in the post-World War II era but he is also the father of former NBA player Kiki Vandeweghe and current vice president of basketball operations in the NBA.  The death was confirmed on Sunday night by Kiki Vandeweghe. Vandeweghe’s wife, Colleen, died in 2010 and was a former Miss America.
Vandeweghe led an intriguing life and dabbled in many different areas. He was born in Montreal and went to medical school while working in the NBA. His medical expertise came in handy in the U.S. Air Force and he also was the Lakers’ team physician when the team first moved to Los Angeles. If that was not enough, he also was chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and served on the Olympic Sports Commission.
His children and grandchildren are already stating what a great man they thought he was. Vandeweghe’s granddaughter and pro tennis player, Coco Vandeweghe, posted on Facebook, “I am so lucky to have spent so many years with him learning and growing. He is now in a better place with his beloved wife. He will be missed dearly. Love you Pal.”
As a young man, he played basketball, football and baseball for Oceanside High School in Long Island. He played basketball in college for the Colgate University Raiders. He was drafted by the Knicks in the 1949 draft and ended up playing for the NBA for six seasons. After his retirement from the NBA, he went on to serve as a physician in the U.S. Air Force while stationed in Germany and raised his kids to be world-class athletes.
