Members of the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) are mourning the passing of Ron Yamaguchi, an assistant equipment manager.

Yamaguchi, who joined Stanford in 1989, died suddenly Friday morning at the Arrillaga Family Sports Center of an apparent heart attack. He was 53. He was a 1980 graduate of San Jose State University.

News of his death was shared with DAPER staff through an email from Bob Bowlsby, director of athletics.

Bowlsby wrote: “It is with great regret that I inform you of the untimely death of one of our DAPER family members today. Ron Yamaguchi passed away this morning from a heart attack in the equipment room.

“Ron has been a valued member of the Athletic Department since 1989. In his nearly 23 years as a member of the DAPER family, Ron has been an exemplary employee and his passing is a tremendous loss to our department and to all of us who knew him personally. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.”