| Robert Lloyd Purdy | ||
 ROBERT LLOYD PURDY age 87, died on Nov. 13. Robert received a B.A. Degree from the University of Findlay in 1948 and a M.A. from Columbia University in 1951. He served as a U.S. Naval Officer during W.W. II, receiving three promotions. Bob served as the Director of Athletics for the Berea City Schools from 1962-1983 and was the Secretary, Vice-President and President of the Ohio High School Athletic Directors Assn. In 1957, he started the Berea Relays, still held annually, with over 700 competing student-athletes. He authored the widely used book "The Successful High School Athletic Program". In 1973 he was inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Directors' Hall of Fame and was also a recipient of the Berea Kiwanis Club Distinguished Service Award that year. He served as their President in 1984-1985. He was named the Ohio High School Athletic Director of the Year in 1976 and received the Grindstone Award as the Outstanding Citizen in the City of Berea in 1979. Bob was inducted into the Berea and Midpark High School Athletic Halls of Fame in 1984 and 1995. He was inducted into the Findlay College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987. In Feb. 2006 the Berea High School Gymnasium was dedicated as the Robert Purdy Gym. He served as an Elder for the Grace Christian and Missionary Alliance Church for 25 years. Bob was the beloved husband of Dorothy for 64 years; dear father of David (Ann), and Christine Reese (Matt); brother of James, and the late Richard; grandfather of Ben, Hannah Budic (Tim), Carolyn Benner (Paul), Paul Reese and Lynn Kakos (Max); great grandfather of T.J. Budic. Friends may call on SUNDAY 4-6 P.M. at the BAKER, OSINSKI, KENSINGER FUNERAL HOME, 206 FRONT ST., BEREA and on Monday 10-11 A.M. at the Grace Christian Missionary Alliance Church, 7393 Pearl Rd., Middleburg Hts., 44130, where funeral services will be at 11 a.m. following calling hours. Interment Woodvale Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Berea Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 444, Berea, 44017 or the Grace Church Missionary Fund. |
||
In Memory
Bob Purdy
William Gear
While in college I worked as a wrestling referee primarily in the South West, Lake Erie, and Greater Cleveland Conferences.Bob was so organized I would get my contracts to sign for the next season in December of the season we were only into by a few weeks. Other athletic directors didn't get them out until late summer or early fall.
Bob ran two high school and three junior high school athletic programs and seemingly was everywhere. Who could do that today? Who could do it as well?
I had a course in college where his book on running an athletic program was the basic text still have my autographed copy.
I loved Bob's subtle sense of humor and respected the man a great deal.
If you went through Berea Schools and didn't get to know him after school you missed out.
A class act and a gentleman. Truely sorry to hear of his passing.