Three-Sport Wittenberg All-American Bob Cherry ’64 Passes Away
Bob Cherry (center) was celebrated along with Wittenberg Men's Basketball teammates Bob Hamilton (left) and Eldon Miller (right) at a halftime ceremony at Pam Evans Smith Arena in 2024. | Photo by John Coffman
SPRINGFIELD, OH – One of the most accomplished athletes in the long and illustrious history of Wittenberg University intercollegiate athletics has passed away. Bob Cherry, the only male student to earn 12 varsity letters and All-America honors across three different sports at Wittenberg, died on June 8 at the age of 85.
Born in Barrackville, West Virginia, Cherry was a graduate of Akron East High School in Akron, Ohio. His arrival at Wittenberg ushered in a tremendous era of athletics success for the University as he achieved at a high level individually and played for two Tiger teams that won NCAA championships.
A wide receiver for the Tiger football team, Cherry set numerous Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) and Wittenberg records while achieving All-America awards and All-Conference honors, including the Mike Gregory Award as the league’s outstanding offensive player. During his four years on the Tiger football roster, Wittenberg compiled phenomenal records of 33-2-1 overall and 24-1-1 in the OAC, won three league titles, and the Tigers were voted the best small-school team in the country by the Washington Touchdown Club in 1962, accounting for the first of five national championships for the program.
An AII-American center for Wittenberg’s men’s basketball team, Cherry was a key reserve on the Tigers’ national championship team in 1961 and one of the top players on the national runner-up team in 1963. And in track, Cherry won an NCAA College Division title in the 120-yard hurdles in 1963 after scoring more than 100 points in dual meets during the regular season.
After graduation, Cherry qualified for the 1964 Olympic Trials in the hurdles, and he received invitations to play professional football from the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos after being selected in the 19th round of the 1964 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. In 1985, he was inducted into Wittenberg’s Athletics Hall of Honor as a member of the inaugural class.
Cherry earned his bachelor's degree in education from Wittenberg, and he went on to earn a Master of Education from Wright State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education from Ohio University. He began his professional career with International Harvester in Springfield before returning to his alma mater as director of the Upward Bound program.
He went on to work as an educator, administrator, and director at Clark Technical College and Clark State Community College before retiring with more than 30 years of dedicated service to his students and the Springfield community. Cherry served as a commissioner for the city of Springfield from 1976-80, and he served as a member of various boards, including the 648 Behavioral Mental Health board.
“Dr. Bob Cherry was one of the most distinguished and accomplished student athletes in Wittenberg’s glorious athletics history,” said Wittenberg Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Agler ’80. “In recent years, Dr. Cherry would come back to campus to interact with student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and friends. All of Wittenberg, past and present, have great admiration and respect for Dr. Cherry. He will be missed, but he will never be forgotten. The lore of Bob Cherry will be passed on well into the future.”
Cherry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Anna (Luckett) Cherry. A celebration of his life will take place Saturday, June 18, at Wittenberg University’s Weaver Chapel, starting with visitation from 12-1 p.m. and continuing with a memorial service.
Written By: Ryan Maurer