September 10, 1940-June 9, 2010
Robert passed away on June 9, 2010 at his home after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. Robert was born in Newton GA., September 10, 1940 to the late Lillian Phipps and Tony Dee Alford. He was the fourth of seven children. Robert was brought to Steubenville, Ohio by his parents in 1941. After the death of his mother at the age of 7 years, the family moved to Wintersville, OH. Swimming was his first athletic love, but because of the football skills and the legacy of his older brothers, he played football at Wintersville H.S. and lettered all four years. Upon graduation, he received a football scholarship to Kent State University in Kent; OH. He was a college All-American, Co-Captain of the team for two years and then was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers (briefly) as a lineman. He was involved with many campus organizations; Varsity 'K' Alumni Executive Committee, Kent State Hall of Fame, Kiwanis (Ohio Chapter), President of the Alpha Phi Alpha campus chapter, National Association of Black School Educators (Ohio and Colorado)and was a member of the NAACP. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State in 1968; Masters of Education-Administration from Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH in 1972. He did post Graduate Studies toward Ph.D. in Education Administration from 1979-82. He taught PE and coached football at Roosevelt H.S. in Dayton, OH from 1969-71. He moved to Kent, OH in 1971, teaching PE and coaching football at Roosevelt H.S. until 1978. His career took a turn in 1978 when he became an Administrator at Kent State as a Program Officer for KEDS (Kent Education Development and Strategic Services). Missing the high school students, he returned to Kent Roosevelt, Kent Ohio, as the Assistant Principal in 1982. In 1986, his final career move was to Colorado Springs, CO, where he was the Director of Human Resources-Secondary Education. Upon retiring in 2003, golf became his full-time passion at Patty Jewett Golf Course working as the golf marshal and golfing in between. He and his wife Gloria cruised and visited their grandkids.
Robert Lee Alford described himself as "just a man." No one who ever met him would use those three words. If we choose to use three words, we would say; man of wisdom, man of humor, a great father, a devoted husband, man of patience, man of intellect, teacher and administrator, mentor of kids, a superb golfer, man of integrity, man of valor, man of dignity, and man of Faith. But that is not the end. You had to have known the '’Man”.
Robert leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Gloria of 46 years; three sons, Rob, Jr (Colorado Springs), Tony (Trina), South Bend, IN, Aaron (Linda), Park City, UT; seven beloved grandsons; Elijah, Max, Sam, Rylan, Kyler, Braydon, and Trey; three sisters, Lucille Bridgeman, Mansfield, OH, Candice Alford, Albany, GA, Patricia Vaughn, Scotch Plains, NJ; three brothers preceded him in death, John, Roger, and William; three sister-in-laws, Sylvia Henderson , Cincinnati, OH, Sandy Alford, Greensboro, NC and Juanita Alford, Wintersville, OH. He also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and remarkable friends.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at Calvary Worship Center, 501 Castle Road (30th street), CS, 80903. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to School District #11, Title One Schools, c/o Robert Alford Memorial Funds, Fiscal Services, 1115 N. El Paso, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.
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