FMS alum Bob Kerby passes
Written by Joseph B. Yount III
Two days before Bob Kerby and I graduated from Fishburne Military School, the then commandant told me that he was happy one of us was going to UVA and the other to VA Tech, because no place could possibly survive if the two of us were enrolled together.
I had known Bob Kerby from grade school and early on found him a genius in many ways. A ham radio operator at age 10, this faithful young Methodist liked to assure us that his call letters W4BLD stood for Whiskey for Breakfast Lunch and Dinner. That was said for shock value, of course, but in truth long before he came to Fishburne he could build his own receivers and hi fi equipment, had a basement that looked like an FM radio station, and regularly spoke with ham pals on every continent.
From that time on through the most advanced computer age, Bob mastered the current communication techniques of the era, year after year, and it opened many worlds to him. He liked to dazzle people with his ability, and he regularly succeeded with me. At Fishburne he hid the first tape recorder I ever saw in our press so we could quiz underclassmen as to their opinions of faculty leaders and threaten to play the tapes publicly. This continued until the commandant confiscated the tape and the recorder.
As all of you know, Bob and I spent decades together after graduation at Fishburne working with others to try to save the school during turbulent times that saw two-thirds of the military schools in this county and this country close their doors. There was a big difference in how we did it. I was on the sidelines as a trustee, while for many critical years Bob literally ran the show. He loved Fishburne and it is not an exaggeration to say that without him it might well have perished. He worked tirelessly long hours often seven days a week, and he managed to meet budget demands and bring innovation while at the same time befriending, counseling, and mentoring generations of cadets who learned to love and respect him. Many are here today, and many more have logged in on the Fishburne website to express their sorrow at the passing of one who greatly influenced their most significant years of youth. I know my contemporaries will agree when I say that he did more hands-on work than any of our generation to save our precious school.
For nearly seventy years he was my pal, valued advisor, indefatigable challenger, and frequent companion in work and play. In his loss I find myself remembering one of the most remarkable friends of a lifetime, whose heart was generous, whos intentions were good, and whose accomplishments could be called monumental. Good bye, Bob. Thanks for the memories.
