Bob Hershberger Memorial Drive
Those of us who knew Bob loved him for his zeal for life, humor, leadership, intelligence, generosity and his warm friendship.
Our Story
The Bob Hershberger Memorial Fund has been created to honor DePauw University Professor Robert Preston Hershberger who had a great love and passion for Spanish, the Spanish language people, and the greater community. Those of us who knew Bob loved him for his zeal for life, humor, leadership, intelligence, generosity and his warm friendship.
Bob always was gifted with connecting and serving people. In 2004-05, Bob received the Exemplary Teaching Award, given jointly by DePauw University and the General Board of Higher Education of the United Methodist Church. Bob created the Community Technology Enhancement Program (CTEP), which has collected used computers from DePauw, local schools, and the community to be refurbished and donated to low-income families and nonprofit organizations. Yet another of Bob’s accomplishments was the founding of Servicio en las Américas, a three-week language immersion program that sends a group of incoming DePauw freshmen into Spanish-speaking areas of the world. In his spare time, Bob taught Spanish at the Asbury Towers retirement community, directed the Greencastle Crown Street Community Center, and volunteered as a coach for the Putnam County Youth Soccer Association.
This fund has been made to both honor Bob’s legacy and improve the literacy of Hispanic kids in the Denver inner-city. The need is urgent as 99% of the children served are 1 - 3 grade levels behind in their reading scores. Through the Academia Mauricio Saravia (AMS), at-potential kids ages 5 – 11 are given a hot meal, homework help, a 1-hour art class of their choice (e.g. ballet, cooking, carpentry, painting, guitar, etc.) and reading instruction.
Your tax-deductible gift will give a child tools that are critical for success. The mission statement of the AMS is: To H.E.A.L. a child’s confidence by supporting their growth in Health, Education, and the Arts with Love! 100% of all the children who participated in our summer digital reading program saw their test scores go up and three students even advanced to the next grade level.
The Englewood Rotary Club has raised $3,000 to renew the Renaissance digital reading subscription for 2019. However, another $10,000 is needed to purchase 40 – 50 Amazon Fire Tablets and hire a part-time Reading Specialist. 100% of your donation is tax-deductible and will put resources into a child’s hands and put that child’s hands into the grip of a loving mentor. Both result in a more confident and successful kid!
Thank you for both honoring Bob's memory and supporting this worthy cause! Please help us reach our goal by freely sharing this page.
To share your stories about Bob’s impact in your life, the community, or a good memory please go to: https://www.facebook.com/Bob-Hershberger-Memorial-Wall-1782760981847218/.
For more information on Bob Hershberger go to: https://www.bannergraphic.com/story/2522983.html.
The Academia Mauricio Saravia (AMS) is a community outreach program of Iglesia Gracia y Vida, a Spanish language congregation. For more information on the AMS go to: https://www.facebook.com/AcademiaMauricioSaravia/.