Robert L. Derr, Jr.,75, passed away peacefully at his home on November 11, 2024, with his family surrounding him. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, educator and coach. Known affectionately as "Bobby", he was a pillar of strength and a guiding light to his community, cherished by his family, respected by colleagues and revered by countless students and athletes.

Raised in Lititz, PA, he was the son of the late Robert L. Derr, Sr, and Lois Albert Derr. Bobby was the husband of Kathleen (Yohn) Derr. They celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on October 16, 2024. Bobby leaves behind a legacy of dedication, compassion, and outstanding accomplishments that spanned over five decades.

Bobby was a 1968 graduate of Warwick High School, Lititz, where he played football and was part of the 1967 Lancaster County Championship Team, wrestling at 112lbs. and was a 1967 sectional champion and ran track. A graduate of West Chester State (University) with a BS in Health and Physical Education, he returned to his alma mater and committed his life to teaching and coaching Wrestling, Track & Field, and Girls Field Hockey.

His early years as Head Jr. High Wrestling coach led to a record of 88-8, including five undefeated seasons, six Jr. High League Championships, six Elizabethtown Optimist Tournaments Championships.

Bobby was also a distinguished wrestling official, officiating high school and collegiate matches for over 50 years. This impressive officiating career included 43 Sectional and District Tournaments, 5 PIAA State Wrestling Championships and 3 State Team Tournaments. He was the Lancaster Lebanon Rules Interpreter for 32 years, and District Rules Interpreter for 4 years. He was named Official of the Year by the Lancaster Lebanon Coaches Association for 13 years. He also officiated 23 years at the Collegiate level, doing 21-Division III MAC qualifiers, 2 PSAC Tournaments, Division I EWL qualifier in 2003, 8 -Eastern Regional qualifiers, 15-ECWC/CAA Division I qualifiers, 2-NCAA Division II Championships, and 13-NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships from 1999-2011.

Highly respected in the wrestling community, he was inducted into numerous Hall of Fames. District III Wrestling HOF (1993), Lancaster-Lebanon Wrestling HOF (2008), National Wrestling HOF – "Lifetime Service" (2009), National Wrestling Officials Association Golden Whistle Award (2011), PA Wrestling Coaches HOF (2016), and Solanco Wrestling HOF (2022).

In addition to his contributions to wrestling Bobby found an extreme passion for coaching Field Hockey which led to a 43-year career as Head Coach of Warwick's Girl's Team, he achieved a record of 630-201-37. Earning14- Lancaster-Lebanon Section Titles, 11-Lancaster-Lebanon League Titles, 6- District III PIAA Titles, 3-PIAA AAA State Championship Titles (1987, 1999, 2000), and 1- Olympian Alyssa Manley 2016 – "RIO". His commitment to the sport earned him recognition for the Jr. Hockey Award for Youth Hockey and the National Field Hockey Coaches Association -Coach of the Year (2000), National High School Coaches Association-Coach of the Year (2001) and Induction into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2010), and the Susquehanna Valley Chapter PA Sports Hall of Fame for Field Hockey & Wrestling –(2011). Remarkably, 57 of his former players have gone on to coach high school or collegiate sports carrying forward the values he instilled.

Bobby's influence also extended to track & field, where he coached for 29 years, guiding numerous champions and earning sectional and district champions.

Throughout his life Bobby received numerous awards including Lancaster Sportswriters and Sportscasters Award (1987,2000, 2001), Outstanding Young Men's Fitness Leader (1988), Who's Who Among America's Teachers Award (2004-2006), Lititz Borough Council & Citizens of Lititz Lifetime Service Award and Key to the Borough of Lititz (2009), Annual George W. Kirchner Memorial Award (2010), Inducted into the 1st Class of Warwick's Hall of Fame (2014), and the Lancaster-Lebanon League Hall of Fame (2019). Bobby mentored over 1,500 student-athletes, instilling discipline, commitment, accountability, and a positive attitude. He taught them the value of being a good role model, showing kindness, and practicing good sportsmanship both on and off the field. Bobby went beyond teaching sports skills; he believed in using athletics as a platform to impart important life lessons. Above all, he emphasized the importance of having fun in everything you do.

Bobby was passionate about giving back to his community. In 2005, he helped establish an annual tradition with the girls' hockey teams, where they would clean up Lititz Springs Park every year on the day following the 4th of July celebration. Additionally, Bobby's commitment to youth sports extended to his leadership in the Warwick Youth Field Hockey Program, which he founded and led for 35 years. Each year, the girls also helped coach this program, continuing the legacy Bobby had built.

Bobby was a dedicated member of the Lititz Lodge 1050 I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) for 50 years and served as a member of the PIAA Wrestling Officials for 30 years.

Bobby cherished spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved having lunch with his sisters and brother-in-law, and he enjoyed gathering with other family members, friends, and fellow officials. Bobby found joy in the simple pleasures of life, like watching westerns and horror movies on TV. He was a devoted fan of Michigan football and college wrestling, and he particularly loved to dance. His love for music led him to the American Music Theatre, where he enjoyed performances of all genres—especially Doo Wop and Johnny Mathis. Bobby was known to sing along every chance he got, sharing his joy for music with those around him.

Bobby is survived by his wife, Kathy, three children and seven grandchildren; Daughter-Danielle Van Natta (Jack) of CO, grandson Gage, TX and granddaughter Mackenzie, AZ; Daughter Bree Arvai (John IV) MI and their children John V, Clare, Ella, Jake; and Son Robert Andrew Derr (Melissa) and grandson Marshall. He is also survived by two sisters Wanda Jones (Richard) New Holland, and Kathleen Derr Francis of NJ and several other nieces and nephews and their children.

Visitations will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025, from 3:30PM -7:30PM and on Saturday, February 8, 2025, 9AM to 11AM with a "Celebration of Life" Service to begin promptly at 11:30AM at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. The service will be livestreamed; to watch, please go to Bob's obituary at SnyderFuneralHome.com at 11:20AM on Saturday and the stream will appear at that time. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Robert 'Bob ' Derr Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made via the following link. https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=qcHbuc Should you wish to make a donation via a check, please make payable to Lancaster County Community Foundation – and note "Bob Derr Fund" in the memo. All donations are tax-deductible.