Robert Kerper, Jr

Won the Pennsylvania State PIAA 100-yard back-stroke championship as a student at West Reading High School (1941 & 1942). He was selected to the All-American High School Swim Team (1941). Bob won the annual Schuylkill River Swim, co-founded in 1913 by his uncle, Jack Farrington, twice (1941 & 1942). He won the 100 backstroke and swam the backstroke on the winning medley relay team for Mercersburg Academy at the National Preparatory School Championships in Trenton, NJ (1943). Bob won BCSA Championships in the 440 and 880 yard freestyle and was a record holder in the 880. After WWII, Bob entered West Chester State College, where he earned 11 varsity letters in swimming, track and cross country. He was captain of the swimming and cross country teams. He was the Middle Atlantic States Intercollegiate champion in the 150 yard backstroke and 300 yard individual medley two successive years and set a record in each event (1947 & 1948). In track, he won the Pennsylvania state two-mile track championship in two successive years (1947 & 1948). He was undefeated in 23 straight cross country runs and set many course records. He was named one of Berks County’s most outstanding athletes for the first half-century (1900-1950) in 1952. Bob was inducted into the Berks County Swimming Hall of Fame (1971). He served as president of the Reading-Berks YMCA for four years (1976-80) and was elected chairman of the YMCA Board of Trustees (1983).

Deceased