Maeberta ‘Bert’ Bobb, womens’ sports advocate at Winthrop University, has died.

Maeberta “Bert” Bobb, a Rock Hill resident and lifelong advocate for women’s athletics, died July 3.

She was 82.

Bobb made her mark at Winthrop University when she and others helped colleges transition from women’s recreational club sports in the 1960s to intercollegiate teams in the 1970s.

For decades, and even after her retirement from the university as professor emerita of physical and special education in 2001, Bobb could frequently be seen in the Winthrop Coliseum stands at men’s and women’s basketball games, wearing Winthrop apparel.

“Bert Bobb poured decades of selfless dedication, time, energy, talent and service into her alma mater. She always answered the call when she was most needed. Her leadership and expertise in the field of physical education were recognized and awarded at all levels,” said Winthrop University President Edward Serna.

Born on April 15, 1941 in Newberry, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Carl Francis and Della Merchant Bobb.

Maeberta Bobb was a graduate of Newberry High School and received her bachelors degree from what then was Winthrop College in 1963. She continued her education and received a masters degree from University of Tennessee and later her doctorate from the University of Georgia. She was an active member of the Winthrop community since she came to the university as a student in 1959.

She currently had been living in Park Pointe Village, a retirement community in Rock Hill.

Bobb is survived by cousins, Karen and Mike Brehmer, their children, Neal (Kaylee), Lance (Kaitlyn), and Marylee Brehmer (Hunter Hill), and their grandchildren, Mia Kate, Linley, Garrett, and Jed Brehmer; Beth and Jimmy Folk, their children, Casey (Mike) Ruff and Jamie (Brent) Davis, and their grandchildren, Brady and Brandon Ruff, and Brynn Davis; Bart and Cindy Merchant, their children, Lucas Merchant and Nicole (Stephanie) Burchant and grandchild, Addison Burchant; and Mike and Peggy Epps.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. July 9, at Park Pointe Village Community Center, 3025 Chesbrough Blvd, Rock Hill, SC 29732.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Winthrop University Foundation (Bert Bobb Award), 206 Tillman Hall, Rock Hill, South Carolina, 29733.

This story was originally published July 7, 2023 at 11:58 AM.