Robert Oliver Bronston

Robert O. “Bob” Bronston, 88, departed this life and slipped peacefully into eternal rest in God’s care on August 26, 2022. He was born on September 27, 1933 to Esmond “Pete” Bronston and Naomi (Huffman) Bronston. Bob was a member of the Second Missionary Baptist Church. Bob graduated from Springfield High School in 1951 where he excelled in sports. He earned “All Ohio” honors in football and was a member of the 1950 South High School state basketball championship team. Bob was awarded a football scholarship to Miami University where he played for the legendary coach Ara Parseghian. During his senior year, he served as the first African American captain of the Miami University football team. He was president of Tribe Miami, and a member of the Miami Cradle of Coaches. He was also the first African American Vice President of his junior class. Bob graduated in 1955 with a BS in Education and as he often joked, “A minor in dishwashing.” In 1977, Bob was inducted into the Miami University Hall of Fame. In 1998 he was also inducted into the South High School Hall of Fame. Bob met the love of his life Beverly Crawford at Miami and they became a “Miami Merger”. Bob and Bev were happily married for 66 years. Prior to his death they were recognized as one of the longest married couples in Clark County. They both were involved with many clubs over the years including Couple club, Travel club, Geritol Golf League and the Springfield Golf Association. Bob was drafted by the Baltimore Colts but was unable to fulfill the dream of playing professionally due to an injury. Returning to Springfield, he became the first African American teacher at the high school level. From 1955-1972, Bob taught and coached at Springfield South High School. He followed this achievement in 1974 by earning his Master’s degree in Education Administration from Wright State University. Bob became the first African American administrator as Dean of Students at North High School, serving from 1972-1985. Whether it was in the classroom, on the football field or in the Dean’s office at North, he was respected and admired as a mentor, coach, role model, counselor and a teacher. After his retirement from education, Bob became a partner and President of MAP Building Services. He was also a successful real estate salesman and insurance agent. When he wasn’t golfing, Bob served on the Springfield Metropolitan Housing Authority Board of Directors, the United Way and served as the City Golf Advisory Committee chairman as well as other boards and charity organizations. He was a passionate volunteer for the Jeff Wyler and Monte Zinn golf tournaments to benefit the Juvenile Court, Carrots for Kids and Breast Cancer awareness. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his wife Beverly; two daughters Rhonda (Holbrook) Riles, Jr. and Tracy (Leonard) Bronston; sister Virginia “Crick” Jewell; four grandchildren Maranatha (Terrence) McKinney; Marques (Tiesha) Bronston; Morgan (Jesse) Douglas, and Holbrook (Kimmie) Riles III; seven great- grandchildren Emell, Ben, Mia, Jaylah, Marques “MJ”, Jayde, and Spurgeon “Geo”; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and a dedicated friend, James Bush. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters Shirley Carter and Gloria Foster. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bob’s name to your choice to one of the following charities: The Springfield Foundation, African American Community Fund or Sisters United for the Prevention of Cancer.