The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Robert J. Pfefferle Inducted 1994 - Class of 1965
"I am proud to say I am a Woodward High School graduate. I consider it a privilege to have played sports here. I appreciated the great teachers and coaches that encouraged me to do my best. In fact, that is one of the reasons I wanted to be an educator -- because of the great support I received from my teachers and coaches at Woodward."
This story is one often heard from Woodward graduates. According to its alumni, it is no surprise why Woodward produces so many fine educators. Influential personalities at W.H.S. cultivate other great teachers. Some of Bob's favorite mentors were Jim Henahan, Sonny Smith, Jim Wilusz, and Jim Knierim.
Bob grew up in Point Place. He attended the now defunct schools – Kleis Elementary and Point Place Junior High. In 1961, he became a freshman at Woodward. The Beach Boys were surfin' their way to the top of the charts. Elvis was working his way out of the G.I. Blues and starting to go WiId
in the Country. Moon River won the Academy Award that year for Best Song.
In the early 1960s, Woodward's fabulous five -- Bob, Gary Dunn, Mike Kregel, Frank Visi, and Bill Welever -- were busy standin' on the corner watchin' all the girls go by. When Bob was not strolling Woodward's halls with the boys, he was excelling at sports. He received seven varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. Bob culminated his career at Woodward by taking home the Michigan Plaque for outstanding athletic and academic achievement.
This all-around sportsman also had a brush with theatrical stardom at Woodward. Bob recalls, "One year, Keith Biler (Band Director) talked about a dozen of us football players into playing small roles in the school play, Li'l Abner." The bit part didn't sway Bob away from sports. "It did give me an appreciation of theater," he said.
Following his graduation from W.H.S. in 1965, Bob received a football scholarship to the University of Toledo. He played for the Rockets for four years. His successes on the playing field earned him three varsity letters and the title of team co-captain his senior year.
Like most Point Place kids, Bob also developed a love for hockey. In fact, he hit the ice for one season as a member of UT's hockey team.
In 1969, Bob graduated from UT with his bachelor degree in education. After completing his undergraduate program, Bob returned to UT as assistant freshman football coach and assistant head resident for the athletic dormitory.
In 1970, he began his career in secondary education by teaching social studies and coaching football and hockey at Clay High School in Oregon, Ohio. Along the way, he also obtained a master's degree in education from the university. He also holds a specialist degree in his field from Bowling Green State University.
He next found himself in Defiance County as principal of Tinora Junior High School and athletic director of Tinora High School. Later, he was promoted to principal of Fairview High School.
In 1980, he advanced to superintendent of schools for Central Local Schools in Defiance County. Four years later, he was named to his current position as superintendent of Oregon City Schools.
Bob is also a leader in the following organizations: *Oregon Kiwanis Executive Board; *Oregon Chamber of Commerce; *Northwest Ohio Educational Research Council Board of Directors; *Buckeye Association of School Administrators, Region 1; *Cummings Zucker Mental Health Board; *St. Charles Hospital Citizens Advisory Board; *Special Education Regional Resource Center Board; and *University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University College of Education Advisory Boards.
Bob and his wife, Susanne, a former Woodward social studies teacher, will be celebrating their twenty-fourth wedding anniversary this year. Currently, Susanne is a teacher in the gifted program for the Lucas County Office of Education at Hiawatha Elementary School. They have three sons: Kurt, Kevin, and Ryan.
In his spare time, Bob enjoys spending time with his family, fishing, jogging, and reading.