Dr. Bob R. Derryberry

Dr. Bob R. Derryberry's life was a celebration of words. While his life ended on April 13,2010 at the age of 72, the celebration continues in the lives of his family, his friends and colleagues, and his many students, past and present Bob invested in words-and words endure. Bob was born on July 19, 1937, in Wardville, Oklahoma, to parents Bryon and Trudie (Elmore) Derryberry. His love of words led him to graduate school studies, and he earned an MA from the University of Arkansas and later, a PhD from the University of Missouri. This advanced study of speech communication honed his thinking, writing, and speaking, and he delighted in opportunities to study with professors such as Loren Reid. Bob Derryberry married Joyce Nettles on December 24, 1958. They had a fifty-one year marriage filled with words spoken in and with love. Professor Derryberry inspired others to use words well during his forty-six year career at Southwest Baptist University. As Director of Forensics, Bob "Dr. D." Derryberry led speech and debate teams to more than twenty state championships in Missouri and more than fifteen superior team ratings at national Pi Kappa Delta tournaments. As a speech professor, he devoted countless hours to hundreds of students at all levels of experience and confidence, guiding students toward better speaking, better thinking, and better listening. From his academic study of words to his lively interpersonal dialogues with colleagues and students, Bob Derryberry's life was a celebration of words. But perhaps the most important words to Bob were those spoken in kindness--his standard for speech at its best. Bob is survived by his wife, Joyce, of the home; his daughter and son-in-law, Marian Derryberry and Adam Ackerman, grandson Miles Derryberry Ackerman of West Newton, MA; daughter and son-in-law, Elisa and Jim Fish and granddaughters Christy and Emme Fish of Morrisville, MO and Julie Reynolds of Ft Worth, TX. Bob was the last living child of Byron and Trudie Derryberry. Three brothers and four sisters preceded him in death: Buel, Byron Jr., Wallace Christopher, Janice, Betty Clarice, Jackie Williams and Inez Wilkins. Bob's extended family, friends and students will miss him greatly. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Bob and Joyce Tradition of Excellence Scholarship Fund or the Bob Derryberry Endowed Chair Fund at Southwest Baptist University, 1600 University Av, Bolivar, Missouri. A celebration of Bob's life will be held Saturday morning April 17, in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Bolivar, Missouri with visitation at 9:30 followed by a memorial service at 10:30. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Murray Funeral Home. PDF Printable Version

Dr. Bob R. Derryberry

July 19, 1937 - April 13, 2010