The Falcon   |   Volume 81, Issue 26

Published 6/02/10   |   Log In

Professor to retire after 32 years, feels 'blessed'

Professor of Physical Education Bob Weathers passed a passion for taking care of one's self and other onto his students.
Photo credit: CURTIS SIMPSON IV/The Falcon.

Bob Weathers to SPU, 'Thanks for letting me play'

By JACKY NEUMILLER, News Writer

Published: June 2, 2010

Senior Tom Kessler has taken courses on everything from Exercise Physiology to Kayaking from Bob Weathers, professor of physical education.

"Ever since I began school at SPU last year he's been my adviser, and I would just say, putting it in my own words, that he's the man," Kessler said.

After 32 years of teaching at SPU, Weathers will retire this month. Weathers has taught 56 courses at SPU in four different departments. More often than anything else, he has taught courses in scuba diving and various forms of wellness courses, he said.

Weathers said he thought his passion lay in art when he was an undergraduate. It was not until his junior year that he figured out art was not his calling, turning instead toward coaching.

From this, he turned to art education and then to physical education. Weathers traveled a long and winding path, which he said eventually led him to his true calling, exercise physiology.

Students tend to find him to be an academically demanding professor, Weathers said.

"I had a student this quarter ask me why I didn't have a sense of humor," Weathers said. "I'm aware that sometimes that the characteristics one student sees in me are the exact opposite of another student. Some students find me intimidating and others find that completely laughable."

When asked of his accomplishments, Weathers said only that he does not think in terms of goals or accomplishments. A contribution that Weathers did admit to, however, was writing a grant to equip the lab on the lower level of the gym.

"I just feel inordinately blessed to have had all kinds of opportunities that I never could have dreamed and to have 'accomplished things,'" he said. "To me, they're not accomplishments, they're experiences."

Students like Kessler feel equally as blessed to have had time with Weathers before his departure.

"He's contributed a lot of love to the school," Kessler said. "He just passes on this golden knowledge that we will use for the rest of our lives, not just about exercise, but about taking care of ourselves and the rest of the world."

Senior Crissy Kirklin also felt that Weathers has contributed greatly to SPU and its students as a positive role model.

"Dr. Weathers is honestly one of the most intelligent people I have ever met, and the Exercise Science Department, as well as SPU as a whole, has been so incredibly blessed to have his expertise and innovation," Kirklin said. "He has been a fundamental part of the growth of exercise science, and we have had him right here in our midst."

Kirklin and Kessler had only positive words to say about Weathers.

"We're all just really thankful to have spent this last year with him and just receive all the knowledge that he has passed onto us that we will forever use," Kessler said. "As an adviser and a teacher, he's just the nicest, most knowledgeable, loving guy."

Kessler said he strives to be more like Weathers.

"I really look up to him," Kessler said. "As I go out from graduating, I'd definitely like to try to be most like him. He's very passionate about what he teaches, and I can tell he just has a good heart."

Weathers was asked to give the benediction at the last Faculty Senate meeting of the year.

"I wish I had the presence of mind to say to my colleagues, 'Thanks for letting me play,'" he said. "Because that's what I feel it's been."

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