This story is adapted from Tony Cooper’s reflections, published in the church bulletin after Bobby’s death.
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The Coronavirus hit too close to home. One of my former youth ministry kids died from Covid-19.

His name is Bobby, and he was one of the most memorable teens I ever served in my 16 years as a Youth Minister. He was remarkable for the things he did not have. He didn’t have money. He lived in the projects. He did not have a high GPA. He had mental disabilities and needed special education. Bobby had a speech impediment, and was sometimes hard to understand. He got picked on by bullies a lot in school & the neighborhood. He had no father at home.

But, despite all these negative factors in his life, I really loved this kid. He had: a very generous heart and spirit. He was poor, but he would give you his last dollar. He always said good things about people. Bobby was kind to everyone. He came to church regularly. He always asked how I and my family were doing.

Bobby was a good steward. He received God’s gifts gratefully, developed them, and shared them with others. He volunteered to help with any youth activity. He loved being a part of St. Mary’s Youth Ministry. He was so appreciative that everyone accepted him there.

The funniest memory of Bobby comes from our Annual Summer Camp Out. I had to swap canoes to help Bobby finish the 6-mile river trip. He and his brother were stuck and going nowhere less than 1/2 mile into the trip. Bobby and I became boat buddies that day. We had the best time laughing and joking with his brother and my wife in the other boat. Bobby mentioned it for years about the great time we had that day.

We moved away from New Albany 30 years ago. But, we always visit every year, usually during the Harvest Homecoming fall festival. And, we would always see Bobby at the festival. He walked everywhere, and always had a smile on his face.

I was just stunned when I got the sad news from his sister that Bobby had died of Covid-19. Debbie told me Bobby had health issues for about the last 15 years, and a year ago, he needed nursing home care. When the Coronavirus swept Indiana, Bobby’s nursing home was hard hit. Bobby and two of his roommates died of the virus. He was only 55.

So, when this pandemic finally leaves us, we will look back and remember how it changed our lives, and changed our world. And I will always have the sad memory of how it took my special friend, Bobby … way too young.

In Him,
Tony Cooper
Stewardship and Development