Robert LeRoy “Robbie” Corker’s classmates at West Rowan High School knew he
was too sick to have visitors or talk on the telephone, but many of them thought he’d
get better somehow and come back to school eventually.His troubles seemed to start last winter
when he fell and hit his head playing basketball. The doctor said he was fine. But the
last couple weeks of school, when he started having headaches and vision problems,
everybody thought maybe the fall had caused a concussion after all.
Then right after Christmas, X-rays
revealed a brain tumor, and Robbie had surgery followed by two weeks in intensive care.
From then on, things kept getting worse. More surgery and other treatments couldn’t
stop the tumor, and even when he could go home, he couldn’t deal with visitors or
telephone conversations.
His classmates kept calling
anyway, and Robbie’s mother, Karen Jo, relayed their messages to him. She also read
all their letters to him. She is a nurse and stayed home, along with Robbie’s father,
Danny William, to care for him.
Home was the best place for Robbie
to be. His math teacher, Elaine Ervin, said, “He loved his family, especially his big
brother, Danny (II).”
Ervin said Robbie “placed
friendship above his own needs” and was “an inspiration for many of his
friends,” especially in his hard work to earn a diploma.
“I know he fought to live
with all he had; for it was not his nature to give up,” Ervin said.
Robbie lost the fight, at home,
4:20 a.m. Monday. He was 17.
His school friends kept writing
letters to him and about him. The students hadn’t intended the letters for
publication but agreed to let the Post print parts of them.
From Sarah: “How can I put my
emotions into the perfect words? He was always the kind of person who would give his
friends 110 percent. As a good friend I’d just like to say ‘I love you,
LeRoy,’ and hope all is well with you -- forever and ever and always remember to
smile! Amen.”
From Sherry: “ . . . He was
never selfish. He cared so much about his friends; he protected them when they were in
trouble. He always said he’d rather have something happen to him than any of his
friends.”
From Melissa: “Although I
never told him how much he meant to me he was the key to my smile. . . . I’m just
going to try to keep a smile on my face for Robbie because I know that would make him
happy. He didn’t like for me to cry so I’m going to try my best not to. Somehow
I’d going to have to dig down deep and find that smile he liked to see. I loved
Robbie and I still love him. . . “
From Andy: “He was one of my
best friends. He was a bright soul. . . He loved his family and his friends more than
anything. He would have fought to save and help any of us. He was so prideful and had
turned his life around. He was going to be the first person in his family to graduate high
school. . . I don’t know why this happened to him. He is in a better place now. I
wish I could be with him. I am sorry but I cannot write anymore.”
From Leslie: “How could I
have let you leave without saying goodbye? There were so many things I would’ve liked
to have said before you left, Robbie, you were a wonderful person to me -- you have to
admit; our days at Blue Bay were just great. You walking me out to my car every night
after work. By the way; you do give great hugs. . . I know that you’re in heaven now
Robbie, and your suffering is over. I love you and I will never forget.”
From Jessica: “So maybe we
weren’t the best friends in the world, we were family. . .he is better now, but what
I personally wouldn’t give for him to have one more breath. I know how important he
was, now to so many people. . .”
From Jeremy: “I remember
Robbie as a good friend. . . If I was ever mad, he would always try to cheer me up so we
could both laugh together. . . It’s not fair that a life that’s never had a
chance to live but is so short. But I know everything happens for a reason. But why must I
feel like this. I feel empty, alone inside.”
From Rob: “. . . I miss you.
Everybody does. I don’t know why out of all the people God could have taken he had to
choose you. The only reason I can think of is that He wanted someone like you, because
there is only one, to be with Him up there. Well I hope He knows that He’s in the
finest of company. I am sure by now He does, cause you make anyone laugh anytime. You are
the greatest friend that I will ever have. You’re always there for me and I can
always trust you. . .With time pain will fade, but memories will last forever and so will
Robbie.”
From Mandi: “ . . . He was an
amazing friend, a determined student, and a loving brother and son. . . You could talk to
Robbie about anything. He always knew what to say and what advice to give. He never judged
anybody by their past. He was a strong believer in changing. He had faith in everybody.
His famous line was, ‘All ____needs is to show him love.’ . . . I am going to
miss the little things the most. Like meeting him between classes to exchange letters. So
is everyone else around him.”
From Robbie’s math teacher,
Elaine Ervin: “ . . . Perhaps the halls seem less friendly this far without his
smiles and encouraging words, but the echoes of his presence shall long remain. . .
.”
From Dr. Pam Beaver, curriculum
specialist while Robbie was in school: “. . . Not many students can be accepted by
all different groups at a high school, but Robbie was. He was a warm, caring person and
everyone will miss him.”
The funeral for Robert Leroy
“Robbie” Corker was held at 11 a.m. today at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He
was buried in the family plot of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. |
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