Family Fun Day and Bike Ride to honor life of Bob Kieswetter
Chris Pepple |
On June 16, 2007, Bob Kieswetter almost finished a 30-mile bike ride with several friends. Instead of finishing at the parking lot of Brentwood Hills Church of Christ, however, he lost control of his bicycle about a quarter of a mile away and struck a tree. He died that day leaving behind his wife Rachel and two sons, five-year-old Ryan and one-year-old Reid.
To honor his life and to grow the Bob Kieswetter Scholarship Fund at Lipscomb University, a family fun day and bike ride has been planned for Saturday, June 14, at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ on Franklin Road. The 35-mile bike ride starts at 7:00 a.m. The 25-mile bike ride starts at 7:45 a.m. The 5-mile family ride starts at 9:30 a.m. All other family events start at 9:00 a.m. Activities for the day include food, live entertainment, games and face painting.
Bob Kieswetter came from a long line of educators. He was a physical education teacher in the Nashville area for many years. He was first introduced to Lipscomb University through Don Meyer’s Bisons basketball camp. He became an active volunteer with the Mustang programs for David Lipscomb Campus School. He touched the lives of many coaches and athletes during his lifetime and inspired his friends to honor his life through ongoing family activities and a scholarship fund which will spread to others the infectious spirit Kieswetter carried with him through life. Father’s Day weekend seemed like the perfect time to hold these events.
Ritchie Pickens, middle school coordinator for the David Lipscomb Campus School, compared Kieswetter to a big dog. “Every single time you interacted with Bob, he brought an infectious attitude of energy, friendship, godliness and family and he left a little bit ‘on you’ like the slobber of a great dog. No matter where you were or how you were feeling, when you interacted with Bob, he would leave a little bit of everything I mentioned ‘on you.’ I am grateful and blessed to have some Bob on me.”
Kieswetter’s family and close friends have decided that the truest way to honor such a great father, son, husband and friend is to allow his spirit to carry on the impact he was making in so many lives, often in unnoticeable ways.
“The scholarship in his honor will help give kids the chance to do some things that were very important to Bob and his family. Bylaws have been established to help select kids who reflect the qualities of a great person like Bob, one dedicated to his family, his relationship with God, and one who chooses a life of making a positive spiritual impact on the lives of others,” said Scott Grismore, administrator with Brentwood’s Children’s Clinic.
“I applaud his friends for coming together in such a wonderful way. It is a great opportunity when communities come together to remember a loved one. This is the impact of our brotherhood. Lipscomb is honored to be one of the ways Bob Kieswetter’s memory will be kept alive,” said Bennie Harris, vice president for development at Lipscomb University.
“Bobby came from a family of educators. We understand the importance of an endowed scholarship. We’re quite excited that Bobby will live on in this way,” said Mrs. Keiswetter, Bob’s mother.
The Family Fun Day and Bike Ride will be a day for celebrating a family man, a good friend, and an athlete. The day will also help further Kieswetter’s passion for education as donations are accepted for the scholarship fund. Anyone interested in participating in the bike rides should contact Scott Brooks or Ritchie Pickens. Questions regarding the family activities should be directed to Jill Freeze:
Scott Brooks—615.390.8463 or SFBrooks@comcast.net
Ritchie Pickens—615.333.3217 or Ritchie.Pickens@lipscomb.edu
Jill Freeze—615.377.1989 or jillfreeze@yahoo.com