Bob Kercher
{{Short description|American football player (1919–2004)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Bob Kercher
| image =
| caption =
| position = End
| number = 18
| birth_date = {{birth date|1919|1|14|mf=y}}
| birth_place = German Township, Indiana, U.S.
| birth_name = Robert Frederick Kercher
| death_date = {{death date and age|2004|1|4|1919|1|14|mf=y}}
| death_place = Russell, Kansas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 196
| high_school = Reitz Memorial {{nowrap|(Evansville, Indiana)}}
Scarborough Day School
(Briarcliff Manor, New York)
| college = Georgetown (1937–1939)
| undraftedyear = 1940
| pastteams =
- Paterson Panthers (1940)
- Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|1941|1943}})*
- →Wilmington Clippers (1941–1942)
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|1944}})*
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1944}})
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 2
| pfr = KercBo20
}}
Robert Frederick Kercher (January 14, 1919 – January 4, 2004) was an American professional football player. He played college football for the Georgetown Hoyas and later for four seasons professionally as an end. He played in the American Association (AA) for the Paterson Panthers and Wilmington Clippers and in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers. He was also a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.
Early life
Robert Frederick Kercher was born on January 14, 1919, in German Township, Indiana,{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/k/kerc00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 22, 2025|title=Bob Kercher Stats}} to Catherine (née Beckerle) and John F. Kercher. He had seven sisters and two brothers; his cousin, Dick Kercher, also played professional football.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salina-journal-obituary-for-robert-f/170939467/|newspaper=The Salina Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 8, 2004|page=4|title=Robert F. Kercher}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press-kercher-signs-with-detr/156192174/|newspaper=Evansville Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 14, 1954|page=50|title=Kercher Signs With Detroit Lions}} {{Open access}} He attended Reitz Memorial Catholic High School in Evansville, Indiana, where he competed in football, baseball, and track and field.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-news/170902925/|newspaper=The Morning News|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 10, 1941|page=16|title=Philadelphia Eagles Option End Bob Kercher to Fleet}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evansville-journal/170903112/|newspaper=The Evansville Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 16, 1936|page=6|title=Memorial Nips Wildcat Club}} {{Open access}} An end in football, he started on championship teams in 1934 and 1935 and was named both all-city and all-state in those years.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press/170903198/|newspaper=Evansville Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 20, 1938|page=14|title=Georgetown Likes Bob Kercher}} {{Open access}} He was on the 1933, 1934, and 1935 Memorial teams that compiled undefeated records.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star/170933851/|newspaper=Washington Evening Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 16, 1938|page=37|title=Kercher of Georgetown on His Sixth Straight Unbeaten Eleven|author=Hawkins, Burton}} {{Open access}} As a senior in 1935, he was named the city's most outstanding player, and the Evansville Press described him as "probably the best end turned out in a score of years in southern Indiana football".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press/170904656/|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 1, 1935|page=13|title=Name Kercher Outstanding Star Of Year}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press/170904735/|newspaper=Evansville Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 19, 1935|page=8|title=Bob Kercher Is Placed on All-Indiana Grid Team}} {{Open access}}
Kercher graduated from Memorial in 1936. He then played a season at Scarborough Day School in Briarcliff Manor, New York. He played with fellow Memorial alumnus Len Will at Scarborough, and the two scored 81 of the team's 134 points in the 1936 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press/170905045/|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 29, 1936|page=14|title=Len Will, Bob Kercher Pace Scarborough Prep School Eleven to Undefeated Season}} {{Open access}} Kercher helped Scarborough to an undefeated record that year and also played basketball there.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-star/170905166/|newspaper=The Standard-Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 28, 1937|page=21|title=Iona Suffers Worst Loss; Scarborough Wins, 44-17|author=Floersheimer, Al}} {{Open access}}
College career
Kercher enrolled at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in 1937. That year, he played for the freshman football team and helped them to an undefeated season. He then made the varsity team in 1938 and Georgetown compiled a perfect record of 8–0. The Washington Evening Star described him as playing a "steady, aggressive game", and he caught both touchdowns in the team's 14–7 win over the Maryland Terrapins in the final game of the season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-star/170934813/|newspaper=Washington Evening Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 4, 1938|page=37|title=Star's All-District College Eleven Reveals Wealth of Talent|author=Stan, Francis E.}} {{Open access}} He played his last season for Georgetown in 1939, and once again his team went undefeated, although Georgetown recorded one tie in the season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant/170935227/|newspaper=Hartford Courant|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 20, 1939|page=13|title=The Christmas Spirit}} {{Open access}} Kercher was selected both All-D.C. and All-Eastern{{clarify|reason=What does "All-D.C. and All-Eastern" mean?|date=May 2025}} in his two seasons with the Georgetown varsity, and he also played two seasons of varsity baseball and basketball. He did not return for his senior year due to academic issues.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-herald/170935856/|newspaper=Washington Times Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 7, 1940|page=33|title=Loss of Kercher Hogerty's Only Worry at Georgetown|author=Addie, Bob}} {{Open access}}
Professional career
In 1940, Kercher signed with the Paterson Panthers of the American Association (AA), turning down an offer from the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL).{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call/170936229/|newspaper=The Morning Call|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 11, 1940|page=18|title=Panthers Sign Jim Welsch, Former Fullback At Purdue}} {{Open access}} In addition to end, he was also used at times as a placekicker for the Panthers, scoring a game-winning extra point in a 20–19 win against the Providence Steamrollers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call/170937266/|newspaper=The Morning Call|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 20, 1940|page=29|title=His Toe Valuable}} {{Open access}} He ended up appearing in nine games for the Panthers, recording four extra points made and one field goal while the team compiled a record of 6–4.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1940afapat.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 23, 2025|title=1940 Paterson Panthers (AFA)}} He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL in July 1941.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-courier-and-press/170937792/|newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 22, 1941|page=8|title=Bob Kercher To Play on Eagle 11}} {{Open access}} After not making the team, he was optioned to the Wilmington Clippers of the AA in September 1941. He appeared in 13 of the 14 games played by the Clippers (including exhibitions) and scored one touchdown.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-journal/170505381/|newspaper=Journal-Every Evening|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 24, 1941|page=20|title=Clippers, Expecting to Operate, Must Wait War Developments}} {{Open access}} He played in eight of the team's nine AA games, seven as a starter, and helped the Clippers to a record of 4–3–1 and the league championship title.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1941afawil.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 23, 2025|title=1941 Wilmington Clippers (AFA)}}
Kercher re-signed with the Eagles in 1942 but was released and returned to the Clippers, now an independent team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/k/kerc00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 23, 2025|title=Bob Kercher Transactions}} He appeared in eight games, one as a starter, and helped the team compile an undefeated record of 8–0–1.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1942wil.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=April 23, 2025|title=1942 Wilmington Clippers}} He was released by the Eagles in August 1943. Kercher later joined the New York Giants in April 1944. In August, he was acquired by the Green Bay Packers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/170938996/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 30, 1944|page=13|title=Packers Shove Off Thursday}} {{Open access}} He appeared in two games for the Packers as a backup and was a member of their 1944 NFL championship team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KercBo20.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=April 23, 2025|title=Bob Kercher Stats}} He did not return to the team in 1945, ending his professional career.
Later life and death
During professional football career, Kercher married Marjorie Schaich on January 6, 1942 in Evansville, Indiana. They made their home in Wilmington, Delaware. He worked in the oilfield supply business in Colorado, Wyoming, and Oklahoma before finally moving to Russell, Kansas,.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evansville-press/170939398/|newspaper=Evansville Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 20, 1961|page=38|title=Oil News|author=Robertson, Mitty}} {{Open access}} where worked for Bovaird Oil Field Supply and was also a manager for LoMar Bowling Supply Store. Kercher was also an ardent golfer and worked as a golf pro for the Russell Municipal Golf Course.
Marjorie Kercher preceded her husband Bob in death on November 23, 2001, after nearly 60 years of marriage. He died on January 4, 2004, at the age of 84. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, and his parents. He was survived by his seven sisters.
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{cite web|accessdate=June 14, 2025
|url=https://digital.evpl.org/digital/api/collection/p16848coll6/id/9907/download|via=Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library|title=Engagement Announcement of Robert Kercher and Marjorie Schaich
|work=Sunday Courier and Press|date=December 7, 1941}}
{{cite web|accessdate=June 14, 2025
|url=https://digital.evpl.org/digital/api/collection/p16848coll6/id/9907/download|via=Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library|title=Wedding Announcement of Marjorie and Robert Kercher|work=The Evansville Press|date=January 8, 1942}}
i
{{cite web|accessdate=June 14, 2025
|url=https://digital.evpl.org/digital/api/collection/p16848coll6/id/9907/download|via=Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library|title=Obituary: Robert F. Kercher}}
}}
{{1944 Green Bay Packers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kercher, Bob}}
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Georgetown Hoyas football players
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:Players of American football from Evansville, Indiana