On a day meant to be one of great excitement about the successful “Yes 4 Wayne” campaign, a sad shock was sent through the township on Tuesday. Former athletic director and Ben Davis legend Bob Britt passed away at the age of 81, leaving great memories but a mournful feeling in our hearts.

If there was one person you could say bled purple more than anyone, it would be Bob Britt.

“Bob Britt was an institution here on the west side,” WBDG manager Jon Easter said.

Britt graduated Ben Davis in the class of 1953, playing football and basketball in his time here. After getting his bachelor’s degree with Indiana State, Britt served in the Army for two years, then was right back in Wayne Township.

He went on to spend 37 years working in the township — as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, football and basketball coach and athletic director. In his time as an athletic director Ben Davis won ten out of our 27 state championships. Even upon his retirement, he supported Ben Davis athletics devoutly.

“I never had Bob as a teacher, but I knew him as an athletic director and then, after he retired, as a supporter of Ben Davis high school and BD athletics. I remember when I played golf back in the 1990’s, Bob was always very supportive of our program. It’s one of the reasons why we won the state championship in 1992,” Easter said.

“As I got to know him after he retired, I became aware of how devoted he was not only to Ben Davis high school but to his family. He loved his wife, kids and grandchildren so much, and I know they loved him back.

“I’m going to miss hearing that big booming, “HI JON!” in the press box here at Ben Davis.”

Britt’s induction to the Alumni Wall of Fame in 2002 certainly sealed what was already an amazing legacy. He is forever immortalized on the walls of the school he spent so many years in.

His death was met with many tweets sending condolences to the Britt family, including our own superintendent Dr. Jeff Butts. It’s clear how much impact he had on our school and our township.

“Bob Britt was just a good man who loved Wayne Township and the Ben Davis Giants with all his heart. If you can leave the kind of legacy somewhere that he’s left behind here, you’ve done pretty well for yourself,” Easter said.

Visitation will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Friday, May 8 at Chapel Rock Christian Church, a church in which Britt was a long-time member. The funeral service will take place the following day at noon, also at the church.

Britt’s obituary can be seen at: http://flannerbuchanan.tributes.com/obituary/show/Bobby-Gene-Britt-102443250