Lawrence R. Eberst

EBERST Lawrence R. "Larry" Eberst, 54, of Delaware, died unexpectedly Tuesday evening, July 14, 2009. He was born December 6, 1954 in Delaware to James and Lucille (Galluzzo) Eberst. He was a graduate of Delaware Hayes High School where he ran track, cross country, and played basketball earning him 10 Varsity Letters. To this day he still holds the school record in the mile relay. He then graduated from Miami University and received his Master's Degree in Education from Ashland University. For the past 32 years, he has taught Physical Education in the district's elementary schools, primarily Conger and Carlisle. From 1980 until 1992, he served as the assistant coach for the Ohio Wesleyan Mens Varsity Basketball Team, winning a National Championship in 1988. In 1994, he became the head basketball coach for the Delaware Hayes Pacers and continued to coach until the present time. During his coaching career, he won 5 Coach of The Year and multiple other awards and was considered one of the "Deans" of the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association, and compiled the winningest record at Hayes High School standing at 194 wins and 132 losses. In the mid 1990's, he founded and was still running the Hayes Pacer Basketball Camp. He was well known for his integrity, passion, and fairness. It wasn't always about basketball but sportsmanship and life's lessons. His enjoyment and love of flying led him to build his first ultralight in 1979 in which he learned to fly. In the mid 1980's, he built another ultra light, a Falcon. In 1989 he became licensed as a private pilot and purchased his first plane, a 1942 Aeronca Champ. From 1995 until 2008 he owned an RV4 single engine airplane. Family was the most important thing to him. He was also an avid humorist and loved to make people laugh. He also enjoyed croquet, boating, kayaking, water skiing, snow skiing, running, and was an avid car enthusiast. He is survived by his wife of almost 6 years, Peggy (Keethler/Butterman); two sons, Christopher and Kyle of Delaware; two brothers, William "Bill" (Carin) Eberst of Leesburg, Va. and Robert "Rob" (Katie) Eberst of Columbus; two step-daughters, Stephanie (John) Hughes and Carie (Chad) Delong, all of Columbus; five step- grandchildren, Brittany Hay, Brock and Brodan Hughes, Madison Monroe, and Miley Delong; two nieces, Jennifer (Josh) Palm and Christin Eberst and her fiance', Kevin Gilmartin; dear uncle and aunts, Larry (Gertie) Galluzzo and Agnes Work, all of Delaware; countless cousins, extended family members and close friends. The family will receive friends today (Friday, July 17) from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the RODMAN NEEPER FUNERAL HOME, 1510 W. William St., Delaware. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 18 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 82 E. William St., Delaware with Frs. Kevin Kavanagh, James Black, and David Schalk officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. The family will then host a reception in the Rodman Neeper Community Room immediately following the committal services. Contributions may be made to the Larry Eberst Memorial Athletic Scholarship in care of any Delaware County Bank Branch. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.rodmanneeper.com.