Robert I. Dwyer

Robert Dwyer Obituary

Dwyer, Robert I. (Age 91) On Tuesday, August 28, 2007, Robert I. Dwyer, of Denton, MD. Beloved husband of Ruth E. Dwyer; father of Robert T. (Patti) Dwyer and Mary Catherine (Bill) Mullooly; grandfather of Patrick Robert Dwyer and Peter Joseph Dwyer; also survived by his nieces, nephews and his extended family, Fred Everett, Linda Fontaine, Tom Everett and their families. Relatives and friends may call at St. Anselm's Abbey School Gymnasium, 4501 South Dakota Avenue, NE, Washington, DC Friday, 6-8 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Brian Murphy Children's College Fund, c/o St. Anselm's Abbey School, 4501 South Dakota Avenue, NE, Washington, DC 20017 or Archbishop Carroll High School Athletic Fund, c/o Achbishop Carroll High School, 4300 Harewood Road, NW, Washington DC 20017. Arrangements by COLLINS FUNERAL HOME.

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Published by Washington Times from Aug. 31 to Sep. 29, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Dwyer

12 Entries

Larry Smith

September 24, 2007

I had the good luck to play basketball for Bob Dwyer at Carroll right at the beginning, 1952-1955. Before commenting on that I'd like to point out one thing about him that struck me only as an adult. Mr. Dwyer did not pay the rent from his coaching pay but from selling life insurance. Yet, so far as I know, he never approached any of the parents of his players to buy life insurance. He for sure never approached mine. I suspect parents might have been ripe targets but he had the moral sense to keep business and coaching separate.

High school is a very important and often intense time and impressions made then often last a lifetime. Certainly, I have never forgotten Mr. Dwyer's patient and intelligent approach to basketball, his sense of calm whether winning or losing, and, especially, the way he treated his players, from starters to third-string. With him coaching in heaven, now I wouldn't want to be on the devil's team.

Xavier Suarez

September 6, 2007

The entire Suarez clan put him in our very special prayer request.
He was a substitute father for many of us.
He was, to me, the example of the wise and firm mentor who believed in me against all odds....And his belief made us forget our limitations, achieving great results on the court that no one thought possible. Later in life, that experience of overcoming expectations served us well in more important endeavors.
Coach Dwyer was a man's man. A person who truly combined firmness, discipline, respect for authority and traditional values with a smile that bespoke kindness and a special joie de vivre.
He was family without being familiar. He was simple without being simple-minded. He was our elder without being removed and distant. He was one of those special people whom you revere as a father until you reach adulthood and then - seamlessly - becomes a friend whose company you enjoy.
Coach is gone but his memory lives on, for many, many years.
Xavier Suarez
Class of '67
ex-Mayor of Miami

Joe McGrath

September 4, 2007

Both my father (circa 1940) and I (early 1970's) had the pleasure of playing for Coach Dwyer.

Coach Dwyer did more than win an amazing percentage of games. He instilled in his players a sense of sportsmanship. He was always a gentleman and a true coach. Thanks

Jim Slade

September 4, 2007

To Bobby and Family: Your Dad was not only an excellent coach, but was also a great man. His legacy lives on. Jim Slade, Sidwell Friends '71.

Mary Suarez Hamm

September 3, 2007

Coach Dwyer was like a second father to me too-- and I never played for him!!! I sat on the sidelines with Mary Catherine and all the other parents and cheered by heart out for my boyfriend (now husband - Peter Hamm) and my four brothers -- X, Charlie, Mel, and Manny Suarez. Thanks Coach!!! Mary Suarez Hamm

Sean Murphy

September 1, 2007

My family and I were saddened to learn of Coach Dwyers passing. My brother, Brian Murphy, greatly admired him and we are incredibly touched that the Dwyer family thought of Brians children during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Manny Suarez

September 1, 2007

We had four brothers (Xavier, Charlie, Mel and Manny) play hoops for Coach Dwyer from 1963 to 1974 at St Anselm’s Abbey. We were forced to leave Cuba after the Bay of Pigs fiasco and were lucky enough to attend the Abbey. Coach was like our second father.

Thank you Bobby and Mary for sharing him with us. He will be missed.

Bernadette Warren

August 30, 2007

Dear Ruth and family - I am sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I worked with him for many years and learned a great deal about insurance. He was a dedicated man in the insurance business as well as his sports endeavors. My heartfelt sympathies go out to you and the rest of the family in your great loss.

Pat O'Brien

August 30, 2007

I ent to Nativity School in Washington in 1945 and 1946. He coached both football and basketball and also was involved in scouting. I also remember his fantastic coaching career at Carroll. I have never understood why he received so little press for that great streak.

Pat O'Brien

Lloyd F Hall

August 30, 2007

I was fortunate to have met Coach Bob Dwyer while a 14 yr old at ACHS in 1952. He was our basketball coach and I was a student manager for three years working under his direction. I owe my love of basketball to his knowledge and guidance. He was a giant among his peers and I will never forget all the kindnesses he bestowed.
To Bob and Mary Catherine: your dad did mighty fine by you two. He will remain in my prayers. God bless you and family.

August 30, 2007

Coach Bob Dwyer was an outstanding teacher. He set before our Carroll basketball teams the highest grade to which we might aspire and he helped us refine our individual and collective talents to the point that we exceeded even those projected expectations. He created a sense of unity and team togetherness that allowed us to transcend the racial barriers of the day. He always cared for us as individuals and he followed our lives and careers with real personal interest after graduation. I used to talk with him on the telephone just about every year.
May the good Lord bless him and keep him and welcome him into eternal glory.

Ed 'Monk' Malloy, CSC
Carroll High School '59
President Emeritus, University of Notre Dame

Father John Mudd

August 30, 2007

I was blessed to have been a student at John Carroll High School when Bob Dwyer was the coach of those legendary basketball teams in 1959 and 1960 that went undefeated for two consecutive seasons, but it was even a greater blessing to have known Coach Dwyer in recent years and to have a glimpse into the good character of this great man. May the angels lead him into paradise and may God comfort all his family and many friends.

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