Bumpus Middle School Students Mourn Death Of Coach; – Students have been fairly calm, not hysterical, Brown said. So is the staff. “He fought this for a long time. We knew this was coming so it wasn’t like a surprise,” the principal said. “But it’s still a very sad time.” Barthel coached Bumpus to the overall eighth-grade football championships in 2004 and 2007, and three division titles. He was the eighth-grade coach of the year in the Metro South league in 2003 and 2007 and the track coach of the year in 2005. The school dedicated its football stadium to Barthel during the 2008 season. Barthel’s wife Debbie teaches PE at Bumpus. The couple have two children, their son Cole and daughter Cody.
Biographic Table
- Full Name: Bob Barthel
- Age: Not provided
- Education: Not provided
- Date of Birth: Not provided
- Place of Birth: Not provided
- Place of Death: Not provided
- Survivors: Wife Debbie, son Cole, and daughter Cody
- Students and faculty at Bumpus Middle School are grieving today after longtime football coach Bob Barthel lost his battle with cancer Sunday night. Principal Joy P. Brown said, “The students are doing alright. Quite a few of them have come into the library and expressed their feelings by writing notes and writing letters.”
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Currie Jefferson Funeral Home on John Hawkins Parkway in Hoover. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hunter Street Baptist Church. The legacy of Coach Bob Barthel extends beyond his accolades in the realm of sports. He was not just a coach but a mentor, a guiding light for many young athletes at Bumpus Middle School. His dedication and passion for his students were evident in every game, every practice session, and every interaction he had with them.
Barthel’s impact on the lives of those he coached cannot be overstated. He instilled in them not just the skills needed to excel on the field but also the values of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. His coaching went beyond the game; it was about shaping young individuals into responsible, resilient adults. As the Bumpus community mourns the loss of Coach Barthel, they also celebrate his life and the profound influence he had on countless students over the years. His memory will live on in the hearts of those he coached and mentored, serving as a reminder of the positive impact one person can have on a community. In this time of sorrow, the Bumpus Middle School family comes together to honor Coach Bob Barthel and the indelible mark he left on their lives. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of students to strive for excellence, both on and off the field.
