Bob Kahn Photo Gallery

Oberlin, Ohio – The Oberlin College Athletics Department extends its deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Robert Kahn and John Stern, who recently passed away and were great friends to the College.

Kahn, a 1955 graduate, lettered in track, cross country and tennis during his time as a student-athlete. He gave the lead gift in helping build the state-of-the-art Robert Kahn Track and Fred Shults Field. The facility was officially dedicated to him last April, before he passed away on October 16.

“We would not have successful track and cross country programs at Oberlin without the generosity of Bob Kahn,” Oberlin College Delta Lodge Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard said. “He cared deeply about our student-athletes and loved Oberlin College with all his heart. We are fortunate that Bob was able to see his philanthropic vision realized with the dedication of Kahn Track last April."

In his honor, the 2009-10 track and field team has dedicated its season to him.

Director of Track & Field Ray Appenheimer is most grateful for what Mr. Kahn meet meant to him and the Oberlin track & field program. “It was one of the great pleasures of my tenure at Oberlin to be introduced to Mr. Kahn last spring and to spend time with him during the dedication for the Robert Kahn Track and Field facility,” Appenheimer said. “When thinking back to that weekend, one memory is fixed my mind. Athletic Director Joe Karlgaard and I snuck out of a reception with Mr. Kahn to first show him the facility that bears his name. Upon stepping onto the track, Bob was overcome with emotion. With tears streaming down his face he talked about how important athletics and track and field were to his life, and how honored he was to give back to Oberlin and to a sport he loved. We tried to express our gratitude for his gift, but he would hear nothing of it. The entire event, which was planned to fete and thank Mr. Kahn's goodwill, turned out to be something quite different and quite wonderful. It was Bob saying 'thank you' to Oberlin, and to track and field. It was an honor to witness firsthand the generosity and authenticity of this man. With all of this in mind, the Oberlin College track and field teams are dedicating the 2009-2010 seasons to our great friend, Mr. Bob Kahn. We hope to honor him by matching his passion for this sport in our performances this winter and spring.”

Stern, a 1939 graduate of Oberlin College, was a trustee at the College from 1975-1988. A former soccer player, he was a founding member of the John. W. Heisman Club and was named into the organization's Hall of Fame in 1996. A major supporter of the Heisman Club Field House, Stern endowed Oberlin's North Coast Athletic Conference Scholar-Athlete Award. He also supported the construction of the Don Hunsinger Outdoor Tennis Courts in 2007. He passed away in July.

"We are deeply saddened with the loss of an Oberlin athletics icon, John Stern, this past summer,” Karlgaard said. “John had been instrumental in the resurgence of the athletics department and a great benefactor to the rest of the college. We will miss John's enthusiasm and passion for Oberlin."

Stern's contributions to Oberlin are truly special and both the men's and women's tennis teams will be dedicating their respective seasons to him.

Head Men's Tennis Coach Adam Shoemaker said, “John Stern has been a tremendous supporter of Oberlin College, Oberlin athletics, and of the tennis program. Most recently, the recent upgrades to our outdoor facility, which are allowing us to host the 2010 Division III Men's Tennis National Championships, would not have happened without Mr. Stern's generous assistance. It is because of his long support of Oberlin College and the tennis programs specifically that the men's tennis team is dedicating the 2009-2010 season to John's memory.”

Head Women's Tennis Coach Constantine Ananiadis is also grateful of Stern's support. “John Stern has been instrumental in the development of our women's tennis program. Through his generosity in recent years, we were able to give our tennis facility a much needed facelift and therefore not only provide a much better experience for our current student-athletes, but also be able to attract some high level prospects as well. I am saddened by his death and by the fact that I wasn't able to meet him and thank him in person in my short time here."