The Famous Robbie Roach Story!

In the 1970’s, I was involved in a science field trip experience for high school students.

We camped for two weeks in the Monogahelia National Forest with base camps established at Dolly Sods and Spruce Knob.

The President of Glenville State College at the time was Dr. D. Banks Wilburn.

Before we left campus, the Chairman of the Science Division and I were discussing field trip plans and felt we needed a mascot for the science camp. We were pondering what type of critter would make a fine camping mascot, when out from the wall board in the Administration Building came crawling a cockroach. Hark- the new mascot!

We named him D.Banks since he crawled out of a crack above the President's office - certainly no disrespect was intended.

The kids cared for that little roach throughout the field experience... making little tents in the evening in which to place D. Bank’s jar and even collecting blueberries for that fellow.

He went on hikes and participated in most all field activities. That fall after the summer field experience D. Banks, our beloved mascot, died. A special lady in my life, Bea Brown, was our secretary. Bea has taught me many things, one being the importance of ceremonies in our lives; and, of course, funerals were one of those special and required ceremonies. Bea suggested we give D. Banks a proper sendoff. Sounded like a good idea at the time.

D. Banks was placed in a velvet lined ring box, a cross was made of tooth picks, Bea wrote a poem for the occasion, and finally we prepared a proper wake. The wake was conducted in the afternoon in my office on the second floor of the Administration Building.- we had candles burning in the darkened office and a requiem mass playing softly. Students during class changes would venture in, become very respectful of the departed six legged creature, sign the guest register, and peer into the little ring case. "He looks so natural" was a comment often heard.

My friend and colleague, who taught our Death and Dying class, was fascinated by the students respectful demeanor. All was well- until danger raised it's ugly head.

We had on campus a newspaper called The Mercury. Because of the stir the wake was having on campus, the Mercury photographer arrived to do a front page spread on D. Banks funeral ceremonies. The photographer asked me.. “What is the roach's name?”

It was at that moment that I realized that I had a problem! A feeling of great uneasiness materialized in my cerebrum! DANGER!

Yes, it would be hard to explain that our roach was given the name of D. Banks in loving honor of our current President. This was also a name that certainly was not common among the hills of Gilmer County.

Quickly I blurted..ROBBY..... Robby Roach! RELIEF- Danger has Passed!

Yes, Robby Roach, this small arthropod, made his way into the front page of the Mercury and into the hearts of all who knew him.