Robert Derr is a 1968 graduate of Warwick High School in Lititz, Pennsylvania.

He began his wrestling career in junior high under the leadership of John D. Thomas, also a Lifetime Service to Wrestling recipient. After graduation, Bobby continued his wrestling at West Chester University under coaches Milt Collier and Dale Bonsall.

After graduation, Derr returned to his alma mater to teach and coach junior high wrestling. For nine years, his teams compiled a record of 88-8 while never having a losing season. From 1975-81 his teams won 65 consecutive matches.

Derr's officiating career began in 1972, when he joined the Lancaster-Lebanon League Wrestling Officials Association. He has been officiating high school wrestling for 38 years. He has officiated 32 sectional tournaments, 31 district tournaments, four state tournaments and one state team dual tournament. For the past 26 years, Bobby has been the Rules Interpreter for the Lancaster-Lebanon League.

His collegiate career includes 21 years officiating the Mid-American Conference NCAA Division III qualifier, two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournaments, one Eastern Wrestling League NCAA Division I qualifier, eight Eastern Regional NCAA Division I qualifiers, 13 Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference/Coastal Athletic Association NCAA Division I qualifiers, two NCAA Division II Championships and 11 NCAA Division I Championships.

Besides coaching and officiating wrestling, Derr was head track and field coach at Warwick for 28 years and for the past 26 years, he has coached girls field hockey, compiling an impressive record of 476-99-33. His teams have won three Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state champions.

Derr was named National Field Hockey Coach of the Year in 2000 and National High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2001.