Bobby Wayne Covert
A 15-year-old McCallie School student who was injured by a fellow student at the school gymnasium last month has died.
Bobby Wayne Covert died late Tuesday night at a hospital in Lexington, Ky.
The freshman cross country runner had been in and out of a coma in recent weeks, the Lexington Herald Leader reported.
He had been knocked unconscious in the incident in early March after a wiffle ball game, police said.
His uncle, Peter Perreiah, told the Lexington Herald Leader that the other student threw him against a wall. The uncle said after Bobby stuck out his leg, the other student karate-chopped him, causing him to fall and strike his head.
An autopsy is being performed.
McCallie officials said the student had improved enough that he been released to exercise, then he suffered an aneurysm.
McCallie Headmasterr Kirk Walker said, "Our hearts reach out to the Covert family. Bobby was a wonderful, talented young man who never met a stranger. We will miss his engaging smile and incredible energy.
"We ask for prayers for the Covert family and for our students and faculty during this difficult time, and we trust that everyone will respect the family's privacy in this time of grief."
McCallie officials said in an e-mail to parents, "The death of a student is always difficult to comprehend, much less understand. Our guidance counselors as well as our faculty stand ready to provide support for your son. If in conversations with him, you feel he needs additional help, please let us know.
"A memorial service in celebration of Bobby's life will be held for students and faculty in the coming days."
McCallie officials, on Thursday, said, "The McCallie community is tremendously saddened and is praying for the Covert family. We have lost a friend and a young man with tremendous potential. We held a service in our chapel this morning for our students and faculty. In it, our Upper School Head Kenny Sholl spoke, as did one of Bobby's dormitory advisors - who will be the school's chaplain next year - Josh Deitrick. A classmate and close friend of Bobby's closed the service with a prayer.
"We have not yet received the coroner's report on Bobby's death, so we don't know the cause of death. This incident remains under investigation, and we want to respect that. However, it's our understanding that Bobby was cleared from the original medical emergency.
"After leaving the hospital in Chattanooga and returning home, he suffered an aneurysm while exercising. Again, it is our understanding that this aneurysm is what resulted in Bobby's second coma."
Chattanooga Police have been investigating the incident that occurred at 500 Dodds Ave. at the school around 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 2.
According to police, officers were called to the McCallie School Gym on an aggravated assault. When the officers arrived, they found a student unconscious and unresponsive. He was 14 at the time.
According to a witness, there was a wiffle ball game in the McCallie School Gym. Two of the students got into a verbal disorder over the game.
The witness said the verbal disorder became physical with one of the students striking the other and knocking him unconscious.
EMS transported the student to T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital emergency room where he was admitted with a serious head injury.
However, his condition improved and the student was moved into a private room, it was later stated.
Both of the students were first-year McCallie students.
Here is the obituary:
Bobby Wayne Covert II, 15, of Lexington, went to run with Jesus April 22, 2008. Bobby II was born Feb. 11, 1993 to Bobby and Carmen Covert in Lexington, Ky. He was the brother of Lauren Taylor Covert.
He was recognized as a Lexington Young Achiever in May 2007. Accepting the award he was proud to say, “I’m an eighth grade honor student at LTMS. In the past two years I’ve been on the Honor Roll, a member of Beta Club, Academic Team, Math Team, Track Team and the 2005 All-County Honors Band. Recently, I was recognized by the People to People Leadership Summit and was sought by the Duke Talent Search based on high ACT scores. Outside of school I participate in the Crossroads Christian Church basketball leagues and Youth Group. I enjoy music, reading, distance running, travel, biking, volunteering for Habitat and numerous community organizations in addition to playing with my two Yorkies. Much of my spare time is spent mowing lawns with my father.”
Since then, Bobby II matured as a “McCallie Man” at The McCallie School in Chattanooga. He was an Honors Scholar with a 3.6 GPA and lettered in cross country as a freshman. He loved his fellow runners and the volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, Church Under the Bridge, Transylvania All Sports Camp and numerous other organizations in Lexington. He had a growing interest in working with Hurricane Katrina victims. Bobby II always relished a challenge and lived with great passion.
Bobby II is preceded in death by his paternal grandfather and grandmother Charles Russell Covert and Agnes Taylor Covert. Additional survivors include: maternal grandparents Grace and Alan Perreiah; uncles and aunts, Paul and Bev Perrea, Peter and Diana Perreiah, Marty and Aunie Perrea, Scott and Brenda Perrea, Russell Covert; cousins, Andrew and Daniel Perrea, Diana and Reed Perreiah, Mathew and Sarah Perrea, Russ Covert. He will be missed by countless McCallie Men including Bart Wallin, along with Crossroads XSM Leaders Scott Morgan and Tim Stephan, the XSM Youth Group, lifelong school educators and administrators from Clays Mill and LTMS, friends, students, and neighbors and extended family from across and around the nation.
In lieu of flowers remember any of the following charities: Crossroads XSM Student Ministries, 4128 Todds Road, 40509; God’s Pantry, 1685 Jaggie Fox Way, 40511; Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, 40504; Habitat for Humanity, 1260 Industry Road, 40505 & Ubuntu Education Fund (http://www.ubuntufund.org/) or the charity of your choice in honor of Bobby Wayne Covert II.
A Celebration of Life for Bobby Wayne Covert II will be held on Saturday, May 10 at 11 a.m. at Crossroads Christian Church located on Todds Road in Lexington. Following the celebration a potluck lunch will be held and attendees are invited to bring a dish and share memories in this casual setting.