 Gerber from the 1942 Blockhouse | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 1, 1916 Akron, Ohio |
| Died | February 13, 2002 (aged 85) Sandusky, Ohio |
| Nationality | American |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | West (Akron, Ohio) |
| College | Toledo (1939–1942) |
| Playing career | 1942–1948 |
| Position | Forward / center |
| Career history | |
| 1942 | Toledo Jim White Chevrolets |
| 1945–1946 | Indianapolis Kautskys |
| 1946–1947 | Toledo Jeeps |
| 1947 | Minneapolis Lakers |
| 1948 | Tri-Cities BlackHawks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Robert E. Gerber (August 1, 1916 – February 13, 2002) was an American basketball player. He played in the National Basketball League (an NBA predecessor) for four seasons following an All-American college career at the University of Toledo.
Gerber came to Toledo after a somewhat undistinguished high school career in Akron, Ohio. The 6'4 center/forward never lettered until his senior year at Akron South High School.[1] However, he came into his own in college. He earned All-American honors in 1941 and 1942 and as a senior became the all-time collegiate scoring leader for the state of Ohio and broke the national college single-season scoring record with 532 points (both marks since eclipsed).[2][3]
Following the close of his college career, Gerber played briefly with the Toledo Jim White Chevrolets of the NBL before joining the U.S. Army for World War II. Upon his return home, Gerber restarted his professional basketball career, playing three more seasons with the Indianapolis Kautskys, Toledo Jeeps, Minneapolis Lakers and Tri-Cities Blackhawks. He averaged 6.8 points in 93 NBL games.[4]
After his professional career was over, Gerber settled into private life in Toledo, Ohio. He died of heart failure on February 13, 2002, in Sandusky, Ohio.[5]
- ^ "Gerber makes Toledo Rockets standout cage team". The Massillon, Ohio Evening Independent. January 27, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved February 2, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bob Gerber sets new scoring mark at Ohio State". Kokomo Tribune. February 17, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved February 2, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "West Virginia wins invitation cage tournament". Mexia (TX) Weekly Herald. March 27, 1942. p. 10. Retrieved February 2, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bob Gerber at basketball-reference.com". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
- ^ "Ex-basketball player became 2 time All-American at UT". Toledo Blade. February 15, 2002. Retrieved February 2, 2016 – via Google News Archive.
