Robert “Bob” Charles Baptista of Carol Stream, Illinois, passed away on Oct. 9, 2015. Baptista served as Sterling College president from 1973-75.

“Baptista’s influence on Sterling College, although brief, has left a legacy here on campus. Although it is sad to hear of his passing, Baptista lived a life of Christian service that his family can be proud of and has influenced thousands of lives across the nation,” said Scott Rich, president.  

Baptista was born in Evanston, Illinois, in 1922 and began his bachelor’s degree at Wheaton College (IL). Part-way through, he took a leave from school to serve in the army during World War II, and afterward returned to complete his undergraduate degree. He also completed a master’s degree at University of Buffalo (NY) and a doctorate at Indiana University.

Baptista served as a college professor at Roberts Wesleyan College and started both physical education and intercollegiate athletic programs. He moved to Wheaton College where he was on the faculty and first full-time soccer coach. He was the first college coach in the Midwest to earn 100 soccer victories. He served as chairman of the NCAA Soccer Rules and Tournament Committee and in 1975, he received the National Honor Award of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

In 1966 he was named Dean of Faculty at Wheaton and two years later, became Vice President for Academic Affairs.

In 1973, he was named president of Sterling College and named Wheaton College Alumnus of the Year.

Baptista became president at Taylor University following his time in Kansas. He also served as vice president for academic affairs at Trinity International University until he retired in 1987. Baptista was Chairman of the Board of the Council for Advancement of Small Colleges and served as a Board member of the American Council on Education. 

Following retirement, Baptista was named president of Covenant Enabling Residences, Inc., and spent several years constructing a facility and developing a residential program for adults with developmental disabilities. Bjorklund House in Oak Forest, Illinois, is now fully occupied by 16 disabled adults. He was also chairman of the board of Sunny Ridge Family Center, an international Social Service Agency, and a member of the board of elders at College Church in Wheaton.

Baptista and his wife, Martha, moved to Windsor Park Manor in Carol Stream in 2006 where he served on many committees.