Bob Purvis

Bob Purvis was 6’5” tall, was slender with long arms and long legs. He ran cross-country, was a three time letter winner on the track team, and a three-time letter winner in basketball. He ran the hurdles in track displaying a fluidity that belied the aggressiveness with which he raced. He used his long legs, his athleticism, and that same fluidity to win the Indoor State High Jump Championship in 1965. His personal best was 6’2”. A three year starter on the basketball team, he averaged 16.7 points per game as the 1964 and 1965 teams captured Suburban Conference titles.   Bob was voted 1st team All Suburban. With those long arms, long legs, and unbelievable timing and anticipation, the lefty was one of the great rebounders in Suburban Conference history. His school record of 15.5 rebounds per game is deceiving as Purvis played alongside fellow Wauwatosa East Hall of Famer 6’8” Ted Voigt who averaged 14.5 rebounds per game. More interested in the team’s success than his own, Bob’s great strength was his ability to blend in with the talented teammates and do the little things necessary to make a team successful. The 1965 team was the pre-tournament favorite for the State Tournament. Losing the first game and winning the next two Tosa East captured the Consolation Championship. It may have been Bob Purvis’ finest hour as he set state records for most rebounds in a game with 26, and most rebounds for 3 games with 56. He received All Tournament as well as All State Honorable Mention honors. Bob played three varsity seasons at Brown University, serving as captain for two years and graduating as the # 9 career rebound leader.