Catching up with Bob Larcher

CATCHING UP WITH FORMER COVINGTON LATIN SCHOOL HEADMASTER ROBERT LARCHER

In 1988, Mr. Robert “Bob” Larcher was hired as Covington Latin School’s first lay Headmaster. He served in that role until 1998, leading the school through transition, growth, and celebration. I caught up with Mr. Larcher, who is now better known as Deacon Bob. After Covington Latin School, Deacon Larcher continued his career in Catholic Secondary Education, serving as Principal at St. John’s Jesuit High School in Toledo, Ohio (1998-2003), Principal/President at Aquinas High School in Augusta, Georgia (2003-2010) and Principal of Holy Cross Cristo Rey High School in Birmingham, Alabama (2010-2012).

In 2006, he was called to a new path. While at Aquinas High School, he listened to a deacon talking to his students about discernment and whether they were called to a religious or priestly vocation. This sparked something in him. As a young man, he spent two years in seminary, although eventually feeling called to a different life of service as an educator, husband, and father. This spark led to a period of prayer and discernment, after which he began training for the Diaconate in his home diocese, the Diocese of Savannah.He began a 5-year study to complete his Masters in Theology, which was earned in 2012. While not enjoying going back to school, he found good camaraderie and a faithful community in his study. In 2012, he was ordained a deacon and appointed to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Savannah. Deacon Bob described Sacred Heart as a little cathedral, a beautiful church. As a tourist destination, Savannah is the home to many weddings each year. One of his primary roles at Sacred Heart has been to officiate upwards of 30 weddings per year. Since his arrival, Sacred Heart has had an additional two deacons, and in 2021 Deacon Bob has gone part-time at Sacred Heart. He also serves at St. Michael’s on Tybee Island. Deacon Larcher said, “all I have to do is talk, and I am still good at talking.” Looking back on his time at Covington Latin School, many students will remember Deacon Larcher’s love of history and oratory. He taught AP US History to a decade of Juniors and served as Debate Coach/Moderator for many championship teams.

“The Latin School is a very special place for very special students.“

-Robert Larcher

As Headmaster, Deacon Larcher made his mark on Covington Latin School. Taking the helm at a transitional period, he shared that he “walked into the school that had survived some rough years.” The biggest concerns being enrollment, school finances, and curriculum questions.

He first addressed the issue of changing the school’s model to a 5-year curriculum. While it was initially discussed as a mandatory 5-year program, he shares that he and the School Board landed on what we now know as the “Prep” year – an optional fifth year. He was pleased to learn that it has expanded to an optional fifth (Prep 8) and sixth year (Prep 7), allowing to meet the varying needs of more students.

In 1992, Deacon Larcher oversaw the transition of Covington Latin School from an all-boys school to a co-ed school. After many discussions, the School Board planned a public meeting to hear from the community and vote on the issue. They set the meeting in the school Auditorium (the current faculty lounge) and expected 50-60 people. People kept coming, with a standing-room-only crowd that included parents, alumni, faculty, and nuns from Notre Dame. After some back and forth, the School Board voted to admit girls to Covington Latin School. Deacon Larcher shared that “there are many good schools whose specialty is all-boy or all-girl education, but Covington Latin School’s specialty is acceleration, and both boys and girls can benefit from acceleration.”

With the growing enrollment, Deacon Larcher oversaw the modernization of the school building. With the support of the benefactors and the APT, the school replaced windows and desks and updated science labs. This led to a push to create a lasting Endowment for Covington Latin School. The capital campaign was kicked off with the support of Bob Kohlhepp (Class of ’59) and ended in the successful creation of CLS’s Endowment.

In what became his final year as Headmaster, Deacon Larcher oversaw the celebration of Covington Latin School’s 75th Anniversary. He has fond memories of the year. Although the memory he looks back on the fondest is the April 1996 production of Fiddler on the Roof. This was the “highlight” of his years at CLS. “Never have I worked so hard and had so much fun.”

The all-school production of Fiddler “energized the spirit of the students and the faculty.” The production occurred at Covington’s Carnegie Hall – before the current renovation. Deacon Larcher laughed, telling the story of talking to a gentleman at the theatre, who, when he sat down, the theatre chair fell over because it was no longer bolted to the floor – he likened the production to an episode out of “Our Gang” with everybody chipping in what they had to put on a theatre production. Many pitched in to help. Deacon Larcher remembers Linda McDaniel (Mother to Chris ’93, Holly ‘96, and Kelly ’99) spending 12-hour days helping ready the production. He was proud that they found a way to let the students ‘have it all in true CLS fashion.’ He remembered that Holly McDaniel was in the band and was set to be in the orchestra pit for the show when she landed a speaking role. Rather than having to pick one or the other, they found a back door in the orchestra pit where she could sneak out of the band and get on stage without anyone noticing.

Deacon Larcher and his wife, Wendy, are enjoying retirement in Savannah. They made their home in a condo on the big Whitemarsh Island for the last ten years. They moved to Wilmington Island this spring, and he is “excited about house-life again.” Wendy retired as an Associate Professor from the University of Cincinnati.

Son Phillip and his wife Stephanie live in Independence, Kentucky. They have four children, including one-year triplets. Phillip works for TQL. Stephanie taught 3rd grade at St. Pius X School until the birth of the triplets. Deacon Larcher and Wendy visit often. Daughter Kristen (Class of 2001) and her husband, Dr. Jake Lantry (Class of 1998), live in Newport News, Virginia. Kristen is the Director of Commonwealth Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Service. Jake is an orthopedic doctor.

Daughter Kathryn and her husband, Anthony Woodard, live in Wellington, Colorado. Anthony works for the United States Air Force Special Operations. They are expecting their first child in May.