Last Updated on May 4, 2019 6:37 pm
A longtime local referee passed away last week.
David Thomas Shervington, age 61, passed away Tuesday at his home in Foscoe.
Shervington was known to many by the nickname “Robo Ref” due to his dedication of refereeing multiple games at any given time during a week or weekend stretch. Memorial services will be conducted Saturday morning, May 11, 2019, at Hardin Park Elementary School Gym. Officiating will be Pastor Jeff McClain.
Daniel Clark, Supervisor of the Boone Basketball Officials Association (BBOA), shares with WataugaOnline.com: “Dave returned to basketball officiating after a brief hiatus from working when I took over the BBOA in 2014. His dedication to this craft for over 30 years is to be admired and honored. He would go anywhere I sent him and work with anyone. He truly cherished the friendships and camaraderie officiating brought him.”
David Jackson, the former voice of Appalachian State sports broadcast and now current President/CEO of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, shares with WataugaOnline.com:
There was no one that enjoyed being part of the ASN family more than Sherv. He'd stick around after every App State basketball game just to chat with us while we packed up. He'd drive straight to Mountaineer Talk from any game he officiated just to make sure we knew he was listening. He came to away games, conference tournaments, ran balls and strikes at baseball games, and he worked on the chain crew at The Rock.
Sherv worked more for athletics than some full-time staff. We recognized him with the Jack Branch Award one year because he did so much, but he didn't want the recognition..he just wanted to be helpful. We put him in the broadcast credits for years, just because he was always with us and would always help us get or do anything that was needed. He'd pop by the office just to check in and always ask, “you good?”…but in a way that you knew he really wanted to know the answer.
Some of my favorite Sherv memories were of he and Mark Dreibelbis trying to accurately guess the officiating crew of the Final Four, his consistent optimism in the face of the worst of team records, his ability to get any piece of furniture you needed for an office at a moment's notice, and the joy he got by being a part of the action. We talked on walkies at soccer games, we'd chat in parking lots or on campus..Sherv always cared more about you than you cared about you. He volunteered for the SoCon Wrestling Tournament a few months back and we sat in a hospitality room together and watched Matt McMahon and the Racers win the OVC, and we talked about old friends and old times. Thanks for the love and support Sherv..for all of us..you were one of the constants on our crew, and you will never be forgotten.
John Shaw shared with WataugaOnline.com: A local legend. I always liked having him behind the plate when pitching. I knew after every pitch if it was a ball or strike. I always enjoyed seeing him on the court, the ballfields, at App, or those years up at Lees McRae
Anita Presnell shared with WataugaOnline.com: Robo ref…he used to walk, yes walk, too many games when I was growing up. My kids have also had the privilege of playing games he officiated just this winter. Can't believe he passed away. He will be truly missed on and off the court!
Amanda Ramsey expressed sentiments that many folks noted about working with Shervington at ASU: I enjoyed working with him at ASU. He was an incredible person. He was always kind and helpful. He will be missed
Obituary from Hampton Funeral Home:
David Thomas Shervington, age 61, of Highway 105, Banner Elk, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at his home.
David was born July 20, 1957 in Manhattan, New York, a son of the late Thomas Henry Shervington and Kathleen Cullinan Shervington. He was a referee of Watauga County Parks & Recreation and a member of Boone United Methodist Church. David was involved in sports dating back his days at Melbourne High School (Florida). At the age of 18, he volunteered with the Melbourne Beach Vol Fire Dept where he also served on the board of directors. While doing that, he completed his two years at Brevard Community College and then moved on to the University of South Florida. From there he moved up to Boone. He enjoyed his life here in the mountains. He worked for Hound Ears and then moved on to work 11 years at ASU. He then took employment at Lee’s McRae for 4 years before returning to ASU. All the while he also did what he enjoyed, officiating sport. Many referred to him as Robo Ref. Most remember him as the person who would do anything for you and ask little in return.
David is survived by two brothers, Michael Shervington and wife Rhonda of Malabar, Florida, and Thomas Shervington and wife Buffie of Tampa, Florida; one niece, Olivia Shervington, and one nephew, Thomas R. Shervington of Tampa, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Thomas and Kathleen Cullinan Shervington.
Memorial services for David Thomas Shervington will be conducted Saturday morning, May 11, 2019, at Hardin Park Elementary School Gym. Officiating will be Pastor Jeff McClain.
Online condolences may be sent to the Shervington family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
