Service Above Self Keeps Bob Focused on ALS After Retirement
Newly elected LiveLikeLou Foundation Trustee Bob Biggs, Georgia Southern ’76, is proud that the best man in his wedding was his dad Norval. A devoted family man and Bob’s first example of character and leadership, Norval was a role model of respect and positivity for his three sons and daughter. So, when Bob’s dad was diagnosed with the fatal condition Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 1997, it did not surprise anyone that he would lead his family with optimism and perseverance.
Although the diagnosis shook their family, this was not the first time Bob was confronted with the devastating disease. As a Phi Delta Theta Fraternity brother of Lou Gehrig, and ultimately the executive vice president and CEO of the Fraternity, Bob spent much of his forty-four-year career advocating for the disease. Biggs served on the national ALS Association Board of Trustees for sixteen years, volunteering for ALS families and raising significant funds for research.
Sadly, his father died in 1999. Since then Bob has been unrelenting in his devotion to the cause.
“For Bob, this is personal. He is a talent and a force when it comes to teaching others about ALS,” said LiveLikeLou Foundation Chair WL Gray, Texas Christian ’70. “We are going to keep him busy raising awareness and support for new research.”
Bob’s retirement from the Fraternity this past summer gave him the opportunity to double down on his commitment to ALS. He explained that the Fraternity motto of “We enjoy life by the help and society of others” is what drives him to stay connected to the cause.
“I want to be the face of the Phi Delta Theta partnership with LiveLikeLou,” he said. “And I want to be on the board when there is an announcement that we have found the cause and the cure for this disease.”
LiveLikeLou Foundation Director Suzanne Alexander said, “When you have Bob Biggs on your team, you’re going to be successful. We are very lucky.”
