Brewster Hobby

Brewster Burton Hobby of Norman, joined his Heavenly Father on June 17, 2019. He was born to Jesse and Evelyn (Burgess) Hobby in Lake Village, Arkansas on July 21, 1937. Brewster's family moved from Lake Village, Arkansas to Midwest City, Oklahoma in 1949 then to Norman in 1956.

Brewster excelled in high school sports in Midwest City, earning "All-Conference" recognition for football, basketball and baseball. He later earned "All-American" honors for football and baseball and received the "Player of the Year" award for both sports. Upon graduating high school in 1956, Brewster was faced with the difficult decision to become a professional baseball player or playing football for the Oklahoma Sooners and coach Bud Wilkinson. He proudly decided to become a Sooner.

Brewster had tremendous success playing football and baseball at OU and earned "All Big Eight" honors for baseball in 1958. One of his best memories playing for the Sooners was the 1959 Orange Bowl. The Sooner backfield consisted of Brewster as halfback, fullback Prentice Gautt, halfback Jakie Sandefer and quarterback Bob Cornell. Brewster threw a halfback pass to Ross Coyle for a 79-yard touchdown which was the longest recorded pass by a halfback in Orange Bowl history. The Sooners went on to beat the Syracuse Orangemen 21-6. After graduating from OU, Brewster stayed on the Sooners staff and served as a recruiting coordinator for coach Gomer Jones.

After coaching, Brewster served his country in the United States Army for 22 years active and reserve, retiring as a Colonel. Brewster went back to college in 1980 to pursue a career in banking through the Graduate School of Banking at SMU. Brewster became the President and district manager for the Norman branch of Liberty Bank & Trust Company later joining Republic Bank where he retired in 2002. He was involved with numerous civic and community organizations and served as president for the Norman Chamber of Commerce, Norman Rotary Club and Norman Athletic Club.

Brewster married his sweetheart Connie Hilgenfeld on July 13, 1985. They enjoyed taking care of their yard together and he took great pride in his well-manicured lawn. Brewster also enjoyed spending time with his friends on the golf course and became quite the expert, hitting not only one but two hole-in-ones in his lifetime. His greatest joy was being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved sharing his love of sports and playing ball with them but most importantly just spending time together. Brewster's faith was incredibly strong and grew stronger when he and Connie joined Bethel Baptist Church. He was devoted to reading his Bible and helped with the golf cart ministry at the church. He also volunteered for Norman's Meals on Wheels program and drove those in need to doctor's appointments. Brewster went over and beyond to help others and was always there to give a word of encouragement. His greatest legacy is the love he held for his family, especially his wife, Connie.

Brewster was preceded in death by his parents, sister Bettye McMahan, father-in-law Gene Hilgenfeld, brother-in-law Mike Hilgenfeld, and nephew Kevin Childress.

He is survived by his wife Connie, sons Mike and Jeff, daughter Shannon Yerby (husband Wes); grandchildren Sara (husband Gary), Matt, Paige (husband Alex), Courtney (husband Obed), Rachel, JayCee; great-grandchildren Lane and Harlowe; niece Joni Childress; mother-in-law Vivian Hilgenfeld and numerous other family members including his brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws, nieces and nephews.