Herbert Marshall “Hub” Waldrop, of Auburn, Alabama, passed away peacefully at Bethany House on Sunday April 9, 2023.
Hub was born on February 10, 1938, to Sarah Gamble and Thomas Harley Waldrop in Fairfield, Alabama, and grew up in Hueytown, Alabama. After Hub graduated from Hueytown High School in 1956, he went to Auburn University as a scholarship fullback-linebacker. After an eye injury ended his football playing days, he remained on scholarship as a student trainer, beginning his lifelong contribution to the lives of young athletes. Despite the disappointment of not playing football, he never allowed his injury to affect his outlook on life. It provided him with empathy for injured athletes that built a foundation of trust and strong relationships with his student-athletes.
After graduating with a degree in health and physical education, he was named assistant athletic trainer (1960 to 1975), and then head athletic trainer (1976 to 1994). During his tenure at Auburn University, he taught a variety of athletic injury courses and was director of lntramurals and Recreation Services. Hub retired as assistant professor in the School of Kinesiology. As a trainer, Hub touched the lives of hundreds of student-athletes and trainers, helping protect them from injury and teaching them about sports medicine, as well as being a trusted friend and an example of “how to live your life for Jesus.”
One of Hub’s passions was helping shape the lives of Auburn youth as a basketball, football and baseball coach in Auburn Parks & Recreation leagues. Hub was a faithful Baptist, a longtime deacon, and taught sixth grade boys Sunday School.
Hub married Jean Robertson of Bessemer in 1961 and they remained lifelong residents of Auburn, where they raised their daughter Lisa.
Hub retired from Auburn in 2007 and took great joy in using his experience and expertise to help people use exercise to maintain their mobility and recover from illness. Another of his joys was giving a weekly devotion to the residents of what is now Arbor Springs. A lifelong runner, Hub maintained his own exercise routine until just before he passed away.
Hub is survived by his wife Jean; daughter Lisa Kiteley (Greg); grandchildren Caroline Heideman (Joss), Trent Kiteley (Jessie), Allison White (Max) and Clay Kiteley (Kaki); great-grandchildren Elizabeth and Reese Heideman, and Addie, Hannah and Hayes White; sister Tommie Lou Ganus (Jack); sister-in-law Ellen Casey; and many nieces and nephews.
Donations may be made to the Auburn Parks & Recreation Hub Waldrop Scholarship Fund to provide support to youth who are financially unable to participate in Parks and Recreation programs. Checks may be made payable to City of Auburn and mailed to 425 Perry St. (Attn: Kevin Kelly) in Auburn. Donations may also be made to the Auburn Football Letterman Club via the website www.auburnfootballlettermen.org or www.auburnfootballlettermen.org or by mailing a check to AFLC, P.O. Box 828, Auburn, AL 36831.
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
Visitation was held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Parkway Baptist Church Auburn with the memorial service following at 2 p.m.