Bob Butterworth, known as “Troy Bob” among the alumni community, has been an avid donor and supporter of Troy University for many years—but if you ask him, it’s the least he could do.

“The way I look at it, I owe TROY something because of what they did for me,” he said.

Butterworth is a 1971 graduate and a former Trojan football player. Recognized as an Alumnus of the Year in 1997, Butterworth has served on the TROY Athletics Hall of Fame committee and as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. He credits his desire to give back to TROY to the lifelong lessons he learned as a student.

“The things I learned at Troy, I am still using today in my business,” Butterworth said. “The things that Coach [Billy] Atkins taught us about teamwork, sacrifice, setting goals and having a scoreboard each day, I still use those lessons each day.”

Butterworth was born in the small Alabama community of Waldo near Talladega. He said he was originally recruited to play football at the University of Georgia, but soon found he didn’t enjoy the massive classes at such a large school.

He soon transferred to TROY, where he said he enjoyed the small-town feel and the close relationships he was able to form with both professors and coaches.

“The small classes and the intimacy of the experience is really what sets TROY apart,” Butterworth said.

Butterworth has used the lessons he learned as a student to build a successful 42-year career with State Farm, with an office in Montevallo. In turn, he has given back to TROY in a number of ways that will benefit future generations of Trojans. His charitable gifts to TROY include the Carole Butterworth Endowed Scholarship, named in honor of his late wife, to support education majors from Shelby County and a planned gift to support the football stadium north end zone expansion. Butterworth has recently decided to make another generous legacy gift to establish the Robert Butterworth Endowed Scholarship in the Sorrell College of Business, which will benefit students from Shelby County majoring in Risk Management and Insurance.

Rebecca Watson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, said Butterworth has been an exemplary example of generosity and school pride.

“Bob Butterworth is a loyal Trojan whose generous gifts will ensure future generations of Trojans experience the same life-changing experiences he had while a student here,” Watson said.

Today, the Butterworth legacy at TROY will continue as Butterworth’s grandson, Richie Kole Keith, will start at the Troy Campus this fall.

“I am proud to give back and support TROY and leave a legacy for me and my family into the future,” Butterworth said.