Robert Price was a true friend and inspiration to the students at St. Joseph Catholic School in Marietta. Robert had a disability, but he didn’t let it slow him down. He was a loyal friend, faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, and a motivation to all whom he encountered.  Robert was proud to be Catholic. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and could frequently be seen walking in the community, praying the rosary. 

Robert was a faithful attendee of the school Mass. At the conclusion of Mass, Robert would encourage each of the students to “never give up.”  Principal Dr. Patricia Allen described Robert as having “a big heart and being a friend to our students. They looked forward to seeing him at our weekly school Mass.” 

After Robert passed away on February 5, 2014, the school wanted to celebrate his life. The eighth-grade class of 2015 selected Robert’s motto of “Never Give Up” to adorn their annual Spirit Shirts worn by the entire student body for select events. They also dedicated the school gym to Robert Price with a hand-painted mural as their graduation gift. To continue to build off the passion of the students, Paul and Renee Armstrong, parishioners of St. Joseph Catholic Church and parents of alumni of the school, established The Robert Price “Never Give Up” Scholarship Fund in his memory. Many members of the St. Joseph Community have given to this fund that will provide scholarships for middle school students at St. Joseph Catholic School with a heart for service. Scholarship recipients and their families will have the opportunity to serve an organization of their choice and grow in servant leadership. 

The “Never Give Up” Scholarship is a reminder of Robert’s persistent and energetic message of hope, which he shared with all those who crossed his path.  Through this scholarship, the Armstrongs hope that Robert’s spirit of goodwill, resilience, and compassion will live on in the student scholars. “Our girls loved St. Joe’s,” shares Paul Armstrong.  “Their time at St. Joseph Catholic School prepared them for high school both academically and spiritually.  The teachers partnered with us on the faith formation of our children. That was really important to us. We want more students and their families to experience the mission of the St. Joseph Catholic School Community: educating the mind, while expanding the heart.” 

Renee added, “Robert was a great role model. He taught everyone that big actions are not required to make a lasting difference in a community – you just need a big heart!” 

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