Robert Bass turns tragedy into heart for helping Omar

Like many great school teachers, Robert Bass's work day didn't end with the final bell. A 30-year educator, he decided early that his students would know he was there for them—whether it was help with a math problem or a few dollars to pay for lunch. Robert knew that the difference between a student's success or failure was a helping hand—before the day began or even on a weekend.

It seemed right for him to teach at his alma mater—Douglas Byrd High School. Fayetteville is home. His father had served in the Army, with the Signal Battalion at Fort Bragg, now Fort Liberty. Growing up, Robert played school with the other neighborhood children. He was always the teacher. As a teen, he often missed time with his buddies to study for an exam. It was easy declaring a major in college—education, of course.

For 14 years, he walked the same hallways he had walked as a teen. Now he was ushering students from the hall into his class. A math and science teacher, he taught everything from freshman algebra to AP biology. In 2003, Robert was recruited as a sponsor for the school's Student Government Association. He offered guidance to the students, providing opportunities for them to develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Traveling to a leadership camp the summer of 2017, he and three of his students were in an automobile accident. The students had only minor injuries. Robert had to be airlifted to a hospital.

"Thankfully it was me hurt and not my students," Robert remembers.

Lying in the hospital bed, Robert tried to make sense of the last few hours. There were injuries to his back and shoulder. His scapular was cracked and he had suffered nerve damage. It was hard as he realized he now faced big life changes.

Although he had been in the classroom 30 years, he was not planning to retire. It was not the way he had thought he would finish teaching—but one doesn't always get to decide. The accident brought an end to Robert's teaching career.

"The table had turned," Robert recalls. "I worked hard to instill in my students can-do attitudes. I taught them it was important to turn a bad situation into a positive. It was now time for me to live out what I taught."

Robert made a decision to follow Jesus as a child. It was years later that he rededicated his life and he experienced a "rejuvenation of the heart." His faith became more, it became a relationship with the Lord. Now retired, he began seeking ways to serve.

Robert's health improved. There was a rhythm coming back. And yet nothing replaced what he missed most—teaching young people. After his mother had a stroke in 2021 and her loss of mobility, he became her caregiver, spending more time with her everyday.

His mom encouraged him to attend her Sunday school class at The Village Baptist Church in Fayetteville. The "Saved to Serve" class was mission-focused and taught by Bass family friend and Baptist Children's Homes' (BCH) Trustee Vickie Burge. The 80 member class included BCH's Odum Home as part of its mission outreach.

"The class ministers hands on," Odum Home Director Kathy Locklear says. "They focus on what Odum Home needs and work to meet the children's needs, even after being in care and they are on their own. They keep up with the children, encouraging any way they are able."

Some class members sponsor children in care, everyone pitches in to provide parties and special dinners, and others help residents by tutoring, often helping them catch up academically.

Nineteen-year-old Omar and his two siblings came to Odum Home four years ago. Before arriving on the Pembroke campus, day-to-day living was difficult. The children slept on sofas and on makeshift pallets on the floor. Eating unhealthy meals caused Omar's weight to shoot up to 340 pounds. Attending school was never a priority. He fell behind. When Omar did attend, he remembers being frustrated and embarrassed.

Omar's freshman year was difficult. Attending school regularly and doing homework nightly were alien to the teen. He needed help. Robert, the former educator, was called on to tutor the struggling student.

Omar was unsure at first. Robert knew not to let that deter him. He poured himself into Omar and slowly he felt he was reaching his fledgling student. The two began to look forward to their sessions. They started talking about other things besides math—and there was laughter.

Robert and Omar worked on his math together—long and short problems. It was incredible the first time Omar's math teacher was talking about a problem in class and Omar understood. It just clicked, he remembers. He was so proud of himself.

"Mr. Robert helped me catch up," Omar says. "I struggled and couldn't get my head around math. Failing at something makes you feel like you're never going to be good enough. I felt math had defeated me. It was amazing going from a zero to making a high B.

Robert was becoming more than Omar's tutor. He was more than a volunteer. Robert was investing himself in Omar's life. He cared about all the young man's needs: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. He even found ways to spoil him.

"Mr. Robert is my friend," Omar asserts. "He is someone I look up to. He has become a role model who I can call and talk with about anything. He has become someone who taught me more than math, he has taught me things a man needs to know—like a dad."

Omar has helped fill the void in Robert's life, turning his heart from tragedy to helping others. Being part of Omar's life has brought Robert fulfillment and great joy.

"The Lord was working in both our lives," Robert says. "Omar found the help he needed to succeed, and I found my way back to teaching."

The "Saved to Serve" class is intent on fostering spiritual growth in the hearts of its members, being active on mission, and leading others to Jesus. Being a part of the class and helping Omar has been life-changing for Robert.

Written By Jim Edminson, Editor of Charity and Children