Kentucky man died saving his grandson from rip current off Daytona Beach Shores

Bob Sarver, who spent much of his life making a difference for young people, spent his last moments rescuing his grandson.

Sarver was visiting Daytona Beach with family when the child, 10, got caught in a rip current. Sarver lost his life after helping him get to safety, said David Oney, a close friend.

"He was just such an outstanding person in so many ways," Oney said.

Friends and family are mourning the loss of Sarver, a Kentucky man who died after being pulled from the ocean unconscious on June 1 in Daytona Beach Shores. He was 76. People posted memories online with his obituary, and a few friends and former colleagues shared their thoughts with The News-Journal.

Friends said Sarver made a positive impact on those around him as a high school guidance counselor and coach.

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Sarver is survived by his wife, Jenny, son, Rob; grandson Rylan; and other family and friends, according to his obituary.

He was retired at the time of his death. But he was a longtime guidance counselor and football coach in the Anderson County, Kentucky, school system, according to Superintendent Sheila Mitchell.

"We are devastated at the death of Mr. Sarver. He was loved and a dear friend and colleague to so many," she wrote in an email to The News-Journal. "We hold his precious family dear in our hearts, and they remain in our prayers during this very sad time. We grieve alongside his family."

The visitation drew a big crowd, including some of those whom Sarver had coached and counseled over the years, Oney said.

Sonny Fentress, a former superintendent of Anderson County schools, used to work with Sarver.

"He was a great guy. He was just wonderful working with young people. A high school counselor is very influential in what kids do for the rest of their life," Fentress said.

Oney also worked in the school system as a guidance counselor.

"He was very much my mentor. I learned a great deal from him," he said.

The two become close, taking trips with their wives and going to football games at the University of Kentucky together, he said. To Oney and others, Sarver was more than just a friend and colleague. Oney described Sarver as the big brother that he never had.

"We'll miss him every day," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Kentucky man died saving his grandson from rip current