Punching Back at Parkinson’s Disease

Jim Obergfell ’64 has found a unique way to ward off the progressive symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.  After being diagnosed with PD in 2020, Jim began attending boxing classes at Rock Steady Boxing near his home in South Orange County, California. For the past 5 ½ years he has worked out with the club’s trainer five days a week.  Jim remarks, “These classes have been a great help in fighting off some of the symptoms of PD, a progressive neurological disorder for which there is currently no cure.”

Marlon Ealy, Jim Obergfell ’64 and Donna Clervi

Living with Parkinson’s Disease

Rock Steady Boxing is an international, evidence-based fitness program specifically designed for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Through boxing-inspired exercises, strength training, balance work, stretching, mobility exercises, and functional movement, the program helps participants fight back against the progression of Parkinson’s while improving confidence, independence, and quality of life.

Since joining Rock Steady Boxing, Jim has not only learned boxing techniques from one of the gym’s owners, a former boxer, Marlon Ealy, but has also become part of a strong community of like-minded individuals — people determined to fight back against the effects of Parkinson’s.

Co-owner Donna Clervi recognized that individuals living with Parkinson’s often need far more than exercise alone. Many also require support groups, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, educational resources, financial assistance, scholarships, and most importantly, a caring community.  After four years of hard work, perseverance, and determination, the Donna Clervi Foundation opened the doors to a new 4,000-square-foot workout facility known as Rockhaus.

Supporting the Cause

Jim is recognized for supporting Rock Steady Boxing with his name on the ring.

Having benefited tremendously from this program, Jim generously donated to the new Center providing funding for a boxing ring and hanging bags so that all participants may benefit from these important training tools.

If you would like more information about Rock Steady Boxing and The Donna Clervi Foundation dba The Good Fight Parkinson’s, please visit their website https://thedonnaclervifoundation.org/  or contact them directly at donna@thgoodfightparkinsons.org.  Donna stated, “We are proud to build a place where individuals living with Parkinson’s can continue to fight back, stay connected, and live with strength, purpose, and hope.”  All donations are tax deductible.

Jim’s Undergraduate Days at Purdue

Jim stated, “My main thing at Purdue is that I was on the freshman basketball team before freshmen were allowed to play on the varsity. It was not until 1972 when the NCAA permitted freshman to play on the varsity teams.  We practiced every day and had some scrimmages, but never games against any other university or team. Except before the varsity home games, we’d have a scrimmage as the prelim to the varsity game. After my freshman year at Purdue, I received a full scholarship to play basketball at Saint Edwards University in Austin, Texas.”

Jim continued, “So I made the decision to go to Texas, and after sitting out my first semester because of NCAA transfer rules, I was disappointed that I did not get substantial playing time my second semester, so back I went to Purdue to get my M.E. degree. I can’t say that I had any big accomplishments on campus, but I was honored to be a Sigma Chi and truly enjoyed all the brothers and the house. My senior year, my girlfriend and pin mate Kathy Krugel (Theta) was named the chapter’s Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.”

A 35-Year Career at Dow Chemical

Jim’s 35-year career in sales with The Dow Chemical Company commenced in the summer of 1965. During his tenure with Dow he lived in Minneapolis, Midland, MI., Detroit, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. He married Bernadette Czapski in 1968. (Deceased in 2013). They have three children, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Jim currently resides in Coto de Caza, California.

Boxing ring at Rockhaus

Boxing heavy bags at Rockhaus