A Friend in Deed

Classmates step up to help alum seriously injured in chimp attack

by Chris Jarvis


Anthony Reimherr (B.B.A. ’07) will never forget the day he got the call that his close friend, Andrew Oberle (B.A. ’08), lay clinging to life in a South Africa hospital.

Oberle, who was working on his graduate thesis at the University of Texas at San Antonio, volunteered at the Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden for the summer. On June 28, 2012, he stepped onto a rock near a chimp enclosure while addressing a group of tourists. It was a gesture that may have been viewed as a breach of territory by the two male chimps that proceeded to pull Oberle under the fencing and viciously maul him.

A strong friendship

Reimherr could only think about how to help his friend who was so far away. He and his wife Marissa (B.A. ’07) quickly set up a WePay donation site to raise money to assist with travel and medical expenses for Oberle’s family.

“He was going to need as much help as he could get,” Reimherr said.

Within a few days, they had raised more than $10,000.

Oberle was Reimherr’s close friend, Chi Phi fraternity brother, and had even been his best man at Reimherr’s wedding. When Oberle needed a place to live while in graduate school, the couple invited him to move in.

“No person ever thinks something like this is going to happen to someone so close to them,” he added.

Springing into action

As details of Oberle’s injuries emerged, it was clear that extensive surgeries and rehabilitation would be necessary. The at-first impressive sum the Reimherrs had raised would barely put a dent in the financial burden that lay ahead for the Oberles.

Previously planned engagements became impromptu fundraisers for Oberle, which Reimherr publicized on a Facebook page called “Help Andrew Oberle.” He even spoke to news media about how people could help Oberle’s family.

Reimherr’s efforts soon garnered attention.

“Out of the blue,” Reimherr said, he received a call from the secretary for Red McCombs — a San Antonio billionaire known for his car dealerships and as a former owner of the San Antonio Spurs.

McCombs had heard about Oberle and wanted to help, so Reimherr told McCombs about the fundraising he had done so far and the roadblocks he encountered when trying to obtain nonprofit tax status.

Within an hour, McCombs called Reimherr back. He used his connections to set up a tax-exempt fund for Oberle through United Way. After contributing $5,000 himself, McCombs began a campaign of his own to collect donations. Between the Reimherrs’ WePay site and McCombs’ United Way fund, they have raised more than $100,000 for Oberle.

“We’ve been blown away by the outreach we’ve received, even from people that never knew Andy,” Reimherr said “It says a lot about how many people have been touched by his story, and we are honored by how many have stepped up to help.”

A long Road

In August, Oberle was flown from a hospital in Johannesburg to St. Louis University Hospital, where he continues treatment and physical therapy. He has already endured numerous surgeries, and his recovery will be long.

His injuries are substantial, but Reimherr said that Oberle is determined to resume his life. He posted his first Facebook message since the accident in September to thank his supporters.

In a recent phone conversation with Oberle, Reimherr heard “the same old Andy,” which he takes as a good sign. He believes Oberle will one day even resume his passion — helping chimpanzees.

“I hope Andy can serve as an example that when people go through something like this, they can get through it and come out for the better,” Reimherr said. “That’s where the real inspiration lies.”