'Lotte Yeolseong Fan' Professor Maher Passes Away Without Seeing Fall Baseball

Passed Away on the 16th Due to COVID-19 Complications

Kerry Maher (68), a former professor at Yeongsan University and a Lotte Giants fan as famous as the players at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, passed away on the 16th. He suffered from pneumonia caused by complications of COVID-19.

He was suddenly transported to Dong-A University Hospital on the 6th due to severe respiratory distress and was diagnosed with COVID-19. Both lungs were severely damaged by pneumonia, and he was moved to the intensive care unit for critical treatment but passed away after ten days. In 2020, he battled multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, for a year, which weakened his immune system.

Originally from South Carolina, USA, he was a well-known figure at Lotte’s home stadium, Sajik Baseball Stadium. For over ten years, he cheered for the players with his white beard flowing. He became a fan in 2008 when he visited Sajik Stadium with his students while working as a native English teacher at an elementary school in Ulsan. Even after injuring his leg, he showed great enthusiasm by attending games in a wheelchair. The Lotte team invited him twice as a ceremonial first pitch thrower to show their gratitude.

After retiring from Yeongsan University in 2019, his work visa expired, and he was about to leave Korea. When it became known that he was struggling to find a new job due to a knee injury, the Lotte team hired him as a manager to assist foreign players and coaches with their daily lives. Even after his contract with Lotte ended, he continued to visit Sajik Stadium regularly. This year, he fervently cheered for Lotte’s postseason advancement but could not overcome his illness.

The funeral hall is set up on the second floor of the Asiad Funeral Hall in Dongnae-gu, Busan. The funeral procession will be held on the 20th. The Lotte team will support the funeral procedures and hold a moment of silence before the game against the Doosan Bears at Sajik Stadium on the 17th in his memory.