Bob was born and raised in South Park near the University of Dayton. He attended Emerson Elementary and Stivers high. He lettered three times in two sports while at Stivers, one in cross country and two in basketball. In addition to sports, Bob participated in many school activities such as band, plays, clubs and served as student treasurer of his junior and senior class. Bob has now become the fourth Hall of Famer from the ‘59 Varsity basketball team. He led the team in rebounds, despite being only six feet, and was third in scoring behind Hall of Famers and All-City players Paul Ginter and Don Measel. Bob received Honorable Mention All-City his senior year. Bob’s toughest job on that team was being the defensive specialist.
Bob graduated from the University of Dayton in 1963 with a degree in Math Education and through the ROTC program at UD he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army. He completed Ranger training and served four years with a tour of duty in Vietnam where he earned the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. After his military service Bob was hired as a Math Teacher at Stivers High and was asked by Hall of Fame coach Larry Shadowens to join his staff as an assistant and JV coach.
In addition to coaching basketball, Bob became the head cross county and track coach. His ‘72 X-country team won numerous invitationals, were Sectional and District Champ, and placed third overall in the State Meet. The rumor of Stivers closing and the itch to be a head basketball coach led Bob to leave and accept the position of head basketball coach at Chaminade-Julienne HS in the fall of ’73. Bob won five Sectionals with some great teams. He left CJ in ‘82 to be head coach at Bellbrook HS. His teams won over 150 games in 11 seasons , won 4 SWBL Championships, and 2 District Championships. The ’90 team went 20-3, won 15 straight games, and was ranked #1 in the state polls, but lost in the Regional Semis.
Bob retired from teaching and coaching in 1994 and has been living in Florida with his wife, Ruthann, for the past 20 years. They enjoy playing golf, traveling, and returning to Dayton each summer to visit with family and friends. Bob and Ruthann have four children, six grandchildren and one great granddaughter.