Bob was born in South Bend, Indiana in 1943 and graduated from Vandalia High School in Illinois in 1961. He played football and wrestled at Millikin University and the University of Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1965, and the University of Illinois School of Medicine in Chicago in 1969.
Bob was humble and always looked for ways to serve, beginning with a tour in the Army in Bamberg, Germany and Brussels, Belgium from 1971 to 1974. In 1974, he settled in St. Louis and became the first fellowship trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon in St. Louis, starting the Washington University Sports Medicine Center. Later, he established a program to provide medical coverage for area high schools and cared for numerous high school and college athletes. He capped off his career as the orthopedic surgeon for the Rams and Cardinals. Some of Bob’s best moments were standing in a training room taking care of athletes, from a millionaire quarterback to a second-string JV defensive tackle. At the age of 64, he volunteered to return to active duty in the Army for a tour of duty providing medical care in Iraq. Over his career he helped thousands of patients live better lives.
For the complete obituary, visit
