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After a short and sudden illness, Bob has left us for his great next adventure. He was born in Virginia into a coal mining family. He grew up in Dearborn, MI and joined the Navy when he was 17.
During the Korean War, he served as a gunner’s mate on the U.S.S. Ruddy, a mine sweeper. After discharge, he moved to Arizona and worked for Magma Copper for 42 years. He was very active in the community with Boy Scouts, Little League and United Way.
The love of his life was softball – playing, coaching and watching from the bleachers. Bob was very active with the girls softball program for over 10 years. He coached the ASA 17-18 year girls team “The Reds” to a State Championship in 1978. He considered each and every one of the girls on his team the best players.
Bob was preceded in death by his grandson Tyler He will be greatly missed by his wife Jo Anne; daughters: Valera, Barb (Pat) and Beth; and seven grandchildren. He also leaves behind two sisters: Regina and Davina; brother David; and many nieces and nephews. .
Services were held with military honors on Saturday, Nov. 8 in Tucson at Avalon Chapel.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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