I am deeply saddened to inform you that Bob Lipken, a great friend and teammate, passed away on Friday. He was one of the original 10 Braves last year who was willing to join our new team. Bob was a great guy with a great attitude. He was always willing to do whatever he could to contribute to the team or to friends who were lucky enough to have known him off the field. He will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family. Please keep Bob and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
What a shame, another brother lost too soon. I had the honor to also play with on the 55 Hawks a few years ago. Bob will be missed by all.Our thoughts and prayers to his family.
Such sad news, Steve. The Braves as a whole are a class group, so to hear of this is extremely saddening. Way too soon - very frustrating. When you shake hands after a game, make it heartfelt. It really could be the last time with someone. RIP Bob.
Today, March 5, is the 54th anniversary of my dad's death. He was 48. I went to the cemetery this morning. Yup, 54 years later, and I still shed a tear.
To all who have lost someone, especially if you lost a child, cherish every day. It really should put baseball into perspective.
In fact, I will propose that before the first game for each team beginning this year, a moment of silence be held for all CDMSBL players and umpires who have passed.
I just found out about this last night. This is really a shocker and very distressing. Bob, was an original BlueJay who was a pleasure to manage for two years. He was a very positive guy and would do anything to make your life easier. I also had to pleasure of having him to join me in Florida two years ago and had some of his family there to watch him play. On behalf of the BlueJays we offer our deepest condolences to his family and may he be in everlasting peace in GOD's hands.
I was greatly shocked and saddened to see Bob's obituary in the TU yesterday. I met Bob a few years ago linking in our professional careers. I always enjoyed talking to him, and one day he said he was thinking about playing softball. I said I play in a hardball league. Why don't you give the CDMSBL a try? He took up the suggestion and ran with it. He really enjoyed recapturing his youth like so many of us have. I got the pleasure of playing with him on the 45 Bluejays in their debut season. He was a great teammate and a class guy. I remember the last time I spoke with him this past season, congratulating him on a nice double he hit. He will be missed by myself and many others.
As strange as it sounds, some deaths hit harder than others. I met Bob 5 or 6 years ago one spring at a combined teams workout. We got to chatting and soon realized Bob went to school with all of my older cousins. It was obvious Bob had an interesting past and a gentle soul. He was just a good guy. It was always good seeing Bob, catching up on things and comparing aches and pains - He was one of those guys you found a way to say "Hi" to and not find a way to avoid if he was in your proximity. I guess, that the draw of a positive person.
Substance abuse/addiction is an awful thing for people to experience and a difficult thing to get through but with the help of the right person expressing compassion, empathy, respect and understanding folks can work their way through it. Bob was the guy you wanted helping people struggling with their addictions to get them to a healthy place. It's a shame he won't be around to get that valuable work done.
Good guy and it saddens me to know he won't be out on a baseball field somewhere this summer.
Very sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I haven't seen him in a couple of years but I played with him on the Hawks & BlueJays. We spent some time together warming up and chatting on the bench . He always had a kind word and you could feel his sincere love of the game and he never shed his competitive spirit. A very warm person.
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Gregg Woolston
Damn Yankees 55+ over
gwool08@gmail.com
