Robert "Bob" Champion

October 13th, 1917 — October 4th, 2014

Bob Champion died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, October 4, 2014 in Boulder, Colorado after a brief illness.

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 13, 1917 to Jesse and Mona Champion. Bob grew up in Oberlin, Ohio where he excelled at basketball, lettering twice and was team captain his senior year. He was the drummer for a big band while still in high school. Also, while still in high school, he started writing sports for the Oberlin News Tribune. He later became the sports editor for the newspaper, organizing the first sports page in Oberlin newspaper history.

Bob served in the US Army from 1941 to 1945 attaining the rank of First Sergeant. He has been a member of the American Legion since 1945 after being honorably discharged from the Army.

"Champ" was very active in athletics for most of his life. He played fast pitch and slow pitch softball and basketball, as well as coaching in all of those sports. He was an avid golfer, bowler, and horseshoe pitcher well into his eighties. He set a world record at the age of 88 for horseshoe pitching and was inducted into The Guinness Book of Records. As well as being a sports enthusiast, Bob was witty, intelligent, kind, and had a wonderful sense of humor.

He married Connie Ellis on June 12, 1955 in Oberlin, Ohio and they raised six children. The family relocated to Boulder, Colorado in 1970 where Bob was employed by the Sentinal newspapers in Lakewood, Arvada, and Aurora and later by Brunswick Rocky Mountain Lanes in Westminster, Colorado. Bob was a huge fan of the Denver Broncos.

In 1982 Bob started the Double Ringer horseshoe newsletter for the Tri-State region of Colorado, Wyoming, and western Nebraska which is still in publication today. He loved compiling and mailing the newsletter and won many awards for service as well as horseshoe pitching over the years.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, son Mark Champion, daughter Amy Champion, and ex-wife Connie Champion. He is survived by daughter Linda Galusha of Abilene, TX, daughter Cindy Champion of Longmont,CO, son Steve Champion of Boulder,CO, daughter Barbara Burns and her husband Mike of Los Osos, CA, grandchildren Robert and Will Galusha, Madison Kahn, Whitney and Taylor Burns, and by great-granddaughter Jacqueline Galusha.

A memorial service will be held at Darrell Howe Mortuary, 1701 W. South Boulder Road in Lafayette, Colorado on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 3:00 in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the family, to help with the cost of final expenses, to Cindy Champion, 135 Sunset St., Longmont, CO 80501.

Services

A memorial service will be held at Howe Mortuary, 1701 W. South Boulder Road in Lafayette, Colorado on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 3:00 in the afternoon.

Cemetery

None

Location

None

Church

None

Condolences

My dad was a wonderful person and a great dad. I felt so fortune that he was my dad and I will miss him very much. I love you, dad! love always, Cindy
Fri, 2014-10-10 19:11
Bob touched many many lives throughout his life, I was fortunate that he touched mine. I met him while playing softball with and against his wife Connie and Daughter Cindy. He had an unparalleled sense of humor and I will always remember his Support, Smile and walk. What a unique individual, I know that you will miss him. It is ironic that I was just wondering about him just this past week, as I seldom read the obituaries.
Sun, 2014-10-12 19:42
Bob was the BEST neighbor and Friend. He is dearly missed by me & my dog Sparky who got a treat out the back door on a daily basis. Our condolences to his family. Peggy & Sparky
Mon, 2014-10-13 08:57
MAY YOUR MEMORIES BE HAPPY AND PLENTIFUL , MUCH LOVE TO HIS FAMILY
Tue, 2014-10-14 10:29
If I were asked to describe Bob I would begin by saying he was a Christian who lived by the 10-commandements; he lived the Golden Rule because he did do to others as he would have them do to him; he was a very proud father, grandfather and a friend to whoever he met. It was my good fortune to have shared and fulfilled a dream to produce the Double Ringer newsletter. Bob took this publication to heights unimaginable with our first publication in February of 1982. That work will continue because of how he mentored others all along the way over the past 32 years. Bob was my mentor for how to live and enjoy life. Thank you Bob and hope to meet up with you again in good conversations on the "Other Side". John R. Huntzinger
Wed, 2014-10-15 08:37
We were fortunate to meet Bob Champion at one of our earlier World Horseshoe Tournaments. He was working long hours, with Ed Quigley from New Jersey, to publicize the sport of horseshoe pitching. Lots of positive energy, and always a good sense of humor. We have missed seeing Bob these last few years but have enjoyed his Double Ringer, the CO horseshoe newsletter, and feel as if we "talked" to Bob whenever we read the newsletter. Bob, you "done good"! We send our condolences to his family and friends. Leo and Debby M.
Mon, 2014-11-24 15:07
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