SPRINGFIELD — Robert F. Phipps, 80, of Springfield, passed away on Tuesday July 6, 2010, in his residence after a long illness.
He was born Feb. 25, 1930, in Ironton, the son of Robert Franklin and Grace (Williams) Phipps.
He was a 1948 graduate of Russell High School in Russell, Ky., where he starred in football, basketball and baseball. He was a guard on the 1947 Kentucky state runner-up basketball team, played football at Eastern Kentucky University and had a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals. Bob began his 40-year career in radio and television at WIRO in Ironton in 1953. Through the Sixties, he was a familiar voice to Springfield area teenagers who listened weekday afternoons to his Top 40 Hits Show on WIZE. Bob also provided color commentary for both high school and Wittenberg football and basketball broadcasts. When Channel 26 TV opened in Springfield in 1968, he served as the news and sports editor and broadcaster. Bob concluded his career as an account representative with Continental Cable Television in 1994. In his spare time, he loved to root for his beloved UK Wildcats, Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Browns and to read and research history (especially World War II). However, Bob’s preferred activity was spending time with his large family.
He is survived by Bonnie (Potter), his wife of 60 years, his children, Marsha (Gary) Jenkins of South Charleston, Ohio, Cheryl (Jack) Dalie of Springfield, Anthony Phipps of Clearwater, Fla., James (Terri) Phipps of Myrtle Beach, S. C. and Nancy Summers of Springfield; 12 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and good friend, Greg Bachman. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Services to honor Bob’s life will be 1 p.m. Friday at the Littleton & Rue Funeral Home in Springfield with Pastor David Yingling of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church presiding. Friends may call from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Ferncliff Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation www.mds-foundation.org. You may express condolences to the family at www.littletonandrue.com.