Robert "Bobby" Reith Jr., of Sun City Center FL, passed away peacefully on May 29th, 2020 at age 80, of lingering heart issues. On June 27th, he would have been 81 years of age.  He was preceded in death by parents Bob Sr. and Doris. Survived by wife of 60 years, Kay; sons Ric (of Shakopee, MN) and Tom (of Geneva, Illinois); brothers Phil and Chuck; granddaughter, Abby, and a host of extended family.

Bobby was born in Windsor, ON, Canada, and in 1952 settled with his family in St. Louis Park, MN.  We recall that Bobby, besides being active in our high school Hi-Y, Letterman's Club, Student Council, the Senior Class Play and Spring Play, was a star athlete for all three high school years in both ice hockey and golf.  He was a consummate athlete. 

As a scholarship athlete, Bobby attended the University of MN to play hockey and golf and in 1962 became a PGA Golf Professional. As a fifth-generation golf professional with numerous achievements locally and nationally on the links, his long career spanned both working at prestigious golf clubs and as a professional tour player. In addition, Bobby enjoyed a ten-year second career with the Golf Galaxy retail chain. Through the game of golf, and his generous spirit, Bobby has touched the lives of a great many people.  When inducted into the St. Louis Park Hall of Fame, his plaque read, "If I have to work for a living, I couldn't have been happier than to do so as a professional golfer."

For his entire life, Bobby was a PGA Golf Professional.  Besides running golf shops for Golf Galaxy and playing on the professional tour from time to time, Bobby's hobbies included golf club repair, tennis, biking, swimming and various golf outings.  His wife, Kay, fondly recalls that Bobby never complained.  Regardless of anything that might have gone wrong, Bobby just "bucked up" and took it all in stride.

Bobby retired from the Senior Tour in 1997 and worked for Golf Galaxy until 2007, having moved to Sun City, Florida in 2006, where he and Kay have lived for the past 15 years.  Like nearly all his neighbors, Bobby owned a golf cart, which he drove everywhere.  He played golf for fun with his friends and neighbors in that Sun City community.  Bobby and Kay's son, Tom, became a professional golfer in the Phoenix, AZ area, but quit after 4 years to follow a path into a successful business career.

Most of us had no idea that Bobby Reith had over the years suffered from 5 heart attacks, the first at age 30, plus 2 open-heart surgeries.  In the last two years, Bobby had problems with his balance and body control, neither of which is good for a professional golfer, or for anyone for that matter.  He not only had trouble climbing into his golf cart, Kay reports that his hands trembled so much that he couldn't even use his putter easily on the greens.  That certainly would have bothered any golfer; but Bobby just never complained.  Yet it was his lingering heart failure that Kay says led to his final days.

Reith's most memorable recollections, which he shared with us for our 50th Class Reunion include becoming a Minnesota State Open Champion, a Minnesota PGA Champion, being on the PGA Golf Tour and the PGA Senior Golf Tour.  Bobby was inducted into the Minnesota PGA Hall of Fame, the St. Louis Park Athletic Hall of Fame and for a time was an announcer for the ESPN TV Network.

Other friends have made comments as follows:

Damon Glocklee PGA retired

"By far the most kind and witty boss I ever had. Truly was a delight to see his smiling face in the golf shop every morning. I wish I would have had half his talent."

Steve Noran, M.D.

"My condolences to all of Bobby’s family. One of the nicest guys I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. He will be missed."

Vic Lewis

"My Thoughts and Prayers to All the Reith Family! 
RIP Bobby you will never be forgotten!"

Don Brose

"Many great high school memories, especially in hockey.  My condolences to Kay and family.