Photo courtesy of Hultgren Funeral Home and Cremation Center - Wheaton
Wheaton, Illinois
May 6, 1922 – Oct 9, 2015 (Age 93)
Robert Charles Baptista "Bob" - BiographyBob was born in Evanston, Illinois in 1922. He attended Winnetka Public Schools and graduated from New Trier High School in 1940.He graduated from Wheaton College (IL), completed a Master's degree at University of Buffalo (NY) and earned a Doctorate at...
Read MoreRead this today and was remembering the years my mom, Betty Goddard, worked at Wheaton with “Coach” Baptista. She always loved her job and working with people like Bob and Martha.
Janice Goddard Matuch
April 29, 2025 | Wheaton, IL | Acquaintance
Baptista Family,
Dr B was a great man. I was very moved at the memorial service by all of the wonderful remembrances of him. For myself personally, he was a great Christian role model and in every way the exemplification of how I would expect Christ would carry himself in all the roles Dr B filled as coach, teacher, college administrator, husband, father of my best friend Rob, grandfather and friend. And to the Baker Family in particular, including Don and Jan (Sr), Jan (Jr), Debbie...
Don Baker
October 25, 2015 | Alexandria, VA
Baptista family,
Hearing of Coach's passing brought back many memories of a soccer coach, mentor, life coach and a man of God. There are so many memories, I really don't know where to begin, or end. His commitment to his players went well beyond the team. One day, about 20 years after my last game, Coach sent me a letter which came out of the blue. It was a tremendous encouragement to me, but it also demonstrated his true concern about his players. I'm sharing a picture from that...
Win McCausland
October 16, 2015 | New Albany, OH
Will never forget his encouragement and intestinal fortitude as he tried to make a soccer player out of me. Also remember his encouragement and advice as he turned over the reigns of Wheaton soccer to me in 1968. What a godly, larger-than-life, good friend.
Russ Enlow
October 15, 2015 | Ocoee, FL
Mrs Baptista
Jim Kraakevik admired Bob, and so did I--we admired Bob for his colorblind unconventional genius and industry--we will not see his like again.
I also admired Rob for his volleyball prowess--wish he'd coached our undefeated team in Nigeria in the 60's--I'd have profited from his counsel.
Warm greetings too to Laurel--our deepest condolences to your entire family
Tim Kraakevik
October 14, 2015
One of many committed Wheaton Men who shared their passion for the Cross. You blessed generations with your life lived for Him!
Tom Dykstra
October 14, 2015 | Byron Center, MI
Dear Martha,
We will miss Bob and his humorous participation in the Windsor Park exercise class.Most of all we will miss his friendship through the years and outstanding teaching and Christian leadership.Blessing to you and the Family,Dennis and Ruth Gibson
Ruth Gibson
October 14, 2015 | Carol Stream,, IL
What a joy to have observed Bob from press box, scorer's table, sideline and sitting next to him in the stands in retirement at dozens of soccer games during the 64 years of our mutual participation in Wheaton varsity sports. I can't recall a single student-athletes he coached who ever said a 'critical' word of 'Coach 'Tista' in my presence. Beloved may be the rarest of adjectives for a coach; for Bob it fit. In behalf of the hundreds who would wish to be remembered to Martha and the family,...
Ray Smith
October 14, 2015 | Carol Stream, IL
Sorry for your loss. May the God of comfort help you doing this difficult time. Psalms 83 : 18.
October 14, 2015
