Robert T. "Bob" Purkey

Robert T. "Bob" Purkey

Robert Purkey Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Mar. 18 to Mar. 19, 2008.
PURKEY ROBERT T. "BOB"
Age 78, of Bethel Park, on Sunday, March 16, 2008. Devoted husband of the late Joan(Latsko) Purkey; loving father of Candy (Bob) Holland and the late Bobby Purkey, Jr.; Cherished grandfather of Ross and Brian Holland; Son of the late Edward and Anna Purkey; Brother of Don (Beverly) Purkey and the late Edward Purkey; Brother in law of John (Barbara) Latsko, Bill (the late Connie) Latsko, Geri(Charley) Rabe, Nancy (the late Joe) Latsko and Norma Purkey. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Friends received Tuesday & Wednesday 2-4 & 7-9 at PAUL L. HENNEY MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 5570 Library Rd., Bethel Park. Funeral Liturgy of The Word and Funeral Rites will be held Thursday 9:30 AM at St. Valentine Church (Everyone Please meet at Church). Interment will follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Bob pitched in the Major leagues for 13 years, from 1954-1966, and played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, and St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched in All Star games and one World Series, won 129 games in the Major Leagues, and was 23-5 in 1962 for the Cincinnati Reds. Bob is also a member of the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. After baseball Bob started his own business, the Bob Purkey Agency in Bethel Park, which he owned for over 30 years until his retirement. Bob was active in Bethel Park's Chamber of Commerce, and for many years helped raise money for charity through a variety of endeavors including active participation with the Pittsburgh Pirates Alumni Association. If desired memorial contributions may be made to Pirate Alumni Charities, 115 Federal St., PNC Park Pgh., PA 15212.
www.henneyfuneralhome.com
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb

Sign Robert Purkey's Guest Book

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May 6, 2008

Robert Purkey posted to the memorial.

March 21, 2008

Carole Recker posted to the memorial.

March 21, 2008

Mark Ferraco posted to the memorial.

21 Entries

Robert Purkey

May 6, 2008

Hello...I'm not sure, but we may have been related...my family moved from Steubenville OH in the early 80's..and I have his baseball card....wish I had a picture, we look alike! My Grandfather was Clark Purkey and my dad's name is Larry Kieth...anyway..my condolences..I wish i had a chance to meet him.

Carole Recker

March 21, 2008

Candy, Bob and family,

So very sorry to learn of the loss of your father. I had met him at a few baseball games and he seemed like a wonderful man. Your loss, especially at this time of year will be deeply felt. May your happy memories be of some comfort to you.

With deepest sympathy,

Mark Ferraco

March 21, 2008

Our deepest sympathy for the passing of Bob. I had the pleasure of meeting him duing my time with the Pirates at various events over the years. Our prayers are with his family.

John McCollister

March 20, 2008

To the Purkey family:

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

I join Bob's legion of fans and friends who elect at this moment to celebrate his life. As a fan, I appreciate the fact that both on and off the field, Bob Purkey embodied the priceless quality called "class."

John McCollister
Port Orange, Florida

Rich Kress

March 19, 2008

I had the pleasure of working with Bob while employed as an underwriter for the Transamerica Ins. Co. during the 70's. I'll never forget what a fine gentleman he was in every sense of the word. You have my heartfelt condolences.

Champion Lakes 1993

March 19, 2008

Donna Banko

March 19, 2008

My sympathies go out to you and your family.
I had the honor to know your father, when I worked at Champion Lakes Golf Course from 1992 to 1995. He always had a friendly smile and a hug when he saw you. Bob made you feel like a true friend, He will missed. Truely a great man to all that knew him.

Darrell HESS

March 19, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

robert harrer,sr

March 19, 2008

mr Purkey when I was a little kid, along with Thomas, FRiend, Face and Groat would wait up for me so I could get an autograph. Purkey and Friend showed how to grip the ball- so on a personall level I am sorry he died and hope he did not suffer. condolences to the Family

Mr & Mrs. Donald Koenig, Jr.

March 19, 2008

To Candace and family; Our deepest condolences on the loss of your Dad, and Mom, so recently. May their rest in peace together bring you some measure of comfort, along with the wonderful memories of a true gentleman who was always our famous neighbor who lived with his family in the split level on Bethel Park Drive. I was honored to know him.

Donald Nagode

March 18, 2008

Our deepest sympathy to the Purky family. Bob played golf once a week at Fallen Timber G.C. with John Latsko, and we enjoyed their presence very much. We had a lot of good evenings after the game.
Marge and Don Nagode
Mesa, Arizona

Joe Wright

March 18, 2008

My condolences to all the Purkey family. I will always remember your father being nice enough to an 11 year old boy asking for an autograh, to explain he couldn't sign an autograph because he had to go warm-up because he was starting that night for the Reds. I think I speak for many Reds fans, your father was more than a good pitcher, you could also tell he was a very good man. Cincinnati's thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Jim and Penny Pantano, Penny is Bob and Joan Purkey's niece

Penny Pantano

March 18, 2008

Dear Candy and Family,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Uncle Bob and Aunt Joan were always so great to me and my family. I remember coming over to your house many times when I was growing up. I also remember listening to the baseball games when Uncle Bob was pitching. We were all so proud of him and your Mom. We have many baseball cards from Bob's time in the majors.
God Bless and Peace.
Love, Penny Purkey Pantano and Jim Pantano

Denise Fastuca - Heidenreich

March 18, 2008

Dear Candy,

My most sincere condolences to you and your family. I have fond memories of your mother and father. Your mother was opened armed with everyone and your father was a gentle gentleman. You were blessed to have such wonderful parents and role models. My prayers are with you at this time.

Norm Purkey

March 18, 2008

Bob was a fine uncle who always had time for me. He told me a few stories of when he and my Dad were kids growing up on Mt. Washington, I will always remember them. Candy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in your time of grief. I hope all your memories will bring you comfort.

Tom Dormer

March 18, 2008

The Purkey Family Bob was a GREAT GUY and a friend for many years.

Bob Bauer

March 18, 2008

I was fortunate enough to know Bob through a mutual friend Tom Rader. We played golf many times and he was an outstanding golfer. If you didnt know he was a major league player you woudnt know. He was truely humble and a great gentleman.I once said to him on the golf course that I admired his great concentration. He told me that this wasnt concentration that pitching to Willie Mays with the bases loaded was concentration. I am honored to have known him and greatly saddened at his passing. He was a wonderful human being and will be sorely missed.

Donald Koenig

March 18, 2008

Dear Candy,
It only took your Mom 5 weeks to convince God she missed her husband and needed to be with him again. What a great couple, I'm glad I knew them.

David Ptaszkiewicz

March 18, 2008

Dear Candy & Bob Holland:
My sympathies go out to you and your family. I had the pleasure of meeting Bob & playing golf with him several times. He was a genuine, first class guy and I truly enjoyed his company.
God Bless.

David Ptaszkiewicz (Chrissy Giunta's brother)

Terry Moore

March 18, 2008

Bob Purkey was an outstanding pitcher and an exceptional gentleman. Condolences to his family on the loss of this fine man.

Bob Benedik

March 18, 2008

Dear Purkey Family,

I'm very sorry to hear about Bob.

My father & I knew Bob & his son Bobby quite well in the late 60's when Bobby played little league.

They travelled to Robinson Twp where I played and my father was the manager of the team.

I have lots of memories of Bob & Bobby on and off the field.

Bob and my father were pretty good friends in the 60's and my father hired Bob a number of times for speaking engagments at banquets.

It was so cool in the 60's to say you actually knew a major league baseball player.

Please accept our consdolonces.

Bob Benedik Family
Robinson Twp

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Sign Robert Purkey's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

May 6, 2008

Robert Purkey posted to the memorial.

March 21, 2008

Carole Recker posted to the memorial.

March 21, 2008

Mark Ferraco posted to the memorial.