Robert Byron "Bobby" Rascoe

Bobby Rascoe
July 22, 1940 - August 24, 2024
Robert Byron (Bobby) Rascoe, 84, of Bowling Green, died August 24, 2024. He was born in Trigg County on July 22, 1940 to the late A.J. and Lucille Gray Rascoe. At age four, Bobby and his family moved from Trigg County to Owensboro, KY. He graduated from Daviess County High School in 1958. During his high school days, he played multiple sports but the basketball hardwood showcased his grit and tenacious spirit the most. As a 6-foot-4 forward, he led his team to two Sweet 16 appearances and the championship game his senior year. He played with the KY All-Star team, was named to the Kentucky All-State team, and earned High School All-American honors for his hard-nosed play. On his birthday in 1958, he signed to play college basketball at Western Kentucky University for Coach E.A. Diddle. He accomplished many honors with the Hilltoppers and was one of the nation's leading scorers with 25.7 points per game his senior year when he was named an All-American. In 2012, WKU honored Rascoe by retiring his #45 by hanging it in the rafters of Diddle Arena. He was also inducted in the inaugural 1991 class of Western's Athletic Hall of Fame. Rascoe was drafted by the New York Knicks in the 1962 NBA Draft. He chose to play for the Phillips 66ers in Bartlesville, OK. He was an All-American selection for the 66ers before joining the Kentucky Colonels in the ABA in the 1967 inaugural season. Bobby married Nancy Conyer on September 4, 1965. In 1970, they settled in Bowling Green where he returned to WKU as an assistant men's basketball coach under Coach Jim Richards. Rascoe worked for the university in various roles including Director of Teacher Certification and retired after 33 years on the hill. Bobby was a member of First Baptist Church in Bowling Green where he served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon, and member of several committees. He was also active with Gideons International for many years. He loved his neighbors well and would often serve food to those in times of need. Bobby was a constant encourager of people, a mentor to youth in the schools, and loved working WKU All-Sports camps in the summer. In addition to being a proud father and granddaddy, Bobby was an avid gardener, made beautiful furniture, and enjoyed traveling with his friends and family. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mildred Foster and Betty Harris, and brothers Ralph Rascoe and Ewing Rascoe. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Nancy Conyer Rascoe; daughters, Nancy Lynn Skipworth (Rodney), Mary Elizabeth Shipley (Darren); grandchildren, Robert Skipworth, Luke Skipworth, Matthew Shipley, and Elizabeth Shipley; siblings, Gerald Rascoe (Barbara), Martha Kenney (Mike) and Linda Rascoe; as well as many nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be at 12 noon, Thursday August 29th, 2024 at First Baptist Church in Bowling Green. Dr. Jeff Reynolds will officiate. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery #2. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm on Wednesday and 10-12 on Thursday at the First Baptist Church. Arrangements have been entrusted to J. C. Kirby and Son Lovers Lane Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church or the Western Kentucky University Alumni W Club.
Condolences may be offered at jckirbyandson.com