Robert Molitor

Modern-day golf ball inventor

PEORIA - Robert P. "Bob" Molitor, 89, of Peoria passed away suddenly on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, with his family at his side.

Bob was born on March 17, 1921, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of the late Peter F. and Anna Brand Molitor, both of Brooklyn. He graduated from Manual Training High School in Brooklyn in 1939, and he received his BS degree in chemical engineering from Tri-State University in Angola, Ind., in 1942. He later did post-graduate work at Notre Dame University and received an honorary doctorate degree from Tri-State University in 2003.

In 1942, following college, Bob joined U.S. Rubber Co. (Ball-Band Plant) in Mishawaka, Ind. As a chemical engineer at Ball-Band, he helped develop fuel tanks for fighter planes that automatically sealed when damaged by bullets or shrapnel. This innovation was used during the famous Doolittle raids on Tokyo and is credited with saving the lives of numerous U.S. airmen during the second World War and subsequent wars.

It was at Ball-Band that Bob met Burnice Crofoot from Mishawaka, whom he married on April 18, 1944, at Sacred Heart Church in Lakeville, Ind.

Bob later worked for Sun Rubber Co. in Barbarton, Ohio, and Bauer and Black in Chicago, before settling in at A.G. Spalding Co. in Chicopee, Mass. Bob worked for Spalding, the well-known sporting-goods company, for the next 43 years. He was soon appointed the vice president for research and development, and retired in 1999 at the age of 78.

The family lived in South Hadley, Mass., for 24 years before Bob and Burnice moved to Edwardsburg, Mich., in 1981. In 2001, the couple moved to Sycamore, Ill., and then on to Peoria, Ill., in 2005, to live closer to family.

Bob had a career filled with accomplishments. He was awarded 27 patents for his innovative work, mostly in the field of sporting goods. In addition to those mentioned above, he also pioneered colored tennis balls, made numerous improvements to air-filled balls, including footballs and basketballs, developed plastic ski boots, and made baseballs easier to manufacture.

But his most famous accomplishments were in the world of golf, where he is considered to be the "father of the modern-day golf ball." He developed the first two-piece golf ball, the Top Flite, in 1971. This process eventually would be used by every major golf ball manufacturer in the world. The Surlyn cover that he created made golf balls nearly cut-proof for the first time and revolutionized the game of golf for the average player.

Bob received numerous awards and recognitions during his career, including articles in major golf magazines and election to the National Sporting Goods Hall of Fame in 1979. A line of high-end golf equipment manufactured by Spalding carried the Molitor brand for many years.

Despite his professional accomplishments, Bob's family and friends will remember him most for his determination and unwillingness to give in to the effects of multiple sclerosis, his modest personality, his love and generosity for family and friends, and his innovative spirit.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Burnice; his four children, Bruce (Christine) Molitor of Bedford, Texas, Susan Molitor (Paul) Edmiston of Frankfort, Ind., Peter (Jocelyn) Molitor of Hatfield, Mass., and Teresa Molitor (Dan) Smyth of Peoria, Ill.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6001 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61614, where a funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2010, with Monsignor Jason Gray officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the Mass at the church. Cremation rites will be accorded after the Mass. Burial of ashes will be at a later date. Wright & Salmon Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Church.

Tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.wrightandsalmon.com.