| Wins against Kentucky - 0 | Losses against Kentucky - 1 |
Alma Mater: DePauw [1941]
Date Born: July 8, 1918
Date Died: October 26, 1995
Overall Record: 176-176 [15 Seasons]
| Date | Matchup | UK Result | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/17/1965 | Air Force at Kentucky | W | 78 - 58 | UKIT |
Obituary - Arizona Daily Star (October 30, 1995)
Spear, Robert B., of Tucson, 77, born July 8, 1918, Mansfield, OH. Died October 26, 1995.
Survived by wife, Dorothy Ball Spear. Married October 1, 1942. Sons, Brink, Bert, Barry (Stephanie), Berney; grandchildren, Jamie Fry, Kelle Spear, Lisa Spear (Bert), Alicia Spear, Colin Spear, Mary Leah Spear (Barry).
After graduating from DePauw University, in Greencastle, IN in 1941, Bob became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Air Corps and he earned his Flying Wings in 1942. During his career in the Air Force, he flew in the Berlin Airlift and eventually became a command pilot.
In 1949, Bob was assigned to the U.S. Naval Academy, in Annapolis MD, as assistant tennis coach and assistant basketball coach. Because of this assignment he was selected as the first basketball coach at the newly formed Air Force Academy in 1955.
He retired as a lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force and as the Cadet Basketball coach in 1971. He was regarded as one of the most innovative coaches of his time. His strategy of disciplined offense, coupled with pressing defense allowed his teams to compete with some of the most recognized college programs on the Division One level.
Following his retirement from coaching, Bob pursued a successful career in real estate and family financial and tax planning. He and Dottie moved to Green Valley, AZ, in 1980, where he devoted much time to playing golf. However, it was pastel paintings with an emphasis on Native American portraits, which gained him acclaim in his later years.
Memorial Services will be held 11:00 am., October 31, 1995 at East Lawn Palms Morturary Chapel, 5801 E. Grant Rd. Further services and burial will be Saturday, November 4, 1995 at the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. Contributions may be made to a trust fund in the name of Robert "Bob" Spear to be announced.
