Tributes

We have lost our beloved father, grandfather, friend, coach, leader and founder of Phantoms Baseball. Robert “BOB” Blankenship was born on January 1, 1935 in Los Angeles, California. At the age of 81, God called him home. Bob, as he was called, was a standout three-sport athlete in California. He exceled at track, football, and baseball. He received scholarships to Stanford and USC. Bob also played tennis in the French Open, golf, and baseball in the Cleveland Indians organization. However, instead of playing college sports, he served in the United States Army from December 20, 1955 to December 1961. Bob married the love of his life Gwenda “Lee” Sizer on March 17, 1962. They enjoyed life together for over 54 years. They have two children: Denise Anderson and Robert “Robbie” Blankenship. They have 8 grandchildren: Charles “Charlie” Anderson, Erik Anderson, Richard “Ricky” Anderson, Robert “Rob” Blankenship, Daniel Blankenship, Christine Blankenship, Emily “Emmy” Blankenship, and Russell Blankenship. They have one great grandchild: Robert Easton Blankenship. Bob worked for UPS in Leon Valley from 1974 to 1994. After 20 years at UPS, Bob ran his own family sports card and collectibles shop. He also returned to his other love: coaching youth baseball. Bob coached at Northwest Little League “NWLL” from 1971 to 1981, from 1990 to 2006, and again from 2012 to 2015. Bob coached numerous little league all-star teams and won a little league district championship. Bob founded Phantoms Baseball in 2002 to help local players obtain scholarships to college. Bob won several tournaments and had many state and world series appearances while coaching the Phantoms teams. However, his greatest accomplishment was the number of players he helped obtain scholarships for college. Many of you knew him as BOB. His players lovingly called him “Yoda” because of his great wisdom of the game and the way he walked. Those who knew him well got to know his silly side. He truly loved his players and wanted the best for them. Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush, of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. -Anonymous Bob will truly be missed, as we may not physically see Phantoms #1 coaching first or standing in the dugout, feel comfort that he is there in the wisdom and love of the game he showed all of us, as you teach it to your son, daughter or player he is there coaching with you , you only have to look to the heavens to see Phantoms # 1 standing next to god looking down watching you teach the game he loved so much as we retire Phantoms # 1 to that big playing field in the sky as God called him home to serve at his side that we all remember it’s for the “love of the Game; That we go on. The services are being held at 1:00PM at Mission Park, 20900 IH 10W on Monday, 12/19/2016. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Phantoms Baseball in c/o Robert Blankenship Memorial, P.O. Box 380191, San Antonio, Texas 78268.

Tributes

Robert E Blankenship

January 1, 1935 - December 15, 2016