Wrestling leader Bob Gressley passed away on Friday
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by USA Wrestling
Bob Gressley of Arizona, a longtime leader in wrestling active with the Sunkist Kids and USA Wrestling, passed away on Friday. Bob put tremendous time and effort into wrestling, and touched the lives of so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.
We thank the Sunkist Kids for this biography of Bob Gressley.
Bio for Papa
In Loving Memory of, Robert D. Gressley, better known as Bob or Papa. Bob was born in Wilmington, Delaware on July 19, 1945 where he lived until the age of three. His family moved to Arizona where he lived until the age of 69. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Gail Gressley on a blind date in the spring of 1963. They were soon married on January 21st, 1965 and had a family of three children: James, Cindy and Timothy.
In addition to his family and friends, Bob had a strong passion for the sport of wrestling. He felt wrestling was a great way to help turn boys into men. And for over 40 years, he devoted his extra time and energy to this wonderful sport.
His entire family was involved with him at the grass roots level. His two sons Jim and Tim both competed for over 15 years growing up and went on to wrestle for Arizona State. His wife Gail and daughter Cindy were always involved whether it was watching the boys wrestle, working the events or selling wrestling equipment at local tournaments.
Even after his boys finished competing, Bob continued to support wrestling by involving himself with his youngest son Tim. He volunteered his time to help the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Academy and the Elite Club. Bob continued to encourage and support kids that would not be in the sport today if not for his selfless efforts. The countless hours he gave back to the wrestling community is immeasurable.
Bob was a friend, a joker, a gear hauler, a truth teller and a worker bee. We thank him for sharing his love for wrestling and his fiery spirit. He will be deeply missed!
It is with a heavy heart that we let you know last Friday evening, October 24th, 2014 Bob passed away.
His loving memory will live on through his wife, his three children and his six grandchildren: Bailey, Bryce, Kaylee, Breann, Emily, and Cort. Bob was a very dedicated father, a loving husband and wrestling’s biggest fan!!!
We thank the Sunkist Kids for this biography of Bob Gressley.
Bio for Papa
In Loving Memory of, Robert D. Gressley, better known as Bob or Papa. Bob was born in Wilmington, Delaware on July 19, 1945 where he lived until the age of three. His family moved to Arizona where he lived until the age of 69. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Gail Gressley on a blind date in the spring of 1963. They were soon married on January 21st, 1965 and had a family of three children: James, Cindy and Timothy.
In addition to his family and friends, Bob had a strong passion for the sport of wrestling. He felt wrestling was a great way to help turn boys into men. And for over 40 years, he devoted his extra time and energy to this wonderful sport.
His entire family was involved with him at the grass roots level. His two sons Jim and Tim both competed for over 15 years growing up and went on to wrestle for Arizona State. His wife Gail and daughter Cindy were always involved whether it was watching the boys wrestle, working the events or selling wrestling equipment at local tournaments.
Even after his boys finished competing, Bob continued to support wrestling by involving himself with his youngest son Tim. He volunteered his time to help the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Academy and the Elite Club. Bob continued to encourage and support kids that would not be in the sport today if not for his selfless efforts. The countless hours he gave back to the wrestling community is immeasurable.
Bob was a friend, a joker, a gear hauler, a truth teller and a worker bee. We thank him for sharing his love for wrestling and his fiery spirit. He will be deeply missed!
It is with a heavy heart that we let you know last Friday evening, October 24th, 2014 Bob passed away.
His loving memory will live on through his wife, his three children and his six grandchildren: Bailey, Bryce, Kaylee, Breann, Emily, and Cort. Bob was a very dedicated father, a loving husband and wrestling’s biggest fan!!!
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