Bob Buck

Bob Buck of Bethlehem, PA has been a below knee amputee for thirty-nine years.  A graduate of the Choate School, Wallingford, CT in 1960, Bob attended the University of North Carolina for 2 years before going into the US Army in 1963. He was stationed in Fort Devens, MA, Sinop, Turkey, Fort Eustis, VA & Saigon, Vietnam prior to his honorable discharge in 1966. Bob completed his college education at Transylvania University, Lexington, KY (Bus Admin - 1968) and began his career with Bethlehem Steel Corporation.  Bob lost his leg in 1970 after a year’s battle with osteomyalytsis following an automobile accident.  During his career with Bethlehem, he worked in the St Louis, Kansas City, Bethlehem and Philadelphia Sales Offices. Bob retired (2002) after 33 years with Bethlehem Steel as a Senior Account Manager in Field Sales. 

Bob is a former Eastern Trustee of the National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) and is the Founder, past President & current Executive Director of the Eastern Amputee Golf Association (EAGA).  The Association conducts amputee tournaments and golf outings as well as the NAGA’s “First Swing / Learn to Golf” clinics for rehab and golf professionals and individuals with disabilities and their families.  In 1994, Bob was given an “Honorable Mention” Award during National Rehabilitation Week for the work he and the EAGA are doing to benefit the amputee and disabled community.  

In 1997, Bob tied for second at the 50th National Amputee Golf Championship shooting (74-76-77).  In 2005 at Bethpage State Park, Bob finished in 7th Place at the National Championship (76-79-81).  Bob has won 23 EAGA Championships including four Pennsylvania Amputee Championships and three Eastern Regional Amputee Championships and most recently, the 2008 Howard Taylor Memorial Classic. Bob served for five years as the Consumer Representative on the Board of Directors of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).  In 2000, Bob served as the Chairman of the Disability Access Committee for the 2000 U.S. Senior Open Golf Championship at Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem, PA. The committee provided free scooters and shuttle service for disabled spectators.  The 2000 Senior Open became the first USGA golf tournament to provide wheelchair viewing in the bleachers.   The 2009 USGA Women’s Open was just completed at Saucon Valley CC and Bob was again honored to served as Chairman of the Disabled Services Committee.

Bob has been recognized for his leadership and vision for helping start the National Amputee Golf Association’s “First Swing/Learn to Golf” Seminar program for Rehab & Golf professionals and the Disabled Community.  Good Shepherd Rehab Hospital, Allentown, PA was the site of the initial program 24 years ago. Hospital CEO Sally Gammon presented the recognition award at their Annual Celebrity Golf Classic Dinner.  To date, Bob has conducted over 320 “First Swing” Clinics, including ten programs with Disabled Sports USA & the Wounded Warrior Project at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. 

In 1998, Bob was honored with his induction into Transylvania University’s Pioneer “Hall of Fame” in Lexington, KY for his college golf accomplishments (Low Scoring Average, two MVP Awards and Team Co-Captain) and his on-going work of bringing golf to people with disabilities.  In 2006, Bob was selected to participate as a member on the USA Amputee Golf Team as they played the International Amputee Golf Team following the 59th National Amputee Golf Championship at Onion Creek GC in Austin, TX for the Robinson Cup (Amputee Ryder Cup).   The USA Team was victorious 14½ to 9½.

In 2007, Bob was honored at the “Pennsylvanians with Disabilities” Day celebrations.  The PDD committee recognizes and celebrates individuals & organizations which demonstrate positive attitudes in the removal of barriers to the physically or mentally challenged.  Bob was selected for his and EAGA’s continuing efforts to empower persons with disabilities to enjoy the game of golf and by doing so open a broad vista of possibilities in the other areas of life.

In 2009, Bob was selected to participate in a new initiative from the Department of Defense called “Inclusive Recreation for Wounded Warriors”. The four day program was developed by Penn State University to educate and assist Recreation Managers at our Military installations bring Leisure & Sports activities to our Wounded Warriors.  Bob presented a personal perspective as an amputee and benefits of golf as a perfect sport for our amputee wounded warriors. The eight conference sessions will conclude in 2010.

Bob and his wife Linda have two grown daughters, Jennifer and Leigh and two grandchildren, Julia - 4 years old and Austin - 3years old. They currently reside in Bethlehem, PA.

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