Coach Bob Rhodes joined his heavenly team on February 23, 2020, after a courageous 17-month battle with complications from a traumatic brain injury. He was born Robert Arnold Rhodes on October 13, 1946 in Wilmington, NC, son of the late Lester Nicholson Rhodes and Rosalene Hester Rhodes.
Robert, also known as Bob and Coach Rhodes, lived most of his life in Charlotte, NC and was known by family and friends as a reserved, polite and humble man, with a strong work ethic and integrity.
At the age of 15, Robert met the love of his life, Brenda Hull at a baseball game, and they remained together for 58 years. They married in 1968 and celebrated their 51st anniversary last October. They raised three children, who all attended the high school where Bob taught. Baseball brought Robert and Brenda together and it became an integral part of their family’s life, through his years as a player, his coaching career, his volunteer work, and with his son’s baseball journey. The only thing that competed with his love of baseball was his love for family. After retirement, he and Brenda moved to Greenville, NC where they invested their time and energy in their grandchildren.
Beginning at an early age, Robert became a force to be reckoned with on the baseball field, starting with little league, at Spaugh Jr. High, at Harding High School, and in summer leagues. As a strong right-handed pitcher with poise, speed and control, he developed a tricky knuckle curveball and a two-seam fastball, and became a mainstay in Charlotte baseball, playing on several highly successful baseball teams. From 1962-1965, Bob pitched for teams that contended for four national baseball titles in 4 consecutive years. His team came in 3rd place in the Babe Ruth Championship in 1962; won the Colt World Series in 1963; was 1st runner-up in the American Legion World Series in 1964; and won the American Legion World Series in 1965. The 1965 Post 9 team returned home to crowds of people at the airport and enjoyed riding in convertibles in a parade through Charlotte. The Post 9 players were later inducted into the Charlotte Baseball Hall of Fame. Robert was recruited to play baseball at UNC-Chapel Hill, receiving an athletic scholarship as a member of the Tarheel pitching staff for four years, and played on their ACC Championship team in 1969. He was a proud Carolina graduate with a Bachelor of Education degree.
After college, his first teaching and coaching job was at Nash Central in Nashville NC, where he created a baseball field by making a drag and pulling it behind his Mercury to get the field cleared and level. Robert returned to Charlotte and taught physical education and health at Ranson Junior High School. During his 7-year tenure, he coached baseball, football, and basketball, as well as served as the Athletic Director for two years and as the President of the NC Jr. High Coaches Association.
In 1977, Bob joined Olympic High School, which became his home for the next 32 years, serving as a physical education teacher and baseball coach. He practically lived at the Olympic baseball field during those 32 years, preparing it for both high school and league teams. Much time was spent on mowing, seeding, trimming, dragging and watering, and he took pride in its perfection. As head baseball coach at OHS, Bob amassed 378 wins over 32 years. His players trained and worked hard, while having fun. Coach Rhodes insisted that his players be respectful and good sports. Bob’s teams strove to win with dignity.
Bob volunteered at Steele Creek Athletic Association (SCAA) for over a decade, during which he helped bring 4 Southeast Regional Babe Ruth Baseball Tournaments to Olympic, serving different years as Tournament Director and Assistant Director. The first tournament in 1984 was designed to raise money for SCAA to begin development of an athletic complex. Bob also coached his son’s SCAA teams including three consecutive N.C. State Championships in 1993, 1994, and 1995. He then coached many of the same players at Olympic and for the American Legion Post 380 team for three years.
Coach Rhodes had high expectations for his players on and off the field. He took great pleasure in seeing them grow and learn while helping them develop the character, integrity, and work ethic that they would need to become responsible, productive, and happy adults. In 2008, Bob received the “Contributions to the Game of Baseball Award” from the Greater Charlotte Area Hot Stove League. He was named “Coach of the Year” numerous times, was a member of the State Coaches Association, and served as an assistant coach for the North Carolina State Games. After his retirement, in honor of his years of service and commitment to the growth of OHS and the Steele Creek community, the Olympic High School baseball stadium was dedicated and renamed “Bob Rhodes Stadium.” He was further honored by being asked to throw out the 1st pitch at a Charlotte Knights game.
Bob is survived by his wife of 51 years, Brenda Hull Rhodes; daughter Alyson Rhodes-Murphy and husband Larkin; daughter Tracy Strattman and husband Todd; son Bobby Rhodes and wife Ali; grandchildren Ian and Ailysh Murphy, Zoe and Sam Strattman, Ruby and Jonah Rhodes; brother Jim Rhodes and wife Susan; aunt Myra Rhodes Marrow; brothers-in-law, Bill Pleasants Sr., Skip Hull and wife Jan; sister-in-law, Sybil Keach and husband, Greg; many nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as his beloved side kick, Bear.
The family will host a celebration of Coach Rhodes’ life at Olympic High School in April. Please visit www.mcewenmonroechapel.com for more information about Bob and to leave messages for the family. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to consider contributions to the Olympic High School Foundation.
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