Robert Harry "Bob" Roesler, author, Navy veteran, and former Sports Editor of The Times-Picayune, departed this life on February 22, 2021, at Chateau de Notre Dame in New Orleans after many years of living with Alzheimer's Disease. Born on 5 October 1927 in Hammond, LA, to Hildegarde Schwartz Roesler and Albert Roesler, he was preceded in death by his parents and by his sisters, Lillie Roesler and Erna Roesler Haber. Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Cloe Alferez Huth; his children, Kim Spencer, Bob Roesler, and Toby Roesler (Lynne Richter); grandchildren Ian Spencer, Hannah Usner, and Noah Roesler; and great-grandchildren John and Dominic Usner.
Bob grew up in Lakeview and was orphaned at an early age by the tuberculosis that also took the life of his eldest sister, Lillie. As a young teen, he worked taking tickets and cleaning at the Lakeview Theatre, selling peanuts at Pelican Stadium, and delivering a neighborhood newspaper. His student years at Warren Easton High School were cut short by World War II when he joined the Merchant Marine and then, at the age of 17, the United States Navy. He served as an electrician's mate on submarines in the Pacific, and re-enlisted to serve in the Korean War.
He began his long career at The Times-Picayune in 1949 as a copy editor, then became a sportswriter and covered sports from horse racing, to boxing, to college football. His wife Cloe observed that Tulane fans were convinced he favored LSU, and LSU fans were equally certain he favored Tulane.
The "Sport of Kings" was his favorite beat. In 1964, on the first of his 33 consecutive trips to the Kentucky Derby, Bob picked Northern Dancer as the winner with the exact time.
His intelligence, work ethic, sense of fairness, decency, and diligence resulted in his promotion to the position of Sports Editor, and ultimately Executive Sports Editor of The Times-Picayune/States-Item. He was a strong voice for keeping horse racing a clean and fair sport for the fans and the horses. His fearless reporting caused him at one time to be banned from the Fair Grounds racetrack by former owners. Bob related some of his favorite stories of the sport’s colorful characters in his book, The Fair Grounds: Big Shots & Long Shots.
On All Saints’ Day, 1966, New Orleans became an NFL town with the awarding of the New Orleans Saints franchise. Bob became involved in reporting on the NFL and its inner workings, played a key role in bringing Super Bowl IV to New Orleans in 1970, and covered 25 Super Bowls.
In 1974 he spent a month in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Zaire) covering The Rumble in the Jungle, when Muhammad Ali fought George Foreman for the heavyweight boxing title.
Bob served with distinction as President of the Press Club of New Orleans and the Pro Football Writers of America. His peers in the PFWA honored him with the Dick McCann Award at the NFL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies in 1997 in recognition of his long and distinguished reporting in the field of professional football.
Bob always spoke in his characteristically gentle and humble manner of his gratitude for having known and worked with so many great colleagues with The Times-Picayune, States-Item, The Associated Press and local television stations.
The family wants to give special thanks to the many caregivers at Chateau de Notre Dame for the loving, and professional attention that they gave to Bob for the past eight years.
Because of local COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral service will be private. After the burial an informal outdoor memorial following COVID protocols will be held for close friends, family members, and colleagues. Please email [email protected] for details.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:
Friends of Warren Easton Charter High School
3019 Canal St
New Orleans, LA 70119
This will help to fund college scholarships of recent Warren Easton graduates.
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