I have a few friends that were reps for Spalding and were getting together in the near future for some golf down this way...they sent me this today...the father of the modern bal...
Robert P. Molitor 1921 - 2010 PEORIA, IL - Robert P. (Bob) Molitor, Golf Ball Inventor, 89, of Peoria, IL, and formerly of South Hadley, passed away on July 20, at home. Bob was born on March 17, 1921 in Brooklyn, NY. He was the son of the late Peter F. Molitor and Anna Brand Molitor. He graduated from Manual Training High School, Brooklyn in 1939, and he received his BS degree in Chemical Engineering from Tri-State University in Angola, IN in 1942. After college, Bob joined US Rubber Co. in Mishawaka, IN. As a Chemical Engineer he helped develop self-sealing fuel tanks for fighter planes. This innovation saved the lives of numerous US airmen during World War II. Bob later worked for Sun Rubber Co. in Barberton, Ohio, and Bauer and Black in Chicago before settling in at A. G. Spalding Co. in Chicopee, MA. Bob worked for Spalding for the next 42 years. He was Vice President for Research and Development, and retired in 1999 at the age of 78. Bob had a career filled with accomplishments. He was awarded 27 patents for his innovative work, mostly in the field of sporting goods. He also pioneered colored tennis balls, made numerous improvements to air filled balls including footballs and basketballs, developed plastic ski boots, and was instrumental in the change from horsehide to cowhide baseballs in the major leagues. His most famous accomplishments were in the world of golf where he is considered to be the "father of the modern-day golf ball". He developed the first two-piece golf ball, the Top Flite, in 1971. This process would eventually be used by every major golf ball manufacturer in the world. The Surlyn cover that he created made golf balls nearly cut-proof and revolutionized the game of golf for the average player. Bob was elected to the National Sporting Goods Hall of Fame in 1979. A high end golf ball manufactured by Spalding carried the Molitor name. Bob will be most remembered for his quiet, modest personality, his refusal to give in to Multiple Sclerosis over the last 25 years of his life, his love of family and friends, and his innovative spirit. He leaves his loving wife of 66 years, Burnice, his four children, Bruce Molitor of Bedford, Texas, Susan Molitor Edmiston of Frankfort, IN, Peter Molitor of Hatfield, MA, Teresa Molitor Smyth of Peoria, IL. nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A funeral mass was held on Saturday, July 24 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Peoria, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church 6001 N. University St. Peoria, IL 61614 or the Greater New England Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Waltham, MA 02451.