Robert C. Bartholomew, 84, Austin

Published 11:25 am Thursday, September 20, 2012

Robert C. Bartholomew, 84, of Austin, Minn., died Monday, Sept. 17, 2012, at his home.

Robert C. Bartholomew

Robert was born Oct. 14, 1927, in St. Paul, Minn., to Earl and Frances (Fischer) Bartholomew. As a young man, Robert attended St. Mark’s Catholic School in St. Paul, where he had an opportunity to sing for the Pope, as well as weddings and special events. He was a member of the city and state championship Junior League Baseball team from St. Paul. Robert attended St. Paul High School, where he was an all-conference basketball and baseball player. In 1945, at the age of 17, he signed a professional baseball contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was assigned to their minor league affiliate in Zanesville, Ohio. It was during this time that he met and married Elizabeth Malloy in 1948.

Also during this time, he served two years of military duty and was stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He played on the All-Military professional baseball team and roomed with lifetime friend “Mr. Dodger,” Tommy LaSorda. During his four-year professional baseball career, Robert boasted a .302 batting average as well as many stolen bases and put-outs from his center field position. He played with some of baseball’s all-time greats: Jackie Ronbinson, Duke Snyder, Willie Mays, Satchell Page, Mel Ott and many more. Following baseball Robert and Elizabeth decided to raise a family and moved to Austin, where he worked for Scheid Plumbing and Heating and played semi-pro baseball for the Austin Packers for several years.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard Bartholomew, wife Betty, sons Peter and William Bartholomew, sister-in-law Gloria Bartholomew, brother-in-law Jim Kane and nephew Rich Meyer. He is survived by sister Eileen Kane; children Barney and Joan Bartholomew, Ginnie Bartholomew, Steven Bartholomew, Joe and Teresa Bartholomew and Fran and Dave Hennen; special friend Pat Stevens; 20 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Robert Bartholomew will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, at the Mayer Funeral Home in Austin, with Father Paul Nelson officiating. Military honors will be conducted at 2 p.m. at the funeral home by Austin American Legion Post No. 91. Mayer Funeral Home of Austin is in charge of arrangements.