St. Vivian Online Discussion Forum: Bob Junker

Thread initiated by A member of the Quicklets staff on 3/21/03.

As several members of the Quicklets staff waited in line at the funeral home Friday night, they commented at the tremendous crowd of people who turned out and the overwhelming show of love and support for the Junker family. After running the idea past Mary Junker, we decided to start this topic to allow others to write about Bobby and provide everyone a chance to share the memories they have of him.

I didn't knw Mr. Junker that well, or even saw him that much. But when i did see him at all biff's basketball game's i played aginst her, I knew he was a great man. I played on and against Biff, and every game I saw Mr. Junker. I went over to his house a couple months ago and he was as friendly as someone can be. I hope ans pray that Mrs. Junker,Biff, Kathrine,gracie, and ann, are alright. Im very sorry for your lost.

by Heather on 3/22/03 at 11:56 AM

There currently exists the Jay Schildmeyer Memorial boy's basketball tournament at St. Vivian's to honor a man who was instrumental in making the boy's sports program here the program it is today.
I propose an annual girl's basketball program to be named the Bobby Junker Memorial tournament to honor the work that Bob and Mary Junker have done to build up the girl's sports program here at St. Vivian's Parish.

by Mary Ellen Smith on 3/22/03 at 12:03 PM

Mr. Junker was a great friend coach and dad no matter what he always found a way to make his family happy. I remember one time at a game I was joking around with him and I can just remember that loving warm smile he had. He always told me at basketball practices when I was having a rough time with my foul shots to never give up and keep trying your hardest. Biff was also a sweetheart her and I always joked around but we always messed with Mr. Junker but he always found some way 2 get us back. This is to the JUNKER family I am truly sorry for your loss he was a great man and I will never forget his laughs or smiles. I am so sorry and I will keep you all in my prayers! I love u always Mr. Junker, LAUREN NEWTON

by lauren newton on 3/22/03 at 12:22 PM

One thing I can never forget about Mr. Junker was his sense of humor. He always had a joke or a comment that made everyone laugh.I have known him since I was little and he had always been a great person. He was my first basketball coach and taught me so much about the game, but he also taught me things that will always last in my heart.He always told us to thank our parents for bringing us up at Vivs and for getting us to our practices and games.He taught me to always keep my head up even when things were goin bad.He was so proud of Biff,Annie,Cat and Grace.He was at all their sports cheering for them.He even made it to my games even if Biff wasnt on the same team.He made everyone feel as if they were his friend.If anyone was at the visitation of Friday, they would know how much Mr. Junker was loved. People waited in line for 2 hours just so they could tell the family how much of a great person Mr.Junker was.I will always remember him.I hope everyone remembers that we always have him and Fr.Jack up there lookin out for us and that we are never alone. I love you Junkers.

by Kellie-Anne Tully on 3/22/03 at 06:14 PM

Every sporting event I went to up at St. Vivian, he was always there cheering on every team even if his daughter wasn't playing. He was such an excellent father to Biff, Annie, Grace, and Katherine. They all loved him so much and man they all can play basketball! I will always have in my heart a place for Mr. Junker. He was such a caring person. Junker family...I am so sorry for the loss of Mr. Junker. He was such an influential person to so many and I will always remember that smile he always had on his face. I am praying for you and will always be here for you! Jill Lennon

by Jill Lennon on 3/22/03 at 06:15 PM

As girls basketball commissioner Bobby Junker will be missed by all the girls he has coached and all that play for St. Vivian's. Whenever I needed help with anything basketball related Bob was the first person I would call. Although we always didn't agree on some things we always worked through them. The girls Basketball program will truly miss Bob. Mary, Biff , Annie, Grace and Cat. You all are in our prayers and thoughts.

by Mike Collier on 3/24/03 at 01:30 PM

Mr. Junker was maybe the tallest and sweetest man i ever knew! He taught me so much about life and basketball. He would always tell me to smile on the basketball court, and i tried my best to. I'm going to miss his smile so much and the way he would pick me up and swing me around! I know he is in heaven now watching over all of us, and he is my guardian angel. I loved him like my own father and I'll never stop. I love you Mr. Junker!

by Maggie Huser on 3/24/03 at 3:38 PM

Mr. Junker was the best coach I've ever had. Even though he only coached me for a couple seasons, he taught me so much about the game of basketball. I remember one time when I was over at Annie's he told us to come on outside because he was going to teach "Haverland" the right way to shoot. Ever since that day, I've been able to shoot one-handed. I will always miss Mr.Junker. Mrs. Junker and the girls will be in my thoughts and prayers forever.I love you guys!

by Katie Haverland on 3/24/03 at 06:58 PM

What can you say about a man who people waited for 2 hours or more to say good-bye, and give their sympathy to Mary, Biff, Annie, Katherine and Grace, other than he was so loved and loved so much. I'm a extended family member who has been to the Junkers for Christmas, birthday parties, and parties for whatever reason. Bobby was always a most gracious host. He made sure you had plenty to eat and had a great time while you were there whether you were one of the kids or one of the adults. Last Tuesday, three of Bobby's sisters, myself and my husband were in the kitchen and we all said how we were waiting for Bobby to come in and ask who wants a beer, or does anyone need anything. His sister Jeanne said it best "Bobby if you wanted to have a party, why didn't you just say so". This is how I will remember Bobby, at his house having a great time, laughing and talking with Mary, the girls and the family. I will miss him and his smile. Mary, Biff, Annie, Katherine and Grace will be in my thoughts and prayers forever.

by Marilyn Bunch on 3/24/03 at 07:42 PM

My Uncle Bobby was a great man who always made me laugh. I always joked around with him about me getting to be too strong for him and he couldn't handle me anymore. He was a great basketball coach. He came to many of my sporting events. He was always there for me. Family always came first. He loved his wife dearly and four daughters also. I was amazed at how many people showed up to the visitation. It made me realize just how special he was and how many people loved him. Uncle Bobby you will be greatly missed but certainly never forgotten. Thanks for the millions of memories.

by Godson on 3/24/03 at 09:26 PM

Bobby Junker was a great man, and not only in his later years. I had the pleasure of seeing him a few times during the last couple years, but I also graduated from RB tech with him in 1979. Bobby played varsity basketball as a freshman, and was on the student senate. And I remember thinking back than...as much as he had going for him he struck a 14 year old kid (me), as an extremely nice and humble person. You gotta love his smile. :o)

by Bob Brauning on 3/25/03 at 07:40 AM

If it were not for Bob Junker's encouragement to coach Susie's basketball team in 4th grade, Dan and I would not have been involved in St. Vivian's Boosters. Dan and I have many great memories and friends as a result. We will always remember Bob and Mary as coaches that unselfishly give to their teams, hold high standards for all their players and expect no less from their four daughters. Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being. Do it for the Lord rather than for man."

by Mary Kay Berning on 3/25/03 at 10:25 AM

I had the pleasure of teaching Elizabeth for 4 years, this is year number two for Annie, and I'll get Catherine and Grace in a couple of years... You can tell so much about a person from their children and the Junker kids have always been fantastic both in and out of the classroom. Bob and Mary have done such an incredible job raising their family and I'm thankful for all of the years I've gotten to work with them.

by Lisa Renken-Teacher on 3/25/03 at 6:40 PM

Bobby, THANKS! Thanks for being a great teacher. As a son, brother, husband, father, friend and coach, you taught us the three D's - desire, discipline and dedication. We will never forget your teachings.

No Bobby, we will not dedicate the next quarter, match, inning, game or season to you. Rather, we will dedicate EVERY quarter, match, inning, game and season BOTH on and off the court/field for the rest of our lives striving to uphold your teachings of the three D's - desire, discipline and dedication.

Thanks for the life lessons. We will never forget them!

by Chip on 3/26/03 at 11:19 PM

I was fortunate enough to know Bobby for about 20 years. I knew him as a father to four beautiful girls, whom he loved and cherished dearly. I knew him as a loving husband who couldn't do enough for Mary. I knew him as a son and brother who adored his parents and four sisters.I knew him as uncle to my children, as well as godfather to my son,Jess. I knew him as a brother-in-law who I could call anytime to help me paint or do my taxes. No matter what my family or I needed, he was willing to help and always did. What I am most proud of is I knew him as my friend!
About fifteen and a half years ago, Bobby stopped by my work on his way home. I remember him walking across the parking lot and wondering why he stopped by to see me. He came to ask me to be godfather to Elizabeth. You can only imagine how proud I was.That was one of the proudest days of my life and I'll cherish it forever.
I will think of Bobby everyday for the rest of my life and thank God for making him a part of my life. I am a better person for having known him!

by Uncle Rog on 3/27/03 at 7:38 AM

Mr. Junker was like my own father! He was always there for me! I remember when he would always call me "stanky" or "shorty". I will always miss him and I know he is in a better place! I love you Mr. Junker!

by Vicki Pumpple on 3/28/03 at 09:16 PM

I moved from Finneytown and St.Vivian's to the bottom of North Bend and met Bobby in the fall of 1972 at St. Charles Borromeo. He was a sixth grader and we played in a small box of a gym with a cement floor and the walls were out of bounds. I remember playing basketball against St Vivian's team with David Knecht and Jeff Riley in high school. David made the comment that they didn't practice because they didn't have a gym. Coming back to Bobby's funeral and seeing the new gym and the pictures on this web site with him on stage with Fr.Jack, I know that he touched alot of people, and it's nice to know that he had a part in the building of the gym. He had the same sweet shot as a sixth grader as he did at Roger Bacon and in college. His team beat St. Bonaventure 65-0 his 7th grade year. I know he's still swishing jumpers from the right wing in heaven. He'll be missed dearly.

by Jim Brinkman on 4/16/03 at 10:54 PM

Uncle Bobby was a great guy! I have had the pleasure of knowing him for all of my life. If anyone would ever ask me who i would consider my closest family members without a doubt I would say the Junkers. I considered him my other dad when ever I was sad he would be there to lift me up. Uncle Bobby had two different nicknames for me 1. as most of you know "beanie" 2. messy molly- but i have been trying to work on that. He was a great father to biff annie cat and grace. Aunt Mary, Biff, Annie, Grace, and Cat you guys are the best you all are in my prayers evry day and night I love you guys. Uncle Bob I will miss you very much but I know you will always be with me and at evry single game like you always have been. I love you so much if it wasnt for you I wouldnt be the person that I am today. You were special in my life.

by Molly on 4/21/03 at 9:25 AM

~*~ WE LOVE YOU MR. JUNKER!!! WE ALL MISS YOU!! ~*~

by everyone on 10/7/03 at 03:21 PM

Mr Junker was a great guy and he still is because he will always live forever in my heart. I miss him deeply but I know God has a plan for him and all of us so I want to thank everyone for helping all of us to get through this tradgic loss. We love you Bobby!

by on 11/24/03 at 11:06 PM

Bob,
Our family misses you greatly and thinks of you often. I wish you were here so we could debate the NCAA brackets. Please use your influence with "the Big Guy" to make sure Kentucky does not win the title.

With love,
The Pumpple Family
3/18/04

by John Pumpple on 3/18/04 at 8:50 AM

Junkman,
We've been thinking of you often. Our family's thoughts and prayers are with the girls. I know you had something to do with Xavier's run through the A-10 tourney. Keep it going vs. Louisville and beyond.

by Paul Maffey on 3/18/04 at 10:37 AM

Bobby,

You and your family have remained in our thoughts and prayers throughout the year but especially the last few days.

You would be proud to know that we all are continuing to strive to perfect your life lessons.

by Chip on 3/19/04 at 10:57 PM

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