Robert Welch

Robert "Bob" R. Welch, 84, (May 23, 1929 to Feb 28, 2014) passed away after a brief illness at his Tampa FL villa attended by his horse racing friend and neighbor, Frances L. Schaffer. Bob is survived by a first cousin, Mary I. Saurborn, of Lake City, PA. Son of Howard and Esther Welch, Wanamassa, NJ, Bob graduated from Asbury Park High School where he enjoyed playing basketball under coach "Chippy" Coleman. After attending Georgetown he transferred and received his BS from Colgate University. Bob spent more than 40 years overseas as Regional Claim Manager for AIG in Saigon, Beirut and Nairobi, retiring to his hometown in 1999. Bob lived close to his beloved Monmouth Park Race Track. Bob was an avid horse racing fan who could be seen daily at Monmouth Park. At his zenith, Bob joined with Mike Giorgio to form the Welch-Giorgio Stables partnership. One racing highlight came August 24, 2010 when their horse "My Wife Knows Everything" won the 7th race, just beating a horse called "The Wife Doesn't Know". This thrilling race became famous worldwide. The then Monmouth Park announcer, Larry Collmus, made a dream call. The race and Larry's famous call are legendary.

Bob will be missed by his many friends worldwide, too many to list here. However, extra special thanks must be given his nurse, Annie Luke, who painstakingly nursed Bob back from several near fatal illnesses during his late retirement years.

Burial will be at an Erie, PA cemetery where his mother is buried. Burial arrangements are being handled by Scott's Funeral Home (814) 452-4900. Interested parties can contact the funeral home for interment details.