Bob Dinkelman started playing CYO ball for St. Pascal’s in the 1960s with the ’69ers. They played at North side, Shabbona, Dunham, Riis and Portage parks. In 1970, they combined with Active Screw to form the Lyon 45s, playing at Portage, Evanston and Clarendon parks, becoming one of the North side powers in the game. Bob returned from the military in 1971 to play left field and to bat third for the 45s. Soon after learning to dump the ball, he became their leadoff hitter. Like many good players, other teams noticed his talent and asked him to play. In 1976 he played for American Rivet in the ASA Nationals in St. Louis. The team finished second, and Bob was named to the All Tournament Team. When the 45s disbanded in 1977, Bob, Rich Knorowski, Jim Fuller, Mike Levar, and Eddie Shaffer joined American Rivet. Bob played left field and batted leadoff for them for three years. In 1982, Bob and Rich Knorowski got together to form the Bally 45’s to compete in the newly formed Majors in Mt. Prospect, and at Portage Park. He played with them until 1986. During that time, they won a division title at Mt. Prospect, won the Chicago Metro title, and placed 4th in the USSSA Nationals. They also won the Early Bird Tournament in Trevor, Wisconsin. In 1986 he played for Tom Levar in the Ed Kelly Tournament at River Park where he batted twenty for twenty-one, and won co- MVP honors. Besides having a good softball career, Bob had a distinguished football career at Schurz High School in Chicago. In 1965 and 1966, he was named as an Illinois All-State Halfback, and won the Knute Rockne Award in 1966 as the best Chicago high school football player. He also took second place in Chicago for wrestling and played baseball at Schurz. His accomplishments earned a scholarship to the University of Illinois, where he played football for two and a half years. Bob and his wife, Lori, have three children, Jacob Aaron, Sophie Ann, and Sarah Rose, and have one grandchild, Aiden Jacob. He is recently retired, after driving locally and over-the-road for over thirty years. Bob and Lori currently reside on their 35-acre farm in Plymouth, Wisconsin with their two daughters, Sophie and Sarah, and grandson, Aiden.
