Thank You Bob Clemens!

Bob Clemens, a resident of Yonkers, NY, has been a member in good standing of the Westchester County Baseball Umpires Association since 1971, from 1986 through 2020 Bob served as the Association’s Secretary/Treasurer. In Bob’s years as an active working umpire, he was consistently highly rated and for many years was always assigned to work our Sectional finals. Bob had to stop umpiring in 2000 after suffering a severe leg injury. 

While many men have held various positions on the WCBUA Executive Board, it has always been Bob that has guided the Association for over 35 years with consistency and a dedication to always doing what is best for the WCBUA. Bob always fostered a strong working relationship with Section One Executive Directors and Athletic Directors throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties. A long-time member of various NYSBUA Committees Bob’s dedication to the workings of the NYSBUA have only enhanced and strengthened the day-to-day operations of the WCBUA. Bob was recognized by his peers in 2002 as a recipient of the Anthony Zimbalatti Distinguished Member Award. The WCBUA’s sportsmanship award was named in honor of Bob and for the past four seasons a deserving baseball program in Westchester or Putnam County has been the recipient of the Robert A. Clemens Sportsmanship Award.

Bob has been a long-time member of the Section One / OCF Negotiation’s and Grievance Committee’s. Bob was also a very active member of the Westchester County Football Officials Association, serving as the President of the Association and consistently working games at the Varsity level for over thirty-five years. Bob was also a twenty-five-year member of IAABO Board 52.

Bob worked for over 40 years for the City of Yonkers School District as their Director of Purchasing. A father of four Bob was an active board member of the Little League programs in Yonkers for over 20 years, he trained and assigned the umpires the league used and was able to recruit many of them to join the WCBUA. Bob has led his parish St. Bartholomew’s in Yonkers serving as the parish Deacon for over 50 years. 

I have worked closely with Bob in my 37 years as a member of the WCBUA, I am a two-time President and have taken on the great task of replacing Bob as our association’s Secretary/Treasurer. It was said after the great UCLA basketball coach John Wooden retired, that you don’t want to be the man that has to replace THE MAN. I can attest to that. I have relied on Bob’s expertise and guidance for many years, in the transition to my new position Bob had provided advice and enthusiastic support as our association moves forward. Bob has always been a sounding board, offering sage advice and needed criticism. Bob in his over fifty years of service has embodied the mission of the WCBUA, and he has been the driving force behind the strong bonds of brotherhood that many if us been so grateful to take part in. While Bob’s health issues have forced him to take a step back from the day-to-day leadership of the WCBUA, we on the current Executive Board always ask ourselves “What would Bob do?” before a big decision must be made, often after filling in Bob on how things are going, he will confirm that we made the decision on a pressing issue.

Bob Clemens has been the most vital member of the WCBUA since the day he joined the association in 1971, his leadership, guidance, and laser beam focus on always doing what is right for the WCBUA and the young men we serve has helped our association grow as a strong brotherhood as well as putting umpires on the field that are professional in the way they dress, and the way they perform their duties. The membership of the WCBUA past, present, and future all owe Bob Clemens a huge debt of gratitude. Our association is regarded around the state for accomplishments on and off of the field, mainly due to the efforts of one-man Bob Clemens.

By: Dave Greiner