Robert E. Kirkhoff
December 18, 1934 ~ February 22, 2019
Robert E. Kirkhoff, 84, lifelong Indianapolis resident, passed away February 22, 2019. Bob was born in Indianapolis December 18, 1934, to the late Edward and Rose (McHugh) Kirkhoff.
He graduated from St. Philip Neri in 1949. He was a 1953 graduate of Cathedral High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. He went on to St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas and played basketball and baseball. He served in the United States Army from 1956-58.
He married the love of his life, Susann Eckstein, on June 20, 1959. They were married 53 years, and she predeceased in 2012.
Bob was an insurance salesman for Metropolitan Life Insurance, before retiring in 1990.
Bob and Susie joined St. Jude Catholic Church in 1960. He was very active at St. Jude, serving as the Athletic Director and as a lay minister. As a CYO basketball coach, his teams won four Archdiocesan CYO championships. He was a recipient of the Monsignor Busald and St. John Bosco awards from the CYO. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 3660.
He was the head girls basketball coach at Roncalli High School from 1981-2001. While the coach at Roncalli, he won 324 games, including 8 Sectionals, 4 Regionals, 1 Semi State, and 9 City Championships. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. He was also an associate director of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Susann, his parents, brothers-in-law, Fritz Leucht and Tom Eckstein, and a grandson, Nicholas.
Survivors include five children, Mike, Marni (Steve) Fey, Jeff (Tina), Kevin (Julie), Mark (Teresa); sister, Joan Leucht; brother, Rev. Gerald Kirkhoff; 13 grandchildren, Patrick (Brandi), Maryann, Bradley, David (Kendra), Christopher, Kellie, Andrew, Joe, Lauren, Kasey, Aly, Sydney, and Aubrey; great granddaughter, Grace; sister-in-law, Karen (Mike) Evans.
Visitation will be on Thursday, February 28, 2019, 4 to 8 p.m., in St. Jude Catholic Church and from 9:30 – 11 a.m., Friday, March 1, 2019, at the church. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, at St. Jude. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to Catholic Youth Organization, Roncalli High School or to St. Jude Catholic Church. Envelopes will be provided. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Daniel F. O’Riley Funeral Home. Visit www.ORileyFuneralHome.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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So very sorry for your loss. We loved Bob and Susie. They were both very special individuals, such caring people. Know that we care deeply and we pray for your family.
I’m so sorry to hear of Bob’s passing and so glad that I got my hug from him just about 3 weeks ago at a high school girl’s bb game, of course. I have known Mr. Kirkhoff for 62 years. My sister and I fought over which one of us was going to marry him. I’m pretty sure Marni knows this story but don’t think the boys do. He was my Mom’s insurance man and collected at our house every Monday. Linda and I loved him and begged him to marry us because, after all he had been named by the Star as the “most look alike to Dr. Ben Casey” which was on tv at that time and he was gorgeous but Mr Kirkhoff was more gorgeous and always hugged us. As we grew older we lost touch with him. So I grew up and married and when my kids started little league at Southport there he was, coaching. My son Scott was same age as Mark. He made sure I met Susie and didn’t still have any ideas of marrying him. I fell in love with his entire family and always looked forward to seeing him at bb games. I have granddaughters playing at Perry and have known several players from Roncalli so have always followed them. He coached Roncalli when my daughter played at Southport and would always ask if Susan had any quarters left to play against him. He will be missed by so many. Judy Hendrick Larsen (Scott, Susan and Craig)
My thoughts and prayers are with the Kirkhoff family. Bob had a profound influence on my life and was a long time family friend. I have fond memories of him playing slow pitch softball at St. Jude with my Dad. He was a really good player. He took a chance on me by putting me on the St. Jude 8th grade basketball team although I’m still not sure why as I had no skills just hustle. Throughout my life whenever I ran into him he always asked about my family and how I was doing. He was a great influence on so many young people over the years and I think that ultimately is his legacy. A great person who was loved and will be missed. Bill Schubach
I loved Coach Kirkoff. Bob was a joy to watch in action. Both my boys were blessed to play and have the Coaches influence in. Their young youth. Always have the memories of Edgewood ⚾/ softball fields. Dear Coach be with Susie . Our love and prayers go out to the Kirkoff family . ߒܰߒܰߒœThe Rhinehart
Howard and I knew Bob for many years. He was always so respectful of Howard’s coaching abilities with kind words. He also constantly complimented our daughter, Kelli, on her knowledge and skills of basketball. These past few years whenever we saw Bob he’d say, (with a big smile on his face) “Is Kelli coaching yet?” Thanks Coach K. for all of your encouraging words for the Ely family over the years! Howard and Cindy Ely and family
My family has know Bob all our lives. He was our Insurance man. And came by every week.. he was the best looking man we ever saw. He was so good to all of us… and looked at him like he was family…. My sister and her husband saw him in church every Sunday and once a month we all met at the K of C for breakfast.. and shared lots of great stories… he will be missed.. Toni and Brenda Hampton
Deepest heartfelt condolences to the Kirkhoff family. Growing up on the Southside, playing sports in the Catholic community, everyone witnessed the grace and compassion Bob demonstrated as a coach. He was truly a legend and a winner. I have fond memories of Bob and Susie, and they were dear friends with so many of our families. I always enjoyed seeing Coach K at various events because he was so warm, kind and thoughtful. Bob and Susie raised a wonderful family, whom I consider dear friends. God Bless you Coach. Have a heavenly toast with Jim and Nancy and the gang, and give them our best!
toni and Brenda, this is Judy Statzer, I wrote below as Judy Henrick Larsen. Bob must have collected insurance throughout our neigborhood. He collected on Mondays from us and I thought we were the only ones. Small world. May see you at viewing.
My heartfelt condolences to the Kirkhoff family. I had so much respect for Mr. Kirkhoff. He was one of my fathers favorite and best friends. He was wonderful man. I was his Insurance agent for 27+ years(my father before me). Great friend and client. I enjoyed our conversations. He will be missed by so many people for so many reason. Respectfully, Kevin J Kervan
As a seventh grader, I played on Bob’s first team at St. Jude in 1964. I was 12 and he was 29. That season we placed second in the Sacred Heart Holiday Tournament for St. Jude’s first trophy in any sport. The next season we again placed second at Sacred Heart and won St. Jude’s first Deanery Tournament. Over the last 54 plus years I ran into Bob occasionally and we always talked about those first two teams. I think he remembered every game. I’ll miss running into him. He was a good coach, good teacher and good friend. Rest in Peace Coach K. Tim O’Brien ‘66
Bob Kirkhoff was and is a special person to all who met him. Humble, talented, and devoted to young people, he always gave more than he received. His devotion to his wife was evident to those that knew him. We should follow his lead in treating those we engage with daily: they were first; he was second!
To Mike, Marni, Jeff, Kevin and Mark and your families – – Your father was a very unique man in that he possessed ALL the finest qualities anyone could ever hope to receive from God. How very blest all of you were to have had such wonderful, loving parents. You shared them with the entire Southside, and for that, we humbly thank you. Our lives are richer for having known them and oh how we enjoyed them. Hugs and prayers, Marianne SCHAFER Ries
Bob became a legendary coach after he had coached myself, my brothers and other boys at St. CAtherine s. After that he became enlightened and started coaching girls…..and very successful…..good memories of him and Suzie…condolences.
I am so sorry to hear of the death of Robert. The passing away of a loved one is always with much sorrow. May we have faith and confidence in the Bible’s promise of a time when pain, sickness and death are a thing of the past (Revelation 21:3, 4). My condolences are with the family at this difficult time.
Mike, I can’t adequately express how sorry I am for your loss. Saying goodbye to a parent is a very sad thing. I hope you find comfort that death never completely separates us from the mom and dad, who loved and nurtured us throughout our whole lives. It’s never goodbye, but more like I’ll see you later. Peace to you and your family, my friend, Margie Besse
When we were young I loved competing with B0b. As we grew up, we coached against each other in the 8th grade level. Heaven will have to put him on their coaching staff. Wally Cox
I was so sorry to hear of Coach K’s passing! He had an influence on my youth through Roncalli & Garfield Girls Basketball and was an example for all in the way he loved and welcomed everyone he came into contact with! I know he had a seat at the big table when he closed his earthly eyes in death and wakened them to his Heavenly Father! Prayers for the entire Kirkhoff family at this time of loss!