Robert "Bob" Lida

Heather & Family, please accept my condolences on the loss of your dad and my first boss, Bob Lida. I have nothing but wonderful memories.

Fair winds and following seas sailor. “Boatswain… Standby to pipe the side… Shipmate’s going Ashore…” Thank you for your service to this nation.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mack enjoyed rooming with Bob during track meets both in the states and abroad.

My Dad, Don Brinton and family share in your grief over the loss of an amazing man. Dad is 90 years old and living at the Oxford Grand and wishes like you he had another chance to visit with him. What’s wonderful legacy he left for you all. Please know we are thinking of you all and wish we could be on the track, but will be with you in our thoughts and we’ll wishes.

My colleagues and me are honoured to pay this tribute to a great guy and fine Athlete. I first met Bob in Riccione, Italy in 2007 for the World Masters Championships, when we had both entered into our new age group of M70, but his reputation had preceded him and I really looked forward to racing against him as one does to exceptional peers. At that meeting through first rounds, semi finals and finals over 3 distances I think we raced at least 6 times maybe 8, not sure, along with my two GB friends, and all we saw was the back of his vest, as did everyone, such was his dominance of his events, but we struck up a friendship having a mutual love of Masters Athletics and the worldwide friendship it brings. My next encounter was in a town called Clermont, in central France 6 months later, for the World indoor Masters Athletics Championships and again we raced roughly the same number of times with always the same result, but this time he pulled me to my first individual World Medal, a bronze in the 200m, having just missed out on a medal (4th place ) in the 60m. I thought to myself, if I am ever going to beat this very likeable American, is if he breaks a leg or some thing, the very next day in the final of the 400m, when comfortably in the lead he had to pull out with what I believe was a thigh strain, so my claim to fame is that I beat Bob Lida in a race we both started, and because of his retirement from that race I won my second medal of the Championships. I just hope my inner thoughts had no effect on his injury. We all realised that Bob was someone socially very special and a magnificent Athlete and I in particular realised if I ever wanted to progress to the major spot on the podium in my age group perhaps I should try something that Bob did not participate in, so I decided to pick up long Hurdling again. 5 years later in Brazil we met up once more for our customary round of races in the sprints and everyone agreed whoever got second place behind Bob would make a final, and I just missed a medal (4th again) in the 100m which Bob won with ease, but pleased that I managed another Bronze in the 200m Final. How ever as I said, taking up Long Hurdles again, I managed to win Gold in the M75 300m Hurdles, so really I had to thank Bob for that success and recall mentioning to him at our 200m presentation. We all raced again in the M80’s in Malaga, Spain, same thing, Bob as usual being just majestic in the execution of all his races, us GB guys were not quite on form on this occasion, reaching finals but no podium in the sprints, I did manage to win my Hurdles race again… thanks to Bob. So as you can tell , we all raced against Bob many, many times over the years and I know I speak for all of us who new him and was pleased to call him a friend when I say he will be greatly missed when these Championships resume in the future. Bob was immensely popular with Athletes from all around the world, I know I have seen it, he was much admired and held in high esteem, particularly by me, I was looking forward to meeting up again in the now cancelled Toronto Championships this summer, I shall miss his American dry sense of humour his graceful athleticism, great personality and of course the back of his vest, but most of all the privilege of racing against him and calling him a friend. I can see from the face book how popular he was and know he will be sadly missed by all at Kapaun,Mt.Carmel High, and not least by his family, there must be a very big void in their lives My friends and me send our deepest sympathy and condolences to them. ~ Alan Carter, Tony Bowman, Colin Field, Roger Bruck

This must be so difficult for you. I hope that you have found comfort in the remembrances shared by so many. Bob and I had several road trips together for Masters Meets. He introduced Me to Masters Track when i was 52 and he was 64. I thought I was going to die during our first workout together of indoor 200s at Henry Levitt. But, he was so gracious, patient, understanding and encouraging. About 10 years ago we were placed in the same heat of the 200 at the Senior Games in Topeka, Lanes 3 & 4. I was a couple strides ahead and for some reason thought it would be cool to tie with Bob Lida. He came up to me afterward and said, “You pulled up, didn’t you?” I said Yes and he cocked his head and have that kind if half smile and tightened one cheek and with an intensity i shall always remember said, “Never do that again. You run to win!” I loved this guy. You guys were great daughters and a great son. He mentioned you often. Particularly you, Jordan.