Robert Bartholomew

Robert C. Bartholomew, 84, of Austin, Minnesota, died Monday, September 17, 2012 at his home. He was born October 14, 1927 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Earl and Frances (Fischer) Bartholomew. As a young man Robert attended St. Mark's Catholic School in St. Paul, where he had an opportunity to sing for the Pope, as well as weddings and special events. He was a member of the city and state championship Junior League Baseball team from St. Paul. Robert attended St. Paul High School, where he was an all-conference basketball and baseball player. In 1945, at the age of 17, he signed a professional baseball contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers and was assigned to their minor league affiliate in Zanesville, Ohio. It was during this time that he met and married Elizabeth Malloy in 1948. Also during this time, he served two years of military duty and was stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama and played on the All Military professional baseball team and roomed with lifetime friend "Mr. Dodger", Tommy LaSorda. During his 4 year professional baseball career Robert boasted a .302 batting average as well as many stolen bases andput-outs from his center field position. He played with some of baseball's all-time greats: Jackie Robinson, Duke Snyder, Willie Mays, Satchell Page, MelOtt and many more. Following baseball Robert and Elizabeth decided to raise a family and moved to Austin, Minnesota, where he worked for Scheid Plumbing and Heating and played semi-pro baseball for the Austin Packers for several years. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard Bartholomew, wife Betty, sons Peter and William Bartholomew, sister-in-law Gloria Bartholomew, brother-in-law Jim Kane and nephew Rich Meyer. He is survived by sister Eileen Kane, Barney and Joan Bartholomew, Ginnie Bartholomew, Steven Bartholomew, Joe and Teresa Bartholomew, Fran and Dave Hennen, special friend Pat Stevens, 20 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. A memorial service for Robert Bartholomew will be held from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at the Mayer Funeral Home in Austin, with Father Paul Nelson officiating. Military honors will be conducted at 2:00p.m. at the funeral home by Austin American Legion Post #91. Mayer Funeral Home of Austin is in charge of arrangements.

Service Information