Photo Courtesy of Siemen Family

CHESTERTOWN, Md. -- Robert F. “Bob” Siemen, whose association with University of Delaware athletics department as an athlete, coach, adminstrator, and fan spanned nearly 70 years, passed away on April 18 at his home at Heron Point. He was 87.

Memorial services were held on April 22 at Wesley Hall Heron Point and at the Delaware Veterans Cemetery in Bear, Del.

Born in 1921 in Philadelphia, Siemen (at right) graduated from Wilmington (Del.) High School in 1939 and earned his degree from the University of Delaware in 1943 where he participated in the ROTC program. He later earned master’s degrees in economics and business administration from the University. He served as a paratrooper in World War II and later served 28 years as a reservist before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

A standout athlete for the Blue Hens, Siemen competed in soccer, basketball, tennis, and track and field during his playing career. He lettered twice in soccer and served as team captain in 1942 when the team captured the Mason-Dixon Conference title. He also lettered for the basketball team in 1943-44, lettered twice in tennis in 1942-43, and also competed for the outdoor track & field team.

He later joined the University of Delaware athletics department and served as assistant athletic director under director Dave Nelson for nine years in 1946-55. In addition to his administrative duties, he served as Blue Hen baseball head coach for three seasons, leading the squad to a mark of 29-32-2 in 1953-55, served as head men’s tennis coach in 1951-52, and also was freshman and junior varsity men’s basketball coach and men’s outdoor track and field assistant coach.

Following his tenure at Delaware, he began a career with DuPont as an employment supervisor and worked from 1955 until his retirement in 1982. He stayed active with the University of Delaware and Blue Hens athletics, serving as President of the UD Alumni Association, President of the Newark Touchdown Club, serving as a track and field official with the Delaware Sports Club, and assisting as a public address announcer spotter in the press box at Delaware football games for 15 years until 2003.

In addition to his wife, Florence, he is survived by his son James Siemen and his wife Mary of Chestertown, Md., a daughter, Patricia Siemen Anderson and her husband John of Chicago, Ill., four grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Contributions may be made to the Fred Emmerson/ Bob Siemen Basketball Scholarship, c/o Department of Athletics, Bob Carpenter Center, 631 South College Ave., Newark, DE 19716.