The permanently fit as a fiddle energetic defender was one of the most easily recognisable ‘footies’ for the coastal harbour town of Walvis-Bay. Bobby started playing competitive club football for the childhood team Namib Woestyn at a very young age. 

He was fortunate enough to have played alongside greats such as the late quintet of Daito Hagedoorn, Haban Adams, Axarob Doeseb and the devastating Auchumeb brothers Straal and Selle.  

He started out as a defensive midfielder before he was converted to the centre back position alongside the hard-tackling Lala Lombard and Luka Araseb. A noted hard-tackler and fantastic man-marker, the young defender warmed himself into the hearts of the usually-hard-to-please Desert Camels diehards with his consistent display in the heart of the Camels’ solid defence line.

As an integral squad member of the unplayable Woestyn side of the late 60s and early 70s, Bobby’s name will be engraved in the history of domestic football amongst the game’s trendsetters. 

Bobby has won almost every available silverware there was to be won in the hotly contested knockout cup tournaments across the length and width of the country. 

Unfortunately, tragedy struck when the Desert Camels suffered a devastating heavy blow following the mysterious deaths of the dangerous front three in the shape of Haban Adams, Axarob Doeseb and Straal Auchumeb. 

The team was never the same, as they gravely lacked power in the firing line.

This marked the beginning of an inevitable decline in performance, with some stalwarts having reached the peak of their playing careers. 

Bobby was obligated by circumstances beyond his control to jump the sinking ship, only to wash up next door at bitter rivals Blue Waters Football Club ashore – much to the chagrin of the Camels’ followers.

He played a pivotal part when the Birds won back-to-back Dave’s Furnishers Cup against old foes, the Tigers, on both occasions in 1976 and 1978, respectively. 

A bird of passage, the hard-tackling defender vacated the Birds’ nest only to resurface across town, finding refuge with Portuguese outfit Sparta United Football Club. 

His much-trumpeted arrival at the purple and foam stripe outfit was hailed as a massive milestone. Bobby became amongst the first non-white athletes in Apartheid South West Africa (SWA) to cross the colour line – much to the annoyance of the racist white administration.  

A bird of passage, his next stop was the city of bright lights (Windhoek) after he found employment with Windhoek Machine Fabric. 

He joined forces with local giants Black Africa, where he won several high-profile tournaments before retreating to his native Walvis-Bay.

He briefly played for the Tamariska outfit Celtics FC in Swakopmund.

Upon retiring from playing competitive football, Bobby joined old time campaigners Atlantis Old Boys, where he continued to play in the popular shortened Five-A side games until well into the sunset of his years, 70+, certainly no mean feat.

Bobby, my brother from another mother, you might be gone, reunited with your ancestors, but your legacy and the great memories we shared, socially and otherwise, will remain firmly entrenched in our thoughts. 

You ran a good race until your untimely transition to eternity. 

Until our paths cross again in heaven, with deepest sympathy, Rus saggies ma se kind.

 Your memory lives on in everyone you touched.