Robert Stanley Beeks Sr.

Robert Stanley (Bob) Beeks Sr. was one of five children born to the union of Virgie Lee and Lewis Beeks. Bob was a strong and active child who attended Divoll and Banneker Elementry Schools. His life blossomed when he began Vashon High School. Bob was a standout athlete in several sports and revered throughout the City of St. Louis. In 1945 he earned a scholarship to Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo. While at Lincoln, Bob became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and continued his excellence in sports, playing football and basketball, alongside his big brother Earl. During his collegiate career, he met the love of his life, Gladys Simmons of Chicago, IL. Bob and Gladys had five loving children, Joshua, Stanley, Robert Jr., Mark and Irene.
Bob left Lincoln University to take care of his family. He began playing professional basketball for the Harlem Broadway Clowns, based in Chicago, setting the stage for the Harlem Globetrotters. Bob and Gladys relocated to St. Louis to raise their family. He worked for both Scullin Steel Co. and the St. Louis Recreation Division, and eventually began working for the St. Louis Police Department where he rose to the rank of Sargent. When Bob worked in the recreation department, he also was a referee for high school football and basketball. He perfected those skills and moved up to referee on the collegiate level. Bob was recruited by the National Football League in 1968 while officating in the Mid- Atlantic Conference. He joyfully accepted and made history. Bob was the second black referee in professional football and the first in the National Football League. As a sharp no-nonsense line judge, his reputation grew. During his NFL career, Bob officated five (5) Super Bowls.

In the free time he could find between raising a family and working, Bob acquired a passion for golf. Weather permitting, you could always find him on the golf greens, again with his brother Earl. Bob enjoyed his retirement with a mixture of family, golf, swimming and socializing with long time friends.

Bob’s wife Gladys, his sister Helen and his brother Virgil preceded him in death. He will be greatly missed by all.