Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Numbers*, Robert "Bob"
Robert "Bob" Numbers*
- Induction:
- 2005
- Class:
- 1950
Considered one of Lehigh’s greatest “two-way” football players in the illustrious history of the program, Bob Numbers excelled on both sides of the ball during his time at Lehigh.
Both a center and a linebacker at Lehigh, Numbers was a three-year starter for the Brown and White. By his senior season, Numbers garnered several prestigious honors for his efforts as the team’s center. He was recognized as an All-East center, an All-Pennsylvania center, and a First-Team Associated Press Little All-American.
Defensively, Numbers was just as impressive. As a linebacker, he led the team in tackles in each of his three seasons. In 1950, Numbers was honored with the team's Pat Pazzetti Award, handed out to the team's most outstanding player during the 1949 campaign.
Following the 1949 season, in which he was a team captain, Numbers was asked to participate in the North-South Shrine Game. Soon thereafter, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Numbers declined those opportunities to pursue his engineering career.
Richard Doyne '51 was a running back on Lehigh’s football team and followed the blocks of Numbers on the gridiron. “Bobby was a really excellent player,” Doyne said. “From his linebacker position on defense he was always in motion and going after the play no matter where it was on the field. I didn't know anyone on the Lehigh campus that didn't like Bobby. He was just a great football player and a terrific person.”
Prior to his enrollment at Lehigh, Numbers served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945. During World War II, Numbers’ squadron was stationed on a torpedo boat in the Mediterranean Sea. Numbers also spent a year at Notre Dame, but decided to transfer to Lehigh.
“I played football just for fun,” Numbers said. “I decided that I wanted to get a real education, so that's why I made the decision to enroll at Lehigh.”
Numbers graduated from Lehigh with a degree in civil engineering in 1950. Initially employed by H.E. Stoudt & Son General Contractors, Numbers was the superintendent of many construction projects in Lehigh Valley, including the McClintic-Marshall dormitory on Lehigh’s campus. He later worked for the Lehigh University Physical Plant from 1960 through 1976. After working for St. Luke's Hospital for over six years as an engineer, Numbers retired in 1989.
A native of nearby Allentown, Pennsylvania, Bob Numbers lived in Allentown with his wife, Cynthia, until his death at age 87 in October 2011. Bob and Cynthia had four children, Susan, Thomas, Barbara and William.
Both a center and a linebacker at Lehigh, Numbers was a three-year starter for the Brown and White. By his senior season, Numbers garnered several prestigious honors for his efforts as the team’s center. He was recognized as an All-East center, an All-Pennsylvania center, and a First-Team Associated Press Little All-American.
Defensively, Numbers was just as impressive. As a linebacker, he led the team in tackles in each of his three seasons. In 1950, Numbers was honored with the team's Pat Pazzetti Award, handed out to the team's most outstanding player during the 1949 campaign.
Following the 1949 season, in which he was a team captain, Numbers was asked to participate in the North-South Shrine Game. Soon thereafter, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, Numbers declined those opportunities to pursue his engineering career.
Richard Doyne '51 was a running back on Lehigh’s football team and followed the blocks of Numbers on the gridiron. “Bobby was a really excellent player,” Doyne said. “From his linebacker position on defense he was always in motion and going after the play no matter where it was on the field. I didn't know anyone on the Lehigh campus that didn't like Bobby. He was just a great football player and a terrific person.”
Prior to his enrollment at Lehigh, Numbers served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1945. During World War II, Numbers’ squadron was stationed on a torpedo boat in the Mediterranean Sea. Numbers also spent a year at Notre Dame, but decided to transfer to Lehigh.
“I played football just for fun,” Numbers said. “I decided that I wanted to get a real education, so that's why I made the decision to enroll at Lehigh.”
Numbers graduated from Lehigh with a degree in civil engineering in 1950. Initially employed by H.E. Stoudt & Son General Contractors, Numbers was the superintendent of many construction projects in Lehigh Valley, including the McClintic-Marshall dormitory on Lehigh’s campus. He later worked for the Lehigh University Physical Plant from 1960 through 1976. After working for St. Luke's Hospital for over six years as an engineer, Numbers retired in 1989.
A native of nearby Allentown, Pennsylvania, Bob Numbers lived in Allentown with his wife, Cynthia, until his death at age 87 in October 2011. Bob and Cynthia had four children, Susan, Thomas, Barbara and William.
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