Robert Rhode

                1929 - 2000

      Class of 1985     

Competitor, Contributor to the Sport  

   Bob loved every part of archery, the sport, the industry, its history and the people involved. He was a competitive archer who came into prominence in 1954 when he became the first archer in history to win both the U.S. Target and National Field Championships in the same year. In 1955 he attended the World Archery championships in Helsinki, Finland where he finished with the silver medal.

Bob's career in archery began with the Ben Pearson Archery Co. Later he worked with American, Bear, P.S.E. and Hoyt USA where he retired as their senior Vice President. Bob became archery's historian by taking on the task of gathering 150 years worth of historical  information and photographs about the sport. He compiled and published over six volumes on the history of FITA, the NAA, and the NFAA along with three volumes titled "Archery Champions".

• Archery historian

•  Member of 1959 United States Team in World Championships

• 2nd place in 1955 World Championships

• National Archery Association Champion, 1954

•  National Field Archery Association Champion, 1957

• Canadian International Champion, 1958

• Field Archery Champion, 1959

• First President, Professional Archer's Association, 1962

• Author

• Recipient, National Archery Association's Thompson Medal of Honor, 1989