BOB PENCE, Lafayette, Indiana

Inducted 1969

Organizer: Bob Pence was seemingly born possessed with an undying love for the game of horseshoes. He was an incredible promoter of the sport, a prolific writer of horseshoe pitching articles, and traveled thousands of miles each year in his efforts to boost his favorite sport. Bob was a good pitcher, with better than a 70% ringer average and joined the NHPA in 1929.

Bob was Secretary of the Indiana Association for five or six years before being elected Secretary-Treasurer of the National Association in 1958, a position he held for 24 years. Under his administration several improvements were implemented: Classes C & D were added to the Men’s division, the Women’s division was expanded to include B & C, a Junior Girls division was begun in 1967, the Senior Men’s division was implemented as well as the Intermediate Men’s division. The World Tournament was rotated around the country to help in recruiting more new members. He initiated Game Related Sales which the NHPA benefited from with increased revenue. He also instituted championship patches and recognition awards and the NHPA Hall of Fame was established in 1965 with his guidance. Bob Pence was awarded the Arch Stokes Memorial Award in 1961. Bob Pence passed away May 18, 2002.