from the USTA Communications Department

Columbus, OH — Robert E. “Bob” Botsch, 81, of Garrisons Lake, south of Smyrna, Del., died Dec. 1, 2014.

Mr. Botsch was born Sept. 11, 1933, the son of the late Edward and Julia Botsch, in Hempstead Hospital, Long Island, N.Y. He and his parents moved to Delaware in 1951. On Jan. 1, 1954, he and Doris Ann Long were married.

Mr. Botsch was in the 14th Combat Engineer Battalion of the United States Army as a medic and served time in Korea during the Korean War in the 1950s. Upon returning home from Korea, he farmed with his father Edward. He continued to farm for his entire life.

He had raised, trained and flown homing racing pigeons since he was 10 years old with his grandfather Charles in New York. He still had the pigeons at the time of his passing. He also enjoyed his Fox Hounds and still talked with his friends about when he hunted.

Mr. Botsch also owned, trained and drove Standardbreds for 57 years and just recently retired from the sport. Lately he just went to the races to see his sons’ racehorse along with several nephews of his Long family.

He is survived by his wife, Doris A.; sons, Gary R. (fiancée Sue and daughter) and Roger E. (Michele) and their daughters, Chelsea and Sydney. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Helen (Wicks) Botsch.

Services and burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are by Faries Funeral Home in Smyrna.

Memorial contributions may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 330, Smyrna, DE 19977.

Condolence letters may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com.