His name was Robert Spatz but honestly, I wasn’t even sure about his first name. We at the Chicagoland Tournament just called him ‘Pops’.
Sadly, Pops has passed away.
Pops was a perennial participant in the Chicagoland Tournament which his son, Rob Spatz organized. It was fun to watch the interactions between father and son especially when they happen to face off against each other.
Despite the good-natured bickering, you could see the love that was there.
Pops was of the elder generation that attended Chicagoland. Once he had dice and cards in his hands, he was like a kid though. In that photo above, he is excited to show me Hank Aaron’s card (1973, I believe).
Pops Spatz will be missed. Rob, we in the APBA community are all thinking of you. Please express our sympathies to your mom, Kathy and all of the rest of your family. The next Chicagoland won’t be the same.
Pops came to the Toledo tournament a few times with Rob. Always felt blessed for him to be part of the day.
Waited a bit before I replied on this. Pops was an always a kindhearted person, and although I rarely played against him, I spent a lot of time getting to speak with him.
The APBA community lost someone special when he left us.
Rob, not sure if you will be seeing this, but I am praying for your family.