Babe Ruth League Lost a Team of Legends
The Greats Who Passed in 2024-2025

ILM2

2024-2025 have been difficult years of loss in every corner of the Babe Ruth League world. The icons who have passed had a depth of talent and dedication second to none. 

CHARLES DECHRISTOPHER
Charles De Christopher

Charles DeChristopher passed away on January 30, 2025, at the age of 57. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, he was a man who lived with passion—especially when it came to his family, baseball, and Philadelphia sports.

Born on March 23, 1967, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Charles was a lifelong Phillies and Eagles fan, cheering for his teams through every season’s highs and lows. But his love for baseball extended beyond just being a fan—he dedicated over a decade to the Cherry Hill National Babe Ruth League, first as a coach and later as the organization’s League President. He poured his heart into helping young athletes grow, both on and off the field, leaving an impact on countless families in the community.

Above all, Charles was a family man. He cherished every moment spent with his loved ones, especially his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. Whether sharing stories, attending their activities, or enjoying time together, he ensured they knew how deeply they were loved.

Charles will be deeply missed but never forgotten—his spirit will live on in every crack of the bat, every child who takes the field, every moment spent with family, and every cheer for the Phillies and Eagles.

ROBERT R. "BOB" DICKSON
Bob Dickson

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert R. “Bob” Dickson of Alexandria, Indiana, age 90, on January 31, 2025, following a sudden illness.  Bob was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose warm spirit touched the lives of so many.

Bob graduated from Fairview High School in 1952 before pursuing higher education at Ball State University, where he graduated in 1958. On May 28, 1967, Bob married the love of his life, Marge (Pollitt) Dickson, sharing a beautiful partnership that lasted for 57 wonderful years.  They were the proud parents of daughter Patricia and son James, and devoted grandparents to Andrew and Stella Dickson, Madi Niswonger, and David Novak.

Bob had a profound sense of duty and honor, proudly serving in the United States Army.  His commitment to service extended into his career and community involvement. Bob dedicated many years to the Alexandria-Monroe School Corporation as a teacher, Athletic Director, and coach, inspiring countless young athletes through his passion for sports. His love for writing was evident in his tenure as a sportswriter for the Alexandria Times-Tribune, where his column, “Dixie Quotes,” became a staple in the community from 1958 to 1967 and from 1993 to 2009.

In the world of youth baseball, Bob’s impact was profound. He dedicated over 60 years to Babe Ruth League, Inc. as a local League President, District, Area, and Assistant Regional Commissioner. He was elected to the Babe Ruth League International Board of Directors in 1981 where he served as Ohio Valley Regional Commissioner for 27 years, and then as an At-Large Member.  He chaired several Board Committees, including the Rules, Constitution & By-Laws, Finance, Planning, Audit, and Executive Committees.  In addition, he volunteered to work on many Babe Ruth World Series Task Forces and as a World Series Director.

Bob was inducted into the International Babe Ruth League Hall of Fame in 2011. Other accolades included earning the honorary title of the Sagamore of the Wabash and Kentucky Colonel for his distinguished service, and most recently, being honored as the first-ever Board Member Emeritus in Babe Ruth history, as a testimony to his unwavering dedication and passionate leadership.

An active member of his community, Bob was involved with several organizations, including the First Christian Church in Alexandria, Lambda Chi Fraternity, Elks Lodge #478, Eagle Lodge Aeries 1771, and the American Legion. He devoted countless hours volunteering at the Community Hospital and with the Indiana State Hospital Auxiliary, where his leadership shone through as the Eastern Area Regional Chair and a state officer.

Though he has stepped off the field, Bob leaves behind an admirable legacy that will live on in every volunteer and child involved with the Babe Ruth League program.

BOB KUHTA
Bob Kuhta

Bob Kuhta, 84, passed away on January 12, 2024, in Kennewick, Washington.  He was born on November 28, 1939, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, lived in Salt Lake City, Utah, and then moved to Palo Alto, California when he was twelve. Bob graduated from Palo Alto High School and played two years of baseball for Menlo College, transferring to Washington State University in 1959 where he met the love of his life, Karen Jo Miller. Bob and Karen were longtime residents of Prosser, Washington, before moving to Richland, Washington in 2014.

Graduating from Washington State University in 1962 with a degree in Civil Engineering, Bob and Karen were married in Prosser in 1963 and welcomed their first child in 1964. After numerous transfers and the birth of two more sons, the couple moved from Mica Creek, British Columbia, Canada to settle down in Prosser in 1969.

Bob started his career with Guy F. Atkinson Construction before joining the Benton County Washington planning department as an Engineer/Planner. In the 1980s, he went to work on the Hanford Reservation as an Engineering Manager at N-Reactor and K-East/K-West. In retirement Bob certified as an agent for Medicare insurance policies, helping numerous friends and neighbors navigate their choices for over a decade.

In addition to his love for Karen, Bob's second great passion was Babe Ruth Baseball. He was a volunteer coach and umpire, and served as League President, District, State and Assistant Regional commissioner for Babe Ruth League for over 30 years.

In recognition for his years of dedicated service to Babe Ruth League, Bob was inducted into the South Washington Babe Ruth League Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Pacific Northwest Babe Ruth League Roll of Honor in 2012.

Bob was also active in his community throughout his life, as a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 643, a volunteer for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Committee, and a keen supporter of cross country, wrestling, basketball, and other youth activities.

In later years Bob was a long-suffering Mariners fan, he loved camping and fishing with his family, travelling with Karen, playing craps and blackjack, following Gonzaga basketball, and reading John Grisham novels.

TERRY MC COLLOUGH
Terry Mc Collough

Terry L. McCollough, 76, of Lake Jackson, Texas, passed away on February 20, 2024, after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis.

Terry was born in Elkhart, Indiana. Terry played basketball like most boys in the Hoosier State of Indiana. Terry attended Hiram Scott College in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. He met and married Joann (Jody) Wilson on February 12, 1970. He earned a degree in education but started a career in construction.

Terry and Jody moved to Lake Jackson in 1977. In 1985, Terry began his career with BASF as a Project Manager until he retired in 2011.

In his spare time, when he wasn't coaching his son Matthew in sports, Terry enjoyed playing tennis and golf.

Terry was involved with Babe Ruth League for 30 years and served as East Texas State Commissioner for 25 years. He was inducted into the Babe Ruth Hall of Fame for the Southwest region in 2013. Terry was proud to have his son and grandson continue on his Babe Ruth legacy.

GORD WELBOURNE
Gord Welbourne

Gord Welbourne of Surrey, British Columbia, passed away on December 27, 2024.  He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, coach, mentor, and dear friend to so many.

Gord and his wife, Carol, raised their son and two daughters in Coquitlam, British Columbia.  When Gord retired from the Workers' Compensation Board (aka Worksafe BC) after a 35-year career, they made Surrey their home, where they lived until three years ago when they moved to The Wexford in Tsawwassen.

An avid fisherman most of his life, Gord was also an athlete and known in his youth as "Bones" to his teammates. Over many decades, he played and coached soccer, softball and baseball.

Gord began his affiliation with the Babe Ruth program in 1968, serving at the local league level as a manager, coach, umpire-in-chief, and League President.  After leaving the local league level, he went on to serve as British Columbia Babe Ruth Assistant Provincial Commissioner and then as Provincial Commissioner.  Gord was elected Pacific Northwest Regional Commissioner in 2001, which included a role as a Board Member of Babe Ruth League, Inc.

He was presented with the Provincial Babe Ruth Roll of Honor and later was inducted into the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame.  He was inducted into the prestigious Babe Ruth League, Inc. Hall of Fame in 2012.

RON ZIMMERMAN
Ron Zimmerman

Ronald George Zimmerman, 74, of Drums, Pennsylvania passed on January 13, 2025, at his residence in following a three-year illness.

Born August 31, 1950, Ron was a resident of Drums his entire life.  He enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors.

Ron was a graduate of Hazleton Area High School class of 1968, where he lettered in the wrestling program.  He was also a graduate of DeVry Computer Education Institute, Philadelphia; class of 1969.

Ron entered the United States Marine Corps in September of 1969.  After graduating from boot camp and from the Electronics A School, Jacksonville, Florida; he served on numerous Marine Corps and Naval Air Stations within the United States, including Hawaii, and in the Asian Theater of Operations which included Japan, Okinawa, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, South Viet Nam, along with a few locations that “he wasn’t there.” Eventually, he served in all three Marine Air Wings Groups and all four Marine Divisions, during eight-plus years of active-duty service.

Ron transferred to Marine Reserve Motor Transport Unit WTS 47, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, and served an additional 15 years with the unit as a Motor Transport Maintenance Chief, Senior Military Instructor, and NBC Advanced Warfare Specialist, retiring as a Master Sergeant E-8 in 1990.  He was awarded numerous medals: the Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, National Defense Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal with one Bronze Star, Marine Corps Good Conduct with one Bronze Star, Marine Corps Reserve Good Conduct with two Bronze Stars, 15 year Honorable Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. and also became one of the few Marines to qualify as an Expert Rifle and Pistol shooter both right and left-handed.

Ronald was employed by PPL as a Transformer Repair Technician from 1978 to 1984, and a Fire Protection Specialist from 1984 until his retirement in 2009.  He also served as a Certified Red Cross First Aid Instructor in CPR for the company.

Ron spent 30+ years coaching for the Valley Babe Ruth League. His teams captured numerous Division, League, and District Titles during his coaching tenure. He also served as Valley Babe Ruth League President for 14 years, Pennsylvania Assistant District 4 Commissioner for six years, and was elected the Pennsylvania State Commissioner in 1998, serving in this capacity until 2019.

Ron also served nine years as Chairperson of the Board and President of Butler Township Athletic Association, served on the Board of Directors of the Butler Township Recreation Authority for eight years, was Chairperson of the Butler Township Festival for six years, and served as an EMT for six years with the Butler Township Ambulance service.

He was an active member of the Butler Township American Legion Post 795, having served as Post Adjutant, Financial Officer, Sgt-at-Arms, and Athletic Officer.   Ron was a member of the Babe Ruth Alumni Association and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in 2007.