Bob Marendt, Jr.

Robert “Bob” P. Marendt, Jr died November 25, 2022 at Kline Hospice House in Frederick County surrounded by his family. Bob was 92. He was born December 3, 1929 in Frederick, MD to the late Robert P. Marendt, Sr and Ella Mae (Milyard) Marendt.

Bob was a 1947 graduate of Frederick High school where he excelled in baseball, basketball, football, and track. Following high school, Bob played minor league baseball in Georgia. He graduated from University of Maryland in 1953 where he played college basketball. In 1954 Bob entered the United States Air Force. He was stationed overseas for 20 months during active duty and served reserve duty in Martinsburg, WV. Bob ultimately retired Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of active and reserve duty.

Returning to Frederick in 1956, Bob met and married Pauline Martz Hoffman, of Frederick. Together they raised two daughters and were happily married for 66 years. Bob and Pauline travelled frequently, they especially enjoyed Europe and Caribbean islands.

Bob purchased Shipley’s Inc. Sporting Goods and Electronics in 1958, which he owned and operated until 1999. Over the years, he expanded retail locations into Hagerstown and Cumberland. The business was considered one of the largest sporting goods operations in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 1989 Bob was awarded Outstanding Individual for Contributions to the Sporting Goods Industry in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

Bob was active in civic and community organizations: VFW Post #3285, American Legion Post #11, Frederick Optimist Club, Downtown Frederick Merchants Association, and Clover Hill Civic Association. Bob’s love of athletics spilled over into other community activities: YMCA Board of Directors, Babe Ruth Baseball League, Frederick City Softball League, Shipleys Frederick Open Tennis Tournament, Jack Griffin’s Frederick Track and Field Club, Frederick Touchdown Club, Mc Curdy Field Fund Raising Committee, Maryland Sporting Goods Association, Frederick City Recreation Commission, Frederick Hustler’s Semi-Pro Baseball Club, Ijamsville Baseball, and Frederick VFW Semi-Pro Football Team. In 1983 Bob was inducted into the Frederick County YMCA Hall of Fame.

In recent years Bob volunteered with Frederick Community Action’s Food Bank, Soup Kitchen, and Cold Weather Shelter. Bob was very devoted to his church, and he was a lifelong member of Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ.

Bob is survived by his wife, Pauline H. Marendt, daughters Susan Johnson and Libby Cleaveland and husband Brad, step-daughter Sandra Murphy and husband Dennis, 3 granddaughters, Amanda Butler and husband Tim, Brittany Raymor and husband Cody and Jennifer Johnson and husband Omar Hernandez, step grandchildren John Murphy and wife Karla and Erin Long and husband John, and 3 great grandchildren. He is pre-deceased by his dear sister Betty Jane McClellan and husband Dr. James McClellan, and also by his stepson Dennis Hoffman. Bob is also survived by his dear friends Don Moran and Dean Dahms.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Noon at Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ at 15 W Church St, Frederick, MD 21701. Friends and family will be welcomed at the church social hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, 15 W Church St, Frederick, MD 21701.