Bob Larkin
I was born in Providence, Rhode Island, USA on May 5, 1947. My family moved to Warwick, RI when I was a year old and I have lived there since. After graduating from Providence College in 1969 I went on active duty as a second lieutenant in the US Army. In September, 1970 I was sent to Vietnam where I was assigned to be the team leader of Mobile Advisory Team 46. On November 17 the jeep I was driving was booby trapped with a hand grenade. The grenade exploded blowing off my right leg below the knee and severely damaging my left leg. After recuperating at Valley Forge General Hospital I went back to RI where I started a family with my wife, Jean, and got a Masters Degree in American History. I began teaching Social Studies in Warwick and raising our three children: Kerri, Ryan and Katie. In 2000 my left leg had to be amputated below the knee and I retired from teaching the following year. I started playing golf after getting home from Valley Forge because the guys I had played baseball with were playing golf. Golf has allowed me to compete with my friends and make many new friends along the way. I have been involved in the local First Swing clinics and participated in several amputee golf tournaments. The highlight for me was qualifying for the Robinson Cup team at Bethpage and then participating in the Cup matches in Austin the following year. At last year’s Nationals in Aurora, Illinois I was extremely honored to receive the National Commander’s Award from the Disabled American Veterans. Playing golf in these tournaments is a source of inspiration and affirmation for me each time I have participated. Even meeting Gary has not curbed my enthusiasm. Thank God, I also met Eleanor. J
