Bob Maxey has been a fixture in All-round meets, highland games, powerlifting meets, and strongman meets in the area for years now. This past fall, we lost our friend Bob unexpectedly, but he will not be forgotten. Bob was always around to tell a story, tease you, push you to new limits, or just plain call you a pussy if that is what you needed. Bob was the kind of guy who would not pull any punches. The second time I saw Maxey, he came up to me and told me that he remembered me from a highland games that me and my now ex-wife had competed at. I told him that yes, in fact we had been there. His next words were, "She's better than you at the heavy games." Thanks for noticing Bob. He was also a fixture in Al's Dino Gym where he created many memories with his training partners and buddies. I am just glad I had one more chance to lift with Bob this past summer. Here are some memories that people have shared about Bob, in his memory:
Bob was such a powerful charismatic character that I truly believe he will be there training with us for each and every workout. I read Thoms words and I know exactly what he meant. The Dino gym will never be the same without Bob, but it wouldnt be what its today without him either. So in your next workouts when your feeling tired and sore and want to quit, reach down and pull that little extra out, cause thats what old Maxie would do. I will end with my fondest memory of Bob. It was at this past years Dino meet, I had PR'ed on the Steinborn, I believe with 320, so Bob moves the bar to 350, and hit his famous Steinborn technique which is actually 3 rock bottom reps in 1, and as he hit the lift yelled right at me " Your Mine". Bob didnt do that to tease me, but to motivate me which is what Bob did every time I trained with him. -Scott Tully
One year in the KC games, Bob and I were competing in the same flight. I was doing the Weight Over Bar and soon found myself going for a field record. Bob kept inching over to the bar to get a good look at the bar as I took attempts and telling me if I was in front or behind on the crossbar, very useful information. Finally, on my 6th and final attempt, I cleared the bar. Several other guys came up to congratulate me……Bob came up and said, “YOU SUCK, why’d you waste my time with all those tries”!!!! Bob and I had a lot of friendly stuff like that (at least I always thought it was friendly), but I always wondered if Al Myers was fueling our feud a time or two. One time, we were talking trash between the Dino Gym and Jackson Weightlifting Club. I posted a friendly trash talking message on the KCstrongman board about the Dino Gym logo looking like a “plucked chicken”. I also went to great lengths to make sure everyone knew it was a joke. Well, Ol’ Bob got fired up like a locomotive, building up steam as time went by. He had a point that Al’s granddad had drawn that logo and he might not understand what I said was a joke, and joking or not, I thought I was going to have 400lbs of Maxey landing on me the next games I attended. Finally, after a year, Bob “forgave me” (again, I still suspect that Al was fueling that hoping that Bob would pile drive me!). If I had a dollar for every time Bob needled me…..I’d be a rich man. But, instead, I honestly feel I am rich for knowing the guy. I claim to be a Christian, and try to live like one. I also hope there’s a heaven and someday I’ll be honored to enter. One time, me and my Uncle Wayne were talking about what kind of place Heaven would be like. He said, “I don’t think it will be all about singing hymns and wearing wings….but about praising God by using the talents He gave us, and just like a father watches his son play and finds joy in that, I think God will be happy seeing us enjoy those talents, whatever they may be”. And I sincerely hope that all my friends that have passed before me, like Bob, will be waiting to toss the 56, hit a few squats and enjoy one of Bob’s ten favorite foods. -Thom Van Vleck
I'll never forget Al taking Bob to Kirksville one year to talk trash to counteract another guys trash talker. Bob was perfect for that. He and I always had plenty to say about Ku vs K-state of course. I love the story of Bob's diet where he gave up his 10 favorite foods for a year only to find that he gained weight. I always leave a tip for hotel cleaning staff because of Bob, never thought of it before. And of course, the best for last; beating up a fraternity. -Chad Ullum
Well, you guys are going to get the story out of me - only because I know Bob would have wanted me to tell it!!! It happened a few years ago on one of the best days ever in KState Football - the first time KState beat Nebraska at home in over 30 years. It was a cold day. Cold enough that you had to bundle up in heavy jackets. This fact is important for latter in the story. I remember talking to Bob and Tom (Bob's brother for those of you who don't know Tom) before the game. I remember Bob predicting a KState victory to me. My seats were much better than Bob's and Tom's so I went down to my seats while they went "up" to theirs. Now the rest of the story Bob told me after the game - so this is Bob's recount of the night. The game was close up to the end. In fact, KState won on their final drive. Bob and Tom had seats right beside an elderly Nebraska couple who had made the trip to Manhattan to follow the huskers. This couple was dressed very distinguished in their Nebraska red and the elderly lady was wearing a big hat (also important fact for later). Bob was enjoying their company and he was being a courteous fan as always. About 5 or 6 rows behind them was seated a bunch of frat boys (about 20 of them or so Bob said.)While toward the third quarter when KState was making a successful drive the frat boys started to dive into their snuck in alcohol stash and started to get a little loud and obnoxious. It was at this time that Tom decided to take a bathroom break leaving Bob by himself. The frat boys starting feeling the strength of the booze and at this point started directing all their attention to this nice old Nebraska couple. At first it was just insults. Bob ignored it and told the couple that they were just joking. Then the mouthy leader came down and poured beer on the poor lady's hat !! This set Bob off when the lady broke down in tears while her husband looked on with a look of total desperation on his face. Bob immediately walked up the bleachers and told the leader that he must apoligize to this couple immediately. Bob proceeded to tell them that KState fans don't behave this way. This must have futher angered them as the frat leader let Bob know it with a string of profanitys!!!! It was when he pushed Bob and called Bob a fat a** that Bob decided it was his turn. Bob gave the frat boy a roundhouse to the nose knocking him out cold. The next boy in lined tried to jump on him but Bob gave him a hard stiff arm pushing him over the back of the bleachers and a 15 foot drop to the pavement below. This alerted the security. The fans in the bleachers parted and Bob knocked one frat boy after another down. Not one single other fan stepped in to help him. Finally the entire fraternity dog piled him and all of the boys left standing were swinging and hitting him when they finally got Bob down . Bob just layed there and covered his head until security came and pulled all of them off him. This was when wearing that big coat paid off for him - he didn 't have one bruise or scratch on him while half the frat boys looked like they were in a gang fight!!! Even the frat leader with the broken nose continued running his mouth while security lead them off. Bob told me when he got up he told them that they hit like a bunch of girls!!! Everyone watching told what had happened and Bob was the hero. The elderly couple thanked him profusely. It was at this time Tom came back from the restroom and asked Bob what all the commotion in the stands was about!!! -Al Myers
