Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bob Uecker’s first wife, Joyce Uecker, was from Menomonee Falls and died peacefully in 2015.
Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers, passed away on January 16, 2025, at 90. He earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Highlights
- Bob Uecker passed away at 90 as he had small-cell lung cancer.
- Uecker and his first wife, Joyce Uecker, had four children: Leann, Steve, Sue Ann, and Bob Jr.
- Bob and his second wife, Judy Uecker, married in 1976 and separated in 2001.
Milwaukee Brewers announced Uecker’s death Thursday morning, calling it “one of the most difficult days in Milwaukee Brewers history.”
In a statement released by the club, Uecker’s family said he had “faced a private battle with small cell lung cancer” since early 2023. The family said,
“Even in the face of this challenge, his enthusiasm for life was always present, never allowing his spirit to falter,”
Uecker’s family
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred also poured a heartfelt condolence with a statement saying,
“Bob was the genuine item: always the funniest person in any room he was in, and always an outstanding ambassador for our National Pastime,” “We are grateful for this baseball life like no other, and we will never forget him. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest sympathy to Bob’s family, his many friends across the game, Brewers fans, and the countless baseball fans who admired him.”
Rob Manfred
Uecker was best known as a colorful broadcaster who earned his nickname during one of his numerous appearances on Johnny Carson’s late-night show.
He was honored by the Hall of Fame with the Ford C. Frick Award in 2003 and spent nearly 20 minutes keeping the Cooperstown, New York, crowd of about 18,000 in stitches.
Bob presided over the string ceremony that closed Milwaukee County Stadium in 2000.
When the Brewers’ new stadium opened as Miller Park in 2001, the team started selling “Ueckers Seats” high in the upper deck and obstructed for a $1.
The stadium, now known as American Family Field, has two statues in Uecker’s honor.
There is a statue outside the stadium and another on one back of section 422, a nod to the Miller Lite commercial in which famously said, “I must be in the front row!” while getting taken to one of the worst seats in the ballpark.
Bob Uecker Had Four Children With His First Wife Joyce Uecker
The late sports commentator Bob Uecker married Joyce Uecker in 1956.
Their marriage lasted 19 years, and they separated in 1975. However, they had four children: Leann, Steve, Sue Ann, and Bob Jr.
Sadly, Joyce passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2015, at the age of 81.
Leann, born May 20, 1957, graduated from Menomonee Falls High School and was a bartender at the Milwaukee Hyatt.
In June 1988, she married travel agent Robert Ziemer and moved to New York, where they had a daughter, Kelsey.
However, after several years of marriage, they separated, and Leann moved back to Wisconsin with her daughter in 1999.
Leann passed away on March 11, 2022, at the age of 65, after a valiant fight against ALS.
On the other hand, Bob’s second child, Steve, born on April 7, 1959, attended Menomonee Falls East High School and headed west upon graduation in 1977.
He moved to Bakersfield, California, and opened a pizza parlor, From Row Pizza.
Soon, he found his calling as a cowboy and proudly ranched for Scott and Jan Bell at Deer Creek Cattle.
Sadly, Steve also passed away at 52 on April 6, 2012, after suffering from San Joaquin Valley Fever.
However, Bob’s third child, Sue Ann, and fourth child, Bob Jr., have avoided the media spotlight. They are currently mourning the loss of their father, Bob.
Late Sportscaster Bob Uecker Was Married To Judy For 25 Years
After separating from Joyce Uecker, Bob Uecker married Judy Uecker in Louisiana in 1976. They had no children.
Judy was with Uecker when he celebrated with the Brewers last season at American Family Field and in his final days, as one of his “Mr. Belverdere” co-stars mentioned in a social media post when she visited Uecker in recent weeks in Wisconsin.
According to a June 2022 interview with Uecker on MLB.com, he revealed that both he and his ex-wife Judy had tested positive for COVID-19.
They received treatment for the virus with a monoclonal antibody and recovered quickly.
Uecker also revealed that both he and Judy were vaccinated, and the diagnosis was more of a “shock” because he had “all the shots” and “did everything.”
He had cancer and also had to undergo surgery, but the process was interrupted by the COVID-19 diagnosis.
Bob and Judy remained close for 25 years until their divorce in 2001. However, the reason behind the divorce has not been mentioned.
Additional Information
- At the time of passing, Bob Uecker had an estimated net worth of around $10 million.
- He was born to his father, August Uecker, and his mother, Mary Schultz.
- Bob had two younger sisters, Carol Ann and Rosemary.
