Former Chicago Bulls forward Bob Love is survived by his son, Chance Love, and his wife, Rachel Dixon.
Sadly, Bob Love, aka Robert Earl “Butterbean” Love, has passed away at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer.
Highlights
- According to Chicago Bulls, Robert Earl “Butterbean” Love, aka Bob Love, passed away on November 18, 2024, from complications of cancer.
- Bob was married to his second wife, Rachel Dixon, in 1995, with whom he shared one son named Chance Love.
- Chance Love is playing for Kennedy Kings, with whom he signed a contract in 2019.
The Bulls took to their official Twitter handle to announce that tragic news. They wrote,
We mourn the passing of Bob Love, who passed away today in Chicago at the age of 81 after a long battle with cancer.
Chicago Bulls
Growing up in northern Louisiana, Love was one of 14 children. He was nicknamed “Butterbean” because he liked lima beans.
He starred at Southern University in Baton Rouge before Cincinnati selected him in the 4th round of the 1965 NBA draft.
Love played for the Royals for two seasons before Milwaukee selected him in the expansion draft 1968.
The Bulls’ legend was traded to Chicago in November 1968 for Flynn Robinson. He developed into one of the NBA’s best forwards with the Bulls.
Bob was an All-Star for three straight seasons from 1970-73. He averaged a team-high and career-best 25.8 points during the 1971-72 season.
He retired after the 1966-77 season after averaging 17.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 789 career games.
In January 1994, the Bulls retired his number, making him the second player in franchise history after Jerry Sloan.
Bob Love And His Second Wife, Rachel Dixon, Had A Son Named Chance Love
After ending a relationship with his first wife, Bob Love married his second wife, Rachel Dixon, on December 8, 1995, at the United Center.
On the other hand, the Chicago Bulls’ official Twitter handle mentioned that his wife is Emily. They poured their deepest condolences to his wife, Emily, family, and many friends.
Rest well, HBCU Legend and Southern Jaguar, Mr. Bob Love… pic.twitter.com/QOzKZV7Ax3
— Kyle T. Mosley (@ktmoze) November 19, 2024
The couple were blessed with a son, Chance Love, who has developed into a productive scorer and rebounder for South Suburban.
Some sources have claimed that Bob Love has another son named Kelly Love.
According to Chance’s official Twitter handle, he was born on January 15, in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Although the exact year has not been mentioned, his physical appearance suggests he is in his early 20s.
On July 24, 2019, Chance from Rich Central School signed a contract with Kennedy King, where he is currently playing as a forward. Southsuburbanhoop congratulated him on their official Twitter handle.
He averaged eight points and six rebounds earlier while playing for Rich Central School as a junior forward.
Last one🖤 pic.twitter.com/BifZLFjgff
— Chance💲 (@_chancelove) October 7, 2018
Most 6 foot 3 players tend to drift from the physicality of the lane and make their way toward the 3-point line, but Chance likes to play with back to the basket and mix it up.
According to Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Cornelius Crossley, Chance has excellent footwork around the basket, a soft touch, is an excellent passer from the post, and plays strong defense.
Currently, Chance is mourning the tragic loss of his father, Bob Love. He was inspired and motivated by his father’s inspirational journey.
Bob Love Lived With His Abusive Stepfather Until Eight
Bob Love was born to his father, Benjamin Love, who worked as a sharecropper and a mother, Lule Belle (Hunter) Cleveland. His mother was only 15 years old when he was born.
Later, his mother married an ex-Marine who always seemed angry and would often hit Bob whenever the mood struck.
Love grew up with his abusive stepfather until he was eight years old.
JUST IN: Legendary Bulls forward Bob Love dies after cancer battle https://t.co/OKqVOOB2Bs
— NBC Chicago (@nbcchicago) November 19, 2024
Love did not meet his biological father until he was 33 years old. When he was 8, to escape from his stepfather, he fled to live with his grandmother, Ella Hunter, who nurtured him through a difficult childhood made worse by his stuttering.
When his stepfather came to get him back, his grandmother answered the door, holding an axe handle. “Get out of here,” she said. “The boy lives here now.”
He had a severe stuttering disability and seldom spoke, fearing to be called on in school, where other children laughed at him.
Love had a favorite uncle who had a severe stutter when he spoke. He enjoyed being around his uncle so much that he also started stuttering.
Additional Information
- A versatile forward who could shoot with either his left or right hand, Love later worked as the Bulls’ director of community affairs and goodwill ambassador.
- Love grew up in the cotton fields of Louisiana, the son of a sharecropper. His first basket was made up of a wire hangar, and his first basketball was a pair of socks.
- He had a severe stuttering issue, so after his all-star NBA career ended, he could only find work as a dishwasher and bushboy at Nordstrom’s in Seattle.
