This Article was published in the September 1998 issue of the Texas Koi & Fancy Goldfish Society newsletter.

Bob Spindola, passed away August 22, 1998, two days after his 69th birthday. Many of you knew Bob through his impact on the koi world. He had many other passions in addition to koi.

 Bob was a child actor in Hollywood and appeared in several movies. He loved sports and became a gifted athlete. He became an All American football player for Cal State and was drafted and played briefly for the Los Angeles Rams. Bob became a football coach and teacher at the high school and college level. He met and married Pam who was teaching at the same school where Bob coached. Bob and Pam were truly best friends and the love of each other’s lives. Bob was a dedicated and much admired teacher and coach as evidenced by the number of ex-students and football players that filled the church at his memorial service. Fellow coaches and former football players and students described Bob as an extraordinary teacher and mentor. He taught his students not only how to play football but also how to plan for success in life. He exemplified excellence and as all true leaders by leading through his own example.

 Bob was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, which he survived for seventeen years. “The average survival is about three years with this disease but those of us who knew Bob recognized that he was exceptional.” stated his physician, Dr. Levine, during Bob’s memorial service. After realizing he could not coach anymore he turned to a new interest, Koi. Bob decided to learn everything possible about koi. He joined a club, read books, visited dealers, and talked to anyone that would help him. He realized that much more information needed to be made available to the hobbist. Being used to competition, Bob started showing his koi at shows and winning major awards. He soon became a lecturer at koi shows and seminars all across the country. He also started judging koi shows and became a speaker/dealer for Tetra. He became a ZNA judge and was one of the first non-Japanese to judge a major koi show in Japan. Bob has written numerous articles and produced several excellent videos about koi. He was one of three persons selected to develop the AKCA Koi Judge certification program. Bob had a gift for inspiring others and used his talents and his passion for koi to help others learn to become successful in our hobby. 

Seven years ago Bob agreed to help our club conduct its first koi show. He took a special interest in our club and our shows. In fact, he has been our head judge every year for the past six years. I can vividly remember the first show where I got to know Bob & Pam. I was a fish bagger and got to stand right next to Bob as he discussed the reasons each winning koi was selected. He taught us more than facts about conformation, color, and pattern, he taught us to appreciate the overall beauty and strength of koi. He also showed us how to appreciate and respect other hobbyists and their koi. I once heard him referred to as the “King of Koi.” and that was exactly how we felt about him.

During last years show I noticed a really “UGLY” fish in a tank that Bob was judging. Knowing that the owner might be listening, Bob, in a tactful way discussed the other fish being judged. He referred to the beauty of the better fish and then in a very sensitive and professional manner remarked “How unique and unusual” this UGLY fish was. Grace under pressure was another one of his special talents. Bob also loved to lecture on how to select young koi with the potential to grow into champions.  At last years show we created a special annual award. “The Bob Spindola, Tategoi Award” to be given to the owner of the koi having the best potential to grow into a future champion. I am glad we honored Bob with this special perpetual tribute while he was here to enjoy it. I can still see and hear Bob pointing to a baby koi and describing how it might develop. This special ability was one of the reasons Bob was asked to accompany Brett Rowley when he made a special koi-buying trip to Japan several years ago. Bob helped select the koi to be used in Brett’s breeding program that has been one of the few successful koi-breeding ventures in the U.S.  

At our 4th show, Bob learned that the Grand Champion koi had been purchased for $50 as a six inch baby, I thought Bob was going to dance around the grounds in joy for it’s proud owners. Bob encouraged hobbyists to buy young koi and grow them into champions rather than large already finished koi that someone else had raised.  

A few years ago, Martha & I attended a California koi show where Bob’s koi were competing. Later at the show banquet, a forest of trophies that their koi had won at this show surrounded Bob and Pam. Another competitor came over and started telling Bob how he felt one of his fish should have been named a winner instead of Bob’s. From the sound of the comments it appeared to me that this same discussion had occurred at many other shows. After a minute or so of listening, Bob calmly took off his glasses and offered them to this person without saying a word. I am laughing right now thinking about how funny this whole scene played out and how classy Bob always handled conflict. I hope I can be wise enough follow his example whenever confronted with similar circumstances.

 Bob faced his mortality like everything else in his life. He refused to give up. The last few years Bob underwent special treatment regimens by his physician to “build” his strength enough just to be able attend/judge a show. He never complained about the pain and the extreme effort it took to travel and stand up for hours as he judged and gave seminars. Often after a show he would be so exhausted that he would end up in the hospital. When he called to tell me a few weeks before his death that he was not going to be able to come to San Antonio and judge our show, I was sure he had to be in extra bad condition. Our show this year, and for many to come, will be touched by a sadness with our loss of Bob’s presence. However, our show likes so many other people and things that Bob touched is so much better for having known him. Bob, will forever be a treasured memory and inspiration. BOB, WE SALUTE YOU!

Ladies & Gentlemen

the King has Left the Building

Ray Jordan

Texas Koi & Fancy Goldfish Society