The only Galesburg High School athlete to win a state golf championship has died.
Robert “Joffre” Eyre — the individual state medalist on the Silver Streaks’ state champion boys golf team of 1962-63 — died Monday, Feb. 3, at his Galesburg home. He was 80.
Eyre fired a two-round total of 153 to claim individual honors in 1962-63.
Galesburg shot 660 as a team to claim the state championship by a single stroke over Waukegan. The state champs were coached by Bob Hungerford and included Joff Eyre, John Eyre, Dave Lundstrom, Gary Trotter and Bill Weaver. The team won all 15 of their dual season meets and the Illini Conference.
Obituary: Robert Joffre Eyre – February 2, 1945 ~ February 3, 2025
According to published research from late Galesburg historian Tom Wilson, Galesburg was not permitted to defend its state championship one year later because the sport was eliminated due to budget constraints.
Joff Eyre is a two-time member of the Galesburg Athletic Hall of Fame — inducted as a member of the 1963 state champs in 1989 and later as an individual in 1998.
Eyre also was a 3-year letterwinner as a member the Silver Streaks basketball team.
Eyre went on to play golf at Northwestern University, serving as team captain his senior season.
According to his obituary, upon graduation Eyre enlisted in the Army and finished 1st in his class at OCS (Officer Candidate School). His AIT (Advanced Individual Training) was at Ft. Holabird Intelligence School in Baltimore, Maryland. After 3 years of service as a signal corps officer, he attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
Private family graveside services for Robert “Joffre” Eyre are scheduled for Monday, Feb. 10, in Memorial Park Cemetery.
