Phillylacrosse.com Posted 3/06/09

A memorial service will be held Saturday for Danboro’s Charles Robert “Bob” Tait, 73, a Lower Merion graduate, University of Delaware men’s All-American and local lacrosse supporter, at 10 a.m. at Doylestown Presbyterian Church, 127 E. Court Street, Doylestown, Pa.

Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family tonight from 7-9 p.m. at Reed and Steinbach Funeral Home, 2335 Lower State Road, Doylestown, Pa.

Mr. Tait, one of the Blue Hens’ all-time leading scorers, suffered a stroke and passed away Feb. 25 in Danboro.

A native of Bala Cynwyd, Mr. Tait arrived at the University of Delaware in 1954 and was a four-year standout for the Blue Hens for coaches Milt Roberts and Rocco Carzo. He earned his degree in business administration from Delaware in 1959.

Nicknamed “Goose”, Mr. Tait remains one of the most prolific goal-scorers in Blue Hen history. He led the team in scoring in 1955, 1956, and 1958 and finished his career with 112 goals, which ranked No. 2 when he graduated and still ranks No. 9 all-time at UD. His career-high 52 goals during his sophomore year in 1956 led all NCAA players.

He was a first team All-Region selection in 1955, 1957, and 1958, was the region Player of the Year in 1955,  and earned honorable mention United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association honors All-American laurels as a senior in 1958.

He was named the team Most Valuable Player in 1958 and went on to play in the USILA North-South Senior All-Star Game.  He continued to play club lacrosse and served as a referee in the Philadelphia area following his time at Delaware.

Mr. Tait and his late wife, Lynn, who passed away in 2001, were married for 43 years. He is survived by three sisters, two children, and four grandchildren. One grandchild, Bobby Tait, is a sophomore lacrosse player at Germantown Academy and he and his siblings have played for the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Youth (OLMC) Lacrosse program in Doylestown. A daughter, Linda Webster, is a director and coach in the OLMC program.

He retired in 2004 after working 45 years at Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Co. in Horsham, Pa. and remained on its Board of Directors until his death.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name may be made to causes dear to his family, the Alzheimer’s Foundation, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia, PA 19106 or the ALS Association, 321 Norristown Rd., Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002.

Tags: Delaware