t is with sadness that I learned of the passing on Thursday of Roy Daubenspeck, one of the most loyal fans any area high school program has ever had. He was 88.
I have done a few stories about Roy and his friends, who simply refused to miss any Allen boys basketball games for many years. If half the fans were half as half as loy as Roy, we'd have packed houses every night in all area gyms.
Here's part of a 2011 story I did on the Daubenspeck and his friends who didn't miss a game:
So much has changed in the Lehigh Valley over the past few decades, especially on the sports scene.
Some change is good, some not so good.
But in a world where nothing seems like it used to be, it is comforting to go to an Allen boys basketball game and still see some of the same faces you might have seen back in the 1950s and '60s.
When the 2011-12 Canaries played their home opener against Pocono Mountain West on Tuesday night,
RoyDaubenspeck, Robert Kelchner and Charlie Tice were sitting a few rows off the court at Sewards Gym, back where they've been for many years.
And it was good to see them because, frankly, it wouldn't have felt like Allen basketball without them.
From the coaching eras of J. Birney Crum to J. Milo Sewards to John Donmoyer to Doug Snyder, these guys have continued to follow their alma mater for nearly 70 years and can't wait for each season to roll around.
"I've been coming to games since 1942," said
Daubenspeck, a 1943 Allentown High grad. "I still look forward to the games. We try to get to as many road games, too, but that may be more difficult since we lost our driver."
"We enjoy it, it's a little pastime for us," Tice, a 1947 Allentown High grad, said. "When you're retired, you want something to do and we look forward to the season."
Richard Trump used to be a part of the group, but Tice said: "He just can't make it anymore."
Somehow, some way, these guys will get to as many games as possible. They are also fixtures in the summer.
They see Snyder, who played for Sewards, as one of the few remaining links to Allentown High's glorious basketball past.
Sewards was in his first year as coach when he guided Allentown to the 1950-51 state title, one of the school's finest athletic moments. Snyder was a member of his Sewards' team in 1973-74.
"Doug Snyder is great," Tice said. "He does so much for these kids besides basketball. We root for him."
Snyder, who creates a family atmosphere with all who are involved with his program, appreciates the support of the fans who were coming to Allen games long before he was even born.
"Daubenspeck told me he missed just one year of Allentown High basketball and that was in the early 1940s when he was in the Pacific fighting the Japanese in World War II," Snyder said. "That's pretty impressive.
"I always tell the story that we played a game at Downingtown during a snowstorm several years ago. When we got there, I couldn't believe it. Those guys were the only fans sitting in the gym. Same thing happened when we played a game at Trenton. It's doesn't matter where we play, they're there. It's always a good feeling to see them in the gym."
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Here's the funeral information:
Roy W. J. Daubenspeck, Jr. 88, of Allentown, passed away Thursday, March, 6 2014 in the Phoebe Home, Allentown. He was the husband of the late Gloria J. “Mickey” (Moyer) Daubenspeck. Roy was born in Allentown a son of the late Roy W. J. and Mazie M. (Stein) Daubenspeck. He was a graduate of Allentown High School Class of 1943. Roy was a welder for the Fuller Company for 35 years before retiring in 1987. He was a U. S. Army Veteran of World War II. He was an avid Allen High School sports fan.
Survivors: Sons, Ronald A. husband of Patricia A. Daubenspeck of Nazareth and Barry E. Daubenspeck and his domestic partner John Early of Lansdale; daughter, Diane J. Mentzer and her life partner Gregory Semmel of Allentown; brother, Raymond Daubenspeck of Whitehall; sisters, Dorothy E. McEllroy and Anna Mae Davis both of Allentown; grandchildren, Brent and his wife Jillian, Holly and Alyce; great-grandson, Aaron.
Services: 10:30 A.M. Wednesday in the Stephens Funeral Home Inc. 1335-37 Linden St. Allentown. Call 7:00 – 8:30 P.M. Tuesday and 10:00 – 10:30 A.M. Wednesday in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Highland Memorial Park, Allentown.
www.stephensfuneral.com.
Contributions: American Heart Association NE PA District 212 East Broad St. Bethlehem. 18018.
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