- Name
- Bob Taylor
- Position
- Forward
- Class
- Senior
- Hometown (Last School)
- Covington, KY (Holmes)
- Ht
- 6'2"
- Seasons
- 1933-34, 1934-35, 1935-36
- Birthday
- January 17, 1914
Bob Taylor was born Robert Henry Taylor on January 17, 1914, in Jefferson, Missouri. Taylor grew up in Covington, Kentucky, and graduated from Covington Holmes High School on June 11, 1932.
In September of 1932, Taylor began his college education at Kentucky. While there, he served as secretary of the YMCA during his freshman year; was recording secretary of the Phi Kappa Tau, social fraternity, for one year, releasing this office when he was elected president of the fraternity, in which capacity he served for two years. He was elected treasurer of the Lamp and Cross, a national honorary fraternity, and he served as a member of the Student Council and the Interfraternity Council.
During Taylor’s time at Kentucky, the program enjoyed increasing regional prominence. In the 1933–34 season, Kentucky posted a strong record and continued to build momentum in the Southeastern Conference, which had just been established in 1932. Taylor played alongside other key contributors of the decade, helping the Wildcats become a respected force in the SEC.
Taylor’s role in Kentucky basketball may not have garnered the national headlines that came with later stars, but players of his era laid the groundwork for the powerhouse the program would become. His dedication and efforts during the formative years of Rupp’s regime helped set the tone for decades of success that followed.
He graduated from Kentucky on June 5, 1936, and entered the banking field with First National Bank, Cincinnati.
A WWII vet, Taylor entered the Army as a private in 1942 and left as a captain in 1945 after having served as member of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s staff.
Taylor went to Owensboro National Bank in 1965, where he was vice-president and trust officer.
Taylor passed away on April 13, 1977, in Owensboro, Kentucky.
