Bob Minzesheimer: Journalist and Former Book Critic for USA Today

Robert A. Minzesheimer, 66, of Scarborough, NY, journalist and former book critic of USA Today, died October 15 of glioblastoma.

He was the husband of Mary McDonagh Murphy. Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, he was the only child of the late Kathryn (Pfeiffer) and Phillip Minzesheimer.

Bob decided early in life on a double career as the mayor of New York City and a starter for the Knicks. Instead, a stint as a stringer for the New York Times while at Colgate University led him to Columbia Graduate School of Journalism and a job as a reporter covering the local schools for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. During a sabbatical, he taught writing at St. John Fisher College in Rochester.

In 1982, he moved to Washington DC to serve as a congressional reporter for the Gannett News Service, then moved to USA Today, where he covered politics and, ultimately, the publishing business. His reviews of books, interviews with authors, reports on trends in publishing, and frequent appearances on C-Span were notable for his skill and heart. He was a 1994 John S. Knight Fellow at Stanford University.

He served on the Ossining Public Library board and directed it during the planning and construction of its beautiful new building and the dedication of its John Cheever Room.

Bob, who wore red sneakers even on formal occasions, was a fan of the Boston Red Sox and local Ossining sports, and long-time coach in the Ossining t-ball, Little League, and Babe Ruth leagues.

Besides his wife, he leaves his children, Kathryn Kirby Minzesheimer and James McDonagh Minzesheimer of Scarborough, NY. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, October, 24th at 4pm at Scarborough Presbyterian Church, 655 Scarborough Road, Scarborough, NY.

Nurturing aspiring journalists was a life’s passion of Bob’s and a memorial fund has been established in his name at the Westchester Community Foundation. Contributions may be made to the Community Funds for the Robert Minzesheimer Fund, 909 Third Avenue, NY, NY 10022.