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The National Office received notice today that USA Softball Hall of Fame Umpire, Robert Savoie, passed away at the age of 89 on Monday, April 14.

Born on Feb. 27, 1936 in Central Falls, R.I., Savoie was proceeded in death by his loving wife, Arlene Nave, of 59 years, and is survived by their three daughters, four grandchildren, six great grandchildren and their four step-grandchildren.

He and his family’s love for sports and athletics introduced Savoie to the world of softball in 1970 where he began his career with the Amateur Softball Association as an umpire. Serving the sport in Hawaii, Nebraska and Maryland along with being assigned to ASA tournaments all over the country, he eventually became the ASA Chief Umpire for the Washington D.C. area from 1978-1990.

From there, Savoie was selected as the ASA Chief Umpire for the Central Atlantic Region from 1996-2006, earning his spot in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame.

Growing up, Savoie attended St. Matthew’s Parochial School, graduating from Assumption High School in Worcester, Mass., enlisting in the Army in 1953. He served for 20-plus years and retired as a Master Sergeant after serving in overseas tours in Morocco, Puerto Rico and Hawaii as a weather observer and forecaster.

After his retirement from the Army, Savoie worked with Informatics Inc. in Rockville, Md., and with the National Weather Service as a computer specialist, retiring in 1994 with close to 40 years of federal service.

Savoie and Arlene married in 1958, welcoming their three daughters – Deborah, Donna and Diane – along with grandchildren, Bridgette, Kelly, Trevor and Natalie, along with great grandchildren Audrey, Matthew, Owen, Addison, Caroline, Isla, Kyle, Ashley, Kennedy, Tanner, Nolan and Claire.

Savoie’s family asks that in leu of flowers, to make donations to the Talbot Hospice in his name. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert Paul Savoie please visit their Sympathy Store.