A Little About Bob Minzesheimer

Bob Minzesheimer, who inspired this special day, sadly passed away in 2016. One notable aspect of his character was his love for wearing red shoes, which he donned for nearly every occasion. This fondness for red shoes became the symbolic heart of Red Shoes Sunday, which encourages us to be better and kinder, ultimately making the world a little brighter—a sentiment Bob would have deeply appreciated.

Bob was a remarkable journalist who spent years writing about books and authors for USA Today and The Journal News, while also championing the revitalization of the Ossining Public Library. He wielded his pen with grace, crafting interviews and reviews that showcased his thoughtful nature, including conversations with literary legends like Maya Angelou and Norman Mailer.

Janet Maslin, a longtime New York Times critic and fellow Westchester resident, described him as “a sweet guy” with whom authors enjoyed discussing their work. Writers like Stephen King and James Patterson held him in high regard, which reflected his natural charisma rather than an overt attempt at charm.

Ben Cheever, Maslin’s husband, fondly recalled Minzesheimer's steadfast humility. “He was strikingly unpretentious for a person with considerable power,” he noted, emphasizing Bob’s passion for championing books and authors he admired.

Tom Curley, former president and CEO of USA Today and The Associated Press, remembered Minzesheimer as “an absolute delight” and an inspiring journalist unafraid to ask challenging questions and write creatively about the answers.

In 1996, Bob married writer Mary McDonagh Murphy, and together they raised two children, James and Kate. Mary expressed the hope that their children would remember their father for his kindness, thoughtfulness, and the remarkable integrity he brought to everything he did. She admired Bob's sharp mind, which coexisted beautifully with his gentle demeanor.

Throughout his career, Minzesheimer served on the Ossining Library board, leading efforts for a $15.8 million upgrade that included a theater, art gallery, and café, culminating in the library’s reopening in 2007. He also organized the Friends of the Ossining Public Library and advocated for a bilingual community read to bridge connections between communities—an initiative that remains unfinished.

Growing up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan, Bob later switched allegiances to the Boston Red Sox, a nod to his son's favorite team. His love for baseball shone through in his writing, like a nostalgic piece for The Daily Beast about a 1965 game at West Point, where he met President Dwight D. Eisenhower and had him autograph a scorecard.

Bob’s enthusiasm for various passions—whether they were books, family, or high school sports—was infectious. As Mayor Jen Laird White noted, he infused magic into every aspect of his writing as well as his family life.

Born on February 11, 1950, in Brooklyn, to Kathryn (Pfeiffer) and Phillip Minzesheimer, Bob grew up in Queens and was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Colgate University in 1972 and completing his master’s in journalism at Columbia in 1973. His career spanned various roles, including covering Congress for Gannett News Service, eventually becoming USA Today’s politics editor before focusing on literature from 1997 to 2014.

Despite battling cancer for many years, Bob faced his ordeal with bravery and grace, never allowing his condition to define him. Mary noted how he cherished his life, reflecting on the remarkable journey he had, extending beyond what he’d imagined.

And the red shoes? He wore them almost everywhere, leaving a lasting legacy of kindness and warmth that we honor through Red Shoes Sunday.