Robert (Bob) “Tiger” Zelinka, z”l, died May 21, 2023, at the age of 93. He is survived by his significant other, Roslyn Millet; children, Karen, Robyn, Leslie “Choo” (Matt), Phillip (Mary) and Edy (Tim); grandchildren, Jaren, Joseph, Mallory, Shaun, Kara, Joshua, Zachary, Brittney, Curtis, Cody and Jamie; and great-grandchildren, Mya, Jason, Jude, McKenna, Maisen, Nora, Maggie, Ezekiel, Peyton, Delilah and Reilly. He was preceded in death by his brother, Leonard; his wives, Audrey, Marilyn and Corrine “Corky”; significant other Sue; and grandson, Kelly.
Zelinka was born May 31, 1929, and grew up in Los Angeles, Calif. He was an unstoppable Fairfax High School All-City guard and captain of the ‘47 eleven. He was a 3-year letterman and excellent student, who also found time to give back to the community as a camp counselor and swim and ski instructor for children.
He discovered early on that he was an excellent athlete. He later graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical fitness, becoming the first college graduate of his eastern-European immigrant family.
Zelinka’s athletic ability and love of football created a lifelong passion and career that he loved. At junior college, he won a national championship as a guard for the Santa-Ana “Don’s” and led them to the Jr. Rose Bowl. He then became a UCLA Bruin, coming in as a junior in 1950, proclaiming himself “mighty rough to handle.” As a senior, he was touted as saying, “I’ll bust ‘em up and break ‘em in little pieces.” He took football very seriously and would stop at nothing to be the best.
In 1952 and 1953, Zelinka took his Naval Training Center San Diego football team to the Poinsettia Bowl and Salad Bowl, respectively.
His coaching career would be what he was ultimately famous for. At age 25, “Tiger,” as he soon came to be known, became a Beaver when he was named assistant head football coach at Oregon State. He was the youngest coach in OSU history and, until recently, in the United States. 
Tiger quickly took Oregon State to the 1956 Rose Bowl as Pacific Coast Conference champions. He found himself in the newspapers nearly weekly because of his success coaching Oregon State. The press followed his coaching style and his personal life, including his marriage and the arrival of his children.
In 1962, Zelinka won big. He and his star player, Heisman Memorial Trophy winner, Terry Baker, won the Liberty Bowl. It was an epic game and would go down in Oregon State history as one of the best wins ever.
Zelinka’s Oregon State coaching career ended in 1965 after another run at the Rose Bowl. A new head coach moved Zelinka out, and the Beavers have never played in another Rose Bowl. 
Zelinka went on to become a Head Linesman for the Pacific Coast Conference and officiated many bowl games over the years. He spent time in the offseason trading lumber and continued to do that following his officiating career until the time he retired.
Zelinka has been inducted into the State of Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, Oregon State University Hall of Fame and Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. He was known well for being a faithful friend and even continued to meet with his high school sports club, The Unicorns, monthly until the day he died. He was larger than life. Bob “Tiger” Zelinka will forever be known simply as Coach.
Zelinka’s family said he passed away peacefully at the Los Altos home of his significant other’s family. To everyone, he was a football star, great friend, a funny man and life of the party and truly a remarkable man who lived a big, bright, remarkable life. To his family, he was a loving partner, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who made a big impact on the world and in their lives and who will forever be in their hearts.
Services will be held at 11 am, Thursday, May 25, 2023, at Beth Israel Cemetery, 426 SW Taylors Ferry Road, Portland.
Donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Mittleman Jewish Community Center Harry Glickman Scholar-Athlete Award.