Dave Ross’ USSR trip with late SuperSonics exec Bob Walsh
Jan 24, 2017, 10:54 AM | Updated: Jan 25, 2017, 8:22 pm
KIRO Radio's Dave Ross says former SuperSonics exec Bob Walsh was the man to be with when things got a bit dicey. (AP)
(AP)
A man who played a vital role in bringing 13 national sporting events to Seattle died this week. And those who knew former SuperSonics executive Bob Walsh know how much he cared about people.
Related: George Karl shares fond memories of his time coaching Sonics
The Seattle Times reports Walsh was front office executive for the Sonics for three years. He also helped bring in three NCAA men’s basketball Final Fours, two NCAA women’s Final Fours, an NBA all-star game, and the 1990 Goodwill Games.
Behind the scenes, Walsh worked to bring medical care to people around the world, including to the people of the Republic of Georgia. The Times reports he organized events and nonprofits that brought in almost $1 billion in care, support and education.
I knew Walsh as a travel companion. We traveled to Moscow in 1992 to do a story on the one-year anniversary of the fall of the USSR.
When we arrived, Walsh was welcomed like a rock star. We were on the TV news that night.
During that trip, we were in an area where a rebellion was going on. We were meeting with the defense minister, who eventually asked us if we would like to take a visit to his bunker.
We were both placed in the backseat of a limousine and two large, armed men sat on either side of us. They closed the doors and the limousine went hurtling into the night.
As we were traveling in this limo through these dark back streets to who knows where, Bob turns to me and says, “I think we’re in deep [expletive deleted.]”
But we got through it and they ended up serving us Oreos and milk and presenting us with ceremonial daggers.
I will say, if you have to be in deep “bleep,” I would rather be in deep bleep with Bob Walsh than just about anybody.
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Tune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.
