In a touching celebration of talent, legacy and love for the sport, hall of fame bowler Robin Romeo was presented with the prestigious Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Award. The recognition was made even more meaningful by the memory of her late mother Joan Romeo, a fellow Hall of Famer and longtime member of the award’s selection committee.
The award has been presented annually since its inception in 1961 to individuals who have made a lasting impact on bowling and are still living to appreciate the honor. But the Flowers for the Living Award took on special meaning this year. Robin, enshrined in both the United States Bowling Congress and Professional Women’s Bowling Association Halls of Fame for her extraordinary career on the lanes, accepted the award not only for her achievements but with the spirit of her mother close at heart.
Joan Romeo, who passed away in 2022, was previously honored for her meritorious service to the sport, and helped select recipients of this award for years.
“My mom was on many committees,” Romeo said. “But I always remember her talking about the Sam Levine Flowers for the Living Committee and what a prestigious award it is.
“I was so surprised, shocked and overwhelmed with this award. I said to my husband, Tom, ‘Did he just call my name?’ To be among the list of these great names, and to be recognized in the sport of bowling that I love and my family loves is truly an honor. I am very blessed.”
Romeo, a Brooklyn, New York native, received the honor on May 7 at the South Point Hotel & Casino in her current hometown of Las Vegas just prior to the USBC Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
She also was honored by her peers during her time on the PWBA Tour. Romeo was a two-time recipient of the PWBA’s Robby Award, which was presented for professional conduct and appearance on and off the lanes.
Romeo has promoted the sport as a proprietor and in dozens of volunteer promotions over the years.
Her character was on full display in 1995, when Leanne Hulsenberg was holding the “From Our Hearts” benefits for the Oklahoma City bombing victims. Romeo won the PWBA event held that week, and immediately donated half of her $10,000 check to help the disaster victims.
So, it’s no surprise that she earned the respect of her peers on and off the lanes.
“Robin Romeo has been the consummate professional since she first stepped on the scene — always well-mannered and well dressed,” said Fran Deken, the PWBA national tournament director when Romeo was competing on the tour. “Robin continues to follow in her mother’s footsteps by promoting bowling wherever and whenever she can by coaching, volunteering and donating to our great sport.”
The seven-time all-American won 17 PWBA titles and was named the 1989 Bowler of the Year by the Bowling Writers Association of America (now the International Bowling Media Association). That was the year she won five titles, including the U.S. Women’s Open, and earned a record $113,750.
She continued to bowl at a high level after turning 50, becoming the first woman to win the U.S. Women’s Open and then the Senior U.S. Women’s Open with her triumph in 2013. Romeo also became the first bowler to win back-to-back Senior Queens titles, winning it three years in a row: 2014, 2015 and 2016.
She has been inducted into nine halls of fame, including the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, joining bowling greats Johnny Petraglia, Carmen Salvino and Andy Varipapa, among others.
“I’m so proud to be recognized outside of bowling,” she said.
In non-pro competition, Romeo tied for the all-events title in the 1986 WIBC Championships and has shared the doubles title in that tournament three times. As a member of Senior Team USA, she won six medals — two golds and four bronze.
She also has served on the hall of fame committees for the WIBC and PWBA. And for the past 17 years, she has been one of the coaches for Camp Bakes, led by PBA champion Mark Baker.
Romeo became the 62nd honoree of the Flowers for the Living Award, which has had an impressive list of winners. Previous honorees include star bowlers, proprietors, association representatives and business executives from all corners of the industry — Gordon Vadakin, John LaSpina, Jamie Brooks, Mike Aulby, Paula and Don Carter, Chuck Pezzano, Dick Weber and Earl Anthony among them.
It’s a unique award in the bowling industry because it is not owned by any group or organization. Its founders wanted it to be independent from any group to ensure that there would be no campaigning or politics involved in the nominating and selection process. An independent committee oversees the award and chooses the winners. No one is allowed to know they have been nominated, nor is the winner known until the surprise presentation is made.
With all of Romeo’s contributions to the sport, she meets all of the criteria to become the newest member of the group. International Bowling Industry underwrites the award plaques.
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