LAS VEGAS: The Las Vegas 51s professional baseball team sadly announces today the passing of longtime employee and friend, Bob Blum, at the age of 91. Blum passed away earlier today from complications from hip surgery.

He was born on October 1, 1920 in South Bend, Ind., and attended the University of Notre Dame. He served in the United States Air Force and moved to California following World War II.

Blum was the "godfather" of sports broadcasting in Southern Nevada and was a member of the Las Vegas Stars/51s front office staff for nearly three decades. He broadcast games for the Pacific Coast League team in selected seasons from 1985-2005 and 2008-10.

"Blumer was just a great guy and was the consummate peoples person," 51s Executive Director Don Logan said. "He was the grandfather, he got along with everyone he came into contact with and was a very generous person. He refused to let age get in the way of his everyday living. He loved to come to work at the ballpark and everyone involved in the 51s front office and the Las Vegas community will miss him greatly."

Prior to moving to Las Vegas, he enjoyed a 23-year stint in the Bay Area. He broadcast games for Major League Baseball and National Football League franchises, including the San Francisco Giants, Oakland A's and San Diego Chargers, in addition to his work with broadcasts for San Jose State University and University of Santa Clara football and basketball. He also broadcast NFL Pro Bowls and the 1960 Winter Olympics.

Blum arrived in Las Vegas in 1973 and broadcast UNLV Rebels football, basketball, baseball and was the voice of the Lady Rebels for 27 seasons. In all, he was a part of more than 3,000 events, ranging from high school, college and professional events. He was also the voice of Runnin' Rebel basketball when UNLV advanced to the school's first NCAA Final Four appearance in 1977.

Throughout his career, which involved real estate and operating radio stations, Blum has been honored on numerous occasions. He was inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame in 2007; UNLV Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2000 and Nevada Broadcast Association Hall of Fame in 1999. In 1998, he was honored at the All-American Football foundation banquet as its recipient of the Lindsay Nelson Sportscaster Award honoring individuals for lifetime achievement in the field of sports broadcasting. In 2003, Blum was named Nevada Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

In 2010, Blum became an author and wrote the book "Started Talking at 11 Months...Still Talking." Blum's close friend, the late John Wooden, wrote the Foreword for his book: "I have known Bob Blum for some seventy years, since he was a student in my English class at South Bend Central High School. He has been a friend of mine and my wife Nellie for all these years and it's nice to know he learned enough in class to write a book."

Funeral arrangements are pending and the 51s Media Relations Department will release information on the date of his service.