Punxsutawney Phil protector dies at age 70

PUNXSUTAWNY, Penn. - Friends of Phil, it is with great sadness to inform you of the recent passing of “His Protector.”

According to the Punxsutawney Phil Facebook page, Bob Roberts, 70,  affectionately called “His Protector” passed away Wednesday in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Roberts was a member of the Groundhog Club Inner Circle, donning a top hat and tails on Groundhog Day, since 1991.

Roberts was Chair of the Marketing Committee, Gobbler's Knob Building Chair, and Picnic Co-Chair.  He did bus tour presentations, school visits, tours at the Knob with students, organized the elderly care gift drive, and always helped with the trail at the Knob. Roberts set-up and then cleaned up after every Groundhog event.

Bob Roberts was Punxsutawney's Man of the Year in 2010.

Get to know more about Bob: Groundhog Day Club