Scottish journalist and broadcaster Bob Crampsey has died aged 78 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Although best known as a radio and TV commentator, Bob also penned columns for The Scotsman and the Evening Times, Glasgow, in which he supplied sought-after facts for grateful readers in Now You Know.

During his long and distinguished career Bob was known as a prolific historian of the game with an encyclopaedic knowledge of facts and figures.

In 1965, he even won the title of BBC Brain of Britain as well as making it through to the semi-finals of Mastermind in the 1970s.

Bob's was often called upon by newspaper editor's to pay tribute to former greats of the game who had passed on and continued to write for The Scotsman up until November 2006.

His last piece for the paper was about death of legendary Hungarian footballer Ferenc Puskas.

Born in Glasgow in 1930, Bob graduated from Glasgow University before serving in the RAF for three years up to 1955.

He began broadcasting in the early 1960s but bookended his journalism career working in education.

After leaving the RAF he became head of a high school in Coatbridge, east of Glasgow, and at the age of 74 was still teaching the American Civil War at Glasgow University.

He was also published author, writing biographies of merchant Sir Thomas Lipton and football manager Jock Stein as well as a memoir of a wartime childhood in Glasgow.

Bob, who died yesterday, is survived by his wife and four children.

A full tribute, written by The Scotsman's sports editor Donald Walker, can be read at www.scotsman.com.

Visit Lasting Tribute to leave your memories and tributes to Bob.

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