Robert M. Strupp

A lifelong sheepshead player, Bob Strupp wrote a little book that became, if not a bestseller, a consistent one. His "How to Play 'Winning' 5 Handed Sheepshead," first published in 1983, has sold 38,000 copies and is still available. Robert M. Strupp died of congestive heart failure July 16th, 2010. He was 85. Strupp was even involved in the effort - successful in 1983 - to have "The Noble Game of Sheepshead" declared Milwaukee's official card game. Strupp grew up in Milwaukee and began playing sheepshead at 14. His parents, Tom and Emily, ran Strupp's Home Bakery near N. 33rd and W. Clarke streets, and his buddies would come to hang out and play sheepshead.

"Our parents taught us," he said in a 1989 interview. "My parents, Tom and Emily, owned a bakery shop, and we'd all play sheepshead after the guys helped me clean the shop. We played 1, 2, 3 pennies." One penny was for schneider, two for no-schneider and three for a no-tricker. If you don't know what all this means, you probably need Strupp's book. The book actually started out in 1970 as an anonymous gift from Santa for friends in a couples card club. He signed it "Anon Amos X. Pert," though people seemed to know who thought he was an expert. Then others wanted the book, too.

In his non-sheepshead-life, Strupp became co-owner at the family bakery, specializing in decorating multilayer wedding cakes. He worked there for more than 20 years until Strupp's became another casualty of bakery departments in the bigger grocery stores. He went on to earn an associate degree in accounting from Milwaukee Area Technical College while working part-time at the U.S. Postal Service. He next worked as a cost accountant with local manufacturing firms, retiring from Banner Welding. Strupp kept playing sheepshead, though it became harder to find enough players as he outlived his lifelong friends. "He played with the nieces and nephews in recent years," his son said.

"Make Sheepshead a family tradition," he wrote in his book. "Remember a family that prays together and plays together, stays together."

Bob wrote about his book….

It's not a dry encyclopedia of rules. It describes the humor.history ,rules and strategy of the game and done in a humorous way..I've sold books all over the U.S. and in 8 foreign countriesand receive compliments of how easy it is to read and how helpful it is. I offer a money back guarantee. Sold over 31000 copies and only one person asked for her money back which I gave her. You'll love the book if you love Sheepsshead. author, Bob Strupp