Bobby Bend was born in Polar Point, Manitoba on April 16, 1914. He began to umpire when he was just 16 years old, and continued umpiring games in the Interlake region for some 50 years after that. He was also a member of the 1954-1960 Brandon Cloverleafs, who won eight consecutive Central Manitoba Baseball Association Championships during this time. Bend was very well respected by managers, players, and other umpires throughout the province. He was elected to the Manitoba Baseball Association Honour Society in 1981, and he was a school teacher, principal, and superintendent. Bend also served in politics as the Independent MLA for the Rockwood constituency. He later joined the Liberal Party, where he served as the Minister of Health and the Minister of Education.
