December 11, 2025
Pickleball’s Deadly Turn: Man Plunges to Death Mid-Match in Tragic Fall
Family Mourns 65-Year-Old Dad’s Shocking Accident at California Court, as Sport’s Boom Collides with Heartbreaking Reality The golden light of a California afternoon sun bathed the outdoor pickleball courts in Irvine on December 7, 2025, where the rhythmic thwack of paddles and laughter of players created a symphony of casual joy under the palm trees. For 65-year-old retiree Robert “Bob” Harlan, a beloved husband and father of two who had taken up the paddle just six months earlier to stay active with his wife, the Saturday doubles match felt like any other—a friendly rally with neighbors at the Woodbury Community












