Meet Rob Pelinka’s Parents: Robert Todd Pelinka Sr. and Carol Pelinka

Rob Pelinka, the respected president of basketball operations and general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers, has carved out a remarkable path in the NBA.

Before becoming a top executive, he was a successful sports agent, representing some of the league’s biggest names. Born Robert Todd Pelinka Jr. on December 23, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, he grew up in the nearby suburb of Lake Bluff, where basketball quickly became the center of his life.

Raised in a sports-driven household, Pelinka’s earliest influence came from his father, who coached at Lake Forest High School and introduced him to the fundamentals of the game. His upbringing instilled in him discipline, competitiveness, and a love for basketball that would later shape his career, both on and off the court.

Although Pelinka’s ethnicity is not officially documented, his family background suggests European-American roots, with origins in Minnesota and surnames indicating Central European heritage. Faith also plays a significant role in his life—he is a Christian and has openly spoken about how his beliefs guide his decisions and help him navigate the pressures of NBA leadership.

Pelinka’s parents were Robert Todd Pelinka Sr., a longtime educator and basketball coach who passed away in 2017, and Carol Pelinka, who provided constant support throughout his journey. He also has one sibling, an older sister named Sally Miller.

Education was another pillar in his upbringing. Pelinka starred as an All-American basketball player at Lake Forest High School before moving on to the University of Michigan. There, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with high honours in 1993, followed by a Juris Doctor degree cum laude in 1996.

Robert Todd Pelinka Sr.

Robert Todd Pelinka Sr., born in Faribault, Minnesota, was a dedicated educator and coach whose passion for basketball profoundly influenced his son, Rob Pelinka Jr.

For 32 years, Pelinka Sr. taught technology, architecture, engineering, and computer-aided drafting at Lake Forest High School in Illinois, where he also coached multiple sports, including basketball and football. His commitment to education and athletics earned him a reputation as an intense yet inspiring mentor who instilled discipline and a love for learning in his students and athletes.

Pelinka Sr. graduated with a bachelor’s degree in teaching industrial technology from the University of Southern Minnesota in 1964. After teaching and coaching at Elkton High School in Minnesota, he moved to Lake Forest High School in 1966, where he spent the majority of his career.

He later earned a master’s degree in educational supervision and administration from Roosevelt University in 1969 and a doctoral degree in ministry from Andersonville Theological Seminary in 2004. His multifaceted career as a teacher, coach, and academic showcased his dedication to shaping young minds, both in the classroom and on the court.

As a basketball coach, Pelinka Sr. was instrumental in teaching his son the fundamentals of the game. Growing up in Lake Bluff, Illinois, Rob Pelinka Jr. was immersed in basketball culture, often spending time at Lake Forest High School, where his father coached.

Pelinka Sr.’s guidance helped Rob develop into a standout high school player, earning All-American honours and leading Lake Forest High School to its first conference championship as a junior in 1987. Rob has often credited his father’s emphasis on discipline, faith, and excellence as pillars that guided his path to success.

In a 2022 interview with The Forest Scout, Rob recalled how his father’s coaching and the family’s regular presence at Lake Forest High School fostered his love for basketball, saying, “Lake Forest High School was the center of our family growing up.”

Pelinka Sr.’s influence extended beyond his son. Former students, such as Jane Cappeller, a licensed architect, praised his innovative teaching methods, including having students draw architectural plans of their homes to connect theory with practical application.

His dedication to coaching was equally impactful, with colleagues noting his ability to inspire young athletes, particularly freshmen, to develop a positive attitude toward sports.

Pelinka Sr. passed away on April 22, 2017, at the age of 76, due to complications from colon cancer, leaving behind a legacy of education, mentorship, and basketball passion. He was survived by his wife, Carol Pelinka; his daughter, Sally Miller Pelinka; his son, Rob Pelinka; and five grandchildren.

Carol Pelinka

Carol Pelinka, Rob’s mother, was the emotional cornerstone of the Pelinka family, providing unwavering support that complemented her husband’s coaching and teaching efforts.

Carol’s role as a devoted wife and mother was pivotal in creating a stable, nurturing environment for Rob and his sister, Sally. Described in Robert Sr.’s obituary as his “sweet wife,” Carol shared a deep partnership with her husband, raising their family in a household rooted in faith, academics, family, and sports—values that Rob has consistently credited for his success.

Growing up in the North Shore region of Chicago, Rob benefited from Carol’s encouragement as he navigated the demands of high school athletics and academics.

Her presence provided balance, allowing Rob to excel as a basketball standout at Lake Forest High School, where he averaged over 30 points per game, and as a scholar, later earning a Bachelor of Business Administration with a 3.9 GPA and a Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Michigan.

Carol’s support extended to Rob’s college years, where he became the first Michigan Wolverine to reach three NCAA Final Fours, and into his professional career as a sports agent and Lakers executive. Carol’s influence is also evident in the close-knit family dynamic she fostered. Rob has spoken about the importance of family in his life, a value instilled by both parents.

After Robert Sr.’s passing, Carol remained a significant figure in the family, supporting Rob as he took on high-profile roles, including representing NBA stars like Kobe Bryant and leading the Lakers to a 2020 NBA Championship.

Her enduring impact is reflected in Rob’s commitment to family, seen in his marriage to Kristin Brett Schwarz, a pediatrician, and their two children, Durham Pelinka and Emery Pelinka.