Bob Kreydatus and Ted Phillips are quiet men, so you might not know if they’re exceptional, or possess characteristics that stand far above others.

They each made an impression in The Citizen Masters men’s bowling tournament, which ended last weekend at Rainbow Lanes. Kreydatus placed third and Phillips was sixth. At specific times in the event, each was in a position to realistically win the title.

Ironically, eventual champion Steve “Tiger#” Suslik stood in their way, tagging crucial losses on both players.

But bowling was only part of their story.

Kreydatus, 66, was in a car crash in the late 1970s. His vehicle was T-boned. His right arm and shoulder were pulled apart, and his left ankle was shattered. Doctors said he would never walk again. But after a six-month recovery period on crutches, he slowly came back.

He’d never thrown a bowling ball before the accident, but two years later decided to take up the game. Clearly, he’s gotten good at it. He has an 857 three-game series, second highest ever in Auburn history, and a Senior Masters title to his credit.

Kreydatus still has pain in his ankle. It needs time to loosen up before he bowls. To keep competing, he must take Ibuprofen and painkillers, he said. He could have the bone fused to eradicate the hurt, but it would hinder the flexibility in his foot and virtually end his bowling career. So he just goes on.

Last weekend, he used a spare ball that belonged to his old friend, Ralph Pezone, who passed away suddenly several years ago. They were buddies who went to tournaments together.

“I guess that’s my way of keeping Ralph in the game, because he loved to bowl,” Kreydatus said.

Phillips has been bowling 14 years but a sore left elbow has limited him to occasional subbing recently. Still, the 40-year-old keeps in touch with the game, and he didn’t want to miss the Masters.

“Bowling is like an extended family for me,” he said. “I love the camaraderie of it. In the Masters, I get to bowl with Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers. It’s such a good time.”

Phillips has had his own success. In 2003, the lefty started with a 215 game and then rolled back-to-back 300s, his first-ever perfect games, for an 815 series.

About four years ago, a friend of Phillips donated his hair to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hairpieces to financially disabled children in North America suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Phillips liked the idea, and did the same.

He grew his hair to shoulder length, which required him to wear a ponytail for his job at McQuay. Still, he was undeterred.

“For me, it was a commitment to a cause,” he said. “I was comfortable with it.”

Two quiet men and excellent bowlers. Bob Kreydatus and Ted Phillips came up short in their efforts to win The Citizen Masters this year, but there is no lack of honor and thoughtfulness in their lives.