Bob matriculated at Marietta College (OH) and transferred to Ithaca College (NY) to receive a BS degree in Physical Therapy. He did graduate work and taught classes as a graduate assistant at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He held various positions as an athletic trainer and physical therapist in New York, Michigan, Oklahoma, Georgia and Tennessee before coming to Chattanooga in 1980. In 1982, Bob became the Director of Sports Medicine at the Center for Sports Medicine and Othopaedics. During this tenure he was the team physical therapist for the Chattanooga Lookouts AA Baseball Club and adjunct athletic trainer for myriad southeast Tennessee and North Georgia high school sports programs. He served as a volunteer athletic trainer for the Tenth Pan American Games, US Olympic Committee (Colorado Springs), the 1996 Atlanta Olympic games and the 2004 Southern League Baseball All-star game. Bob also provided athletic training coverage for many recreational sports teams, AAU and Tennessee Sportsfest events. He served as an oral practical examiner for the NATABOC exams held in Tennessee.
Bob was a two term TATS President and long-standing TATS parliamentarian. As TATS Vice-president, Bob implemented the TATS Honors and Awards program and became Chair of the TATS Hall of Fame subcommittee upon its inauguration. These experiences inspired him to serve on the SEATA Hall of Fame committee and multiple NATA Honors and Awards committees. Bob received the TATS President Award of Merit and TSSAA A.F. Bridges Sportsmanship Award in addition to the NATA Athletic Trainer Service Award and Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award.
Bob acknowledges the support, sacrifice, and love of his wife, Elaine, and two daughters, Roberta and Renee, in the achievement of this professional recognition.
Bob’s athletic training volunteer service was one of enduring, endearing collegial relationships which served to enhance the quality of his life both personally and professionally. Gratitude for this involvement was conveyed in his quote from a PowerPoint slide: “Among my many blessings in life are the experiences, cherished memories and fond relationships that evolved from having served on this awards committee.”