Bobby Gratz, who played for Vols, Knoxville educator, dies at 73

Bobby Gratz, alternate captain of the 1965 Tennessee football team and much-respected Knoxville educator, died Thursday in Knoxville. He was 73.

He started at right guard, playing at 5-foot-11, 204 pounds, and was a second team All-SEC selection that season. He also served as the president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on campus.

“The one thing you could say about Bobby as a player and a friend was that he was always willing to give of himself to invest in you,” said teammate Robbie Franklin. “The story behind his battle with cancer was people who visited him received a blessing from him more than what they were able to give.”

Gratz won the Maryville Daily Times Trophy, awarded annually to the senior Tennessee football player with the highest scholastic average. He was a student assistant in the football program in 1966.

He was a lifetime member of the University of Tennessee Lettermen’s T-Club and served as a member of the organization's Board of Directors.

As a coach, teacher, or administrator, he worked in virtually every feeder system in the city and county, specifically Bearden High, Powell High, Doyle High, Carter Middle, Gresham Middle, South-Doyle Middle, Holston Middle, and Halls Middle, as well as at Webb School.

He retired from the Knox County School system in 2006 as director of middle schools. In retirement, he continued to teach and mentor prospective teachers at South College and Carson-Newman College. He also served as an evaluator for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, a Career Ladder evaluator, and as president of the Tennessee Association of Middle Schools.

He was football coach at Bearden from 1974-76.

Gratz remained active through participating in the Senior Olympics, becoming a multi-medalist.

Among his survivors are his wife, Brenda Gratz, and daughter, Stephanie Conner. 

The family will receive friends at Fountain City United Methodist Church, 212 Hotel Road, on Jan. 5 from 5-7 p.m. with a Celebration of Life Service to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the University of Tennessee Bobby Gratz Athletic Scholarship, c/o Nate Warren, Director of Annual Giving, University of Tennessee, Brenda Lawson Athletic Complex, 1551 Lake Loudon Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37996, or the Fountain City United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, 212 Hotel Road, Knoxville, TN 37918. 

Tom Mattingly is a freelance contributor.