Birth date: Sep 30, 1958 Death date: Sep 17, 2019
Robert "Bob" Rozell Obituary A memorial ceremony honoring the life of Robert R. "Bob" Rozell will be held 2:00 PM Monday, September 23, 2019 with a reception to follow, both at RiverCrest Chapel in Bixby. Bob passed away Tuesday, Read Obituary
I never met Bob, formally, although we had a brief and meaningful encounter on the football field in Eden, Texas one cool fall night in 1976. I was a Senior at Richland Springs High School and Bob a Senior at Eden. The Bulldogs were the only thing standing between us and the district championship that year. Our coaches told us if we could stop the big fullback from running up the middle, then victory would surely be ours. Coach even moved me from my usual defensive end position to tackle, so I could plays head to head with Bob Rozelle. Eden won the Coin toss and chose to receive the ball. The Coyotes kicked the ball and the Bulldogs began the offensive attack. In that first series of downs, was the third down and short yardage when they handed the ball to Bob, and we collided at the line of scrimmage. At that moment I knew we had a long night ahead of us. We connected with such force that something snapped in my left hand, and when I looked I saw the long bone in my thumb had snapped in two. On small teams like ours, most players play on offense as well as defense, and I was no exception. I begged coach to let me keep playing, at least on one or the other. They wrapped my hand up and kept me in on offense the rest of the night, but Bob and I would not make contact again until after the game, when both teams lined up and shook hands. I congratulated Bob and his teammates on their victory that night, and that’s the last time I saw him. He had my respect and admiration from that night on, and I never forgot him. The young man was as strong and solid a player as I had ever seen! I have treasured the memory of that night for over 40 years now. I offer my most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Bob’s wife and kids and friends. I’m sorry our paths never crossed after that fateful night, but oh, what a memory! Perhaps we’ll meet again in Glory and reminisce!
Robbie I’m so thankful for the couple of times that we got to talk. Very sad that I never got to meet you, but just know your Parker family loves you. Rest in peace cousin.
I remember when I was maybe 2 or 3 years old. Robert would come home from school kicking rocks. Then we would go in and watch tv. He would lay down on the couch and I would get behind him and push till we both would wind up in the floor laughing. That is the only memories of Robert. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing and any chance of every knowing him as an adult. My deepest sympathy to his family.
