Bob Tata

Robert Tata (January 27, 1930 – June 11, 2021) was an American politician. A Republican and the member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1984 to 2014, representing the 85th district in Virginia Beach.[1][2] Tata announced that he would not run for reelection in 2013.[3]

Bob Tata
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 85th district
In office
January 11, 1984 – January 8, 2014
Preceded byJulie Leonard Smith
Succeeded byScott W. Taylor
Personal details
Born(1930-01-27)January 27, 1930
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedJune 11, 2021(2021-06-11) (aged 91)
Stanardsville, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMartha Jeraldine Morris
ResidenceVirginia Beach, Virginia
Alma materUniversity of Virginia
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service1954–1956

Early life

Tata was born and raised in Detroit, the son of Italian immigrants. He attended the University of Virginia, where he played varsity football and baseball. He was drafted in 1953 by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, but was cut in training camp. He returned to Charlottesville, Virginia to complete his B.S. degree in education and met his future wife, Martha Jeraldine "Jerry" Morris, while doing his student teaching.[1][4] Tata served in the United States Army 1954–1956. He and his wife then moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where they both took school jobs. Tata later received an M.S. degree in guidance and counseling from the University of Virginia.

Coaching career
Bob Tata
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1956–1957Norfolk Catholic HS (VA)
1963Apprentice
1965NGranby HS (VA)
1967–1979Norview HS (VA)
Head coaching record
Overall3–3–2 (college)

Tata spent about 30 years as a teacher and guidance counselor in the Hampton Roads area; he spent a number of those years serving as a football coach at the schools where he worked. At his first stop, Norfolk Catholic High School, his teams were 8–81 in the 1956 and 1957 seasons. Tata was the 19th head football coach at The Apprentice School in Newport News, Virginia and he held that position for the 1963 season. His coaching record at Apprentice was 3–3–2.[5][6]

In 1965, his only year as head coach at Granby High School, the team went 10−1, losing only the state championship game.[4][7] He then coached at Norview High School 1967 to 1979, winning six district championships with an overall record of 101−32−2.[4][8]

Personal life and death

Tata taught for 40 years, and served for four years on the Virginia Beach School Board.

The Tatas had two sons and a daughter. Their son Robert M. Tata attended the United States Naval Academy and became a captain in the United States Naval Reserve and a lawyer. He is married to Anne Ferrell Tata, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Their other son Anthony J. Tata is a West Point graduate who rose to the rank of brigadier general in the United States Army and is a novelist. Their daughter, Kendall, went to the University of Virginia and James Madison University, and is a Virginia Beach high school teacher and track coach.[4]

Tata died on June 11, 2021, in Standardsville, Virginia.[9]

References
  1. "Virginia House of Delegates 2013; Delegate Robert Tata". Virginia House of Delegates. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  2. "Re-Elect Bob Tata, Virginia House of Delegates, 85th District". Archived from the original on August 24, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  3. Lewis, Bob (April 3, 2013). "In Virginia reconvened session, Putney heads august class of retiring lawmakers bidding adieu". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 15, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  4. Minium, Harry (January 30, 2006). "Delegate says he is nearing end of his public life". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  5. Apprentice Builders coaching records Archived December 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. "Apprentice School football timeline". Daily Press. December 27, 1920. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
  7. Molinaro, Bob (November 23, 2006). "A feast from the past. Remember when?". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  8. "Career coaching records; non-active coaches". VirginiaPreps.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  9. "Robert Tata Obituary (1930 - 2021) - Stanardsville, VA - Daily Progress". Legacy.com.
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