This was shared at Bob Riley’s Funeral Mass on July 3, 2020, by Billy Anderson.
Good afternoon, my name is Billy Anderson and I am one of many fortunate players that was touched by Coach Riley during my years at Sam Houston State University. As you can see by the people around you, Coach Riley lived a full – rich life.
Coach Bob Riley was born in New Hampshire & raised in Massachusetts. He spent his youth playing on the beaches, swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and ice-skating on frozen cranberry bogs.
But when playing football games as a kid, he had to share a single helmet with his friends, probably leather, Young Bob, the football player, realized that they only gave the helmet to the one running with the ball and everyone knew who was getting the ball. That is when Bob, the young coach, realized how important the position was and fell in love with how to protect the running back. AND the gift of coaching began.
Back in those days, organized sports did not begin until high school. At Gloucester High, he excelled in hockey, long distance running & football. For those Sam Houston coaches that gave Coach Riley the nickname of Bullet, you named him well because he was a bullet winning the mile run at the State Track Meet in Massachusetts running a 4:39 mile on a dirt track.
Coach Riley was drafted into the Army and was fortunate to be a member of one of the Army’s football teams, bunking and playing alongside several NFL players who were also drafted during the Korean Conflict. It was through these relationships that Coach was offered a college scholarship to play football at Northern State in Aberdeen, South Dakota. In 1959, armed with his college degree, Bob began his love affair with coaching and teaching in Wyoming. At a Wyoming Track Meet, Coach Riley was introduced through mutual friends to the New love of his life, Peggy Curfman, and her 2 sons, Kenny and Bobby. They became a family in August 1962. Yup! During the Off Season.
During the next 9 years, as most coaches do, he moved up and moved around through the coaching ranks, from high school, junior college, and university, and his beautiful family also began to grow. Their oldest daughter, Jennifer, was born in Wyoming. And then daughters, Stephanie, and Patty on their next stop in Nebraska. And finally, the baby boy, Kevin was born in Montana. Bob, Peggy, and family met and became friends with lots of great families, players and communities while in Wyoming, Nebraska, and Montana.
In 1979, being told that everything is bigger and better in Texas, Bob and Peggy brought their 4 youngest children to Texas. The coaching and moving continued in Texas until 1982. In 1982, Bob Riley was introduced to Ron Randleman and the Bearkat family in Huntsville, TX. These 2 coaches along with other assistants, graduate assistants, and players would go on to start the Bearkat Family and traditions of deep and lasting friendships which many of us still honor today.
In 1985, I drove into this old gym and ROTC building to meet with someone about playing football at Sam. Coach Gibson remembered me from Greenville HS but said they had no additional scholarships to give. I told him that it was OK. I will outwork anyone they brought in and I will earn my way on the team. Coach Riley stopped looked me up and down, all 5’8, 145 pounds and said “Yeah! I like this KID!” and walked away. 2 years later, I started attending church here, and realized that Coach and his family were sitting in the same church. I really started to pay attention to Coach and his family and watched how he treated people. He loved His God and his God loved him. He loved his family and they loved him. He loved his players and we loved him too. Later when I had my own family and was coaching here in Huntsville, I introduced my wife and new family to Mrs. Riley and the rest of Coach’s family and continued the friendship throughout the years.
In 1995, Bob retired from full-time coaching and teaching at Sam. It was their dream to own a cabin in Wyoming. So along with Peggy’s brother and sister-in-law they bought a cabin in the Snowy Mountain Ranges of Wyoming, and spent the summers making memories with their children and grandchildren. Hiking, fishing, chopping wood and roasting marshmallows were some of the Riley Family favorite pastime. Bob’s grandchildren learned much about his life experiences from the stories he told around the campfire. Probably about those crazy players he had to deal with at Sam Houston.
In 2010, under head coach and dear friend, Willie Fritz, the Bob Riley Spirit Award was created. The player selected must possess: Loyalty, selflessness, toughness, compassion, enthusiasm, and love of Sam Houston State University and it’s Bearkats and also puts Team before self in practice and games.
The family would like to thank the many of you who visited and sent him your Video’s. He had an opportunity to see all of them on Father’s Day. A total of 90 messages from his family, friends, coaching colleagues, and former players. He sat focused on the TV screen and listened to so many beautiful messages. You would have thought he was analyzing Film. There seemed to be an underlying theme in the videos that centered on gratitude. Gratitude from his family and friends for taking an interest in their lives, for guiding and celebrating them and making priceless memories along the way. There was also gratitude from his players and coaches for impacting and changing their lives through his passion for football. Coach Riley was so touched by these messages and perhaps, this incredible display of love and appreciation is what gave him the comfort and realization that his legacy will live on here through us. And so, he was able to accept his Final coaching assignment in Heaven.
Coach’s favorite motto from Sam Houston State University says, “The measure of a life is its service”. Coach Riley served well! As we think of Coach Riley in the days and years ahead, let us all remember to serve others with the passion and enthusiasm that he showed us through his life.
Before I end, let me share another memory of Coach Riley. I was known as the smallest Bearkat. I finally caught up! I came up against a player twice my size in Practice and gave him all 5’8, 145 pounds. As he walked by, Coach slapped me on the butt and said, “Well done”. As I am sure he has done for many players throughout his coaching career. And now, that he has reached the final goal line, his Coach can slap him on the butt and say well done!
To Mrs. Riley, most coaches in the room realize that it takes a special woman to be a Coach’s wife. To Stephanie, Patty and Kevin, being a Coach’s kid is sometimes fun, but most of the times it is hard, trying to be perfect and trying to live up to expectations. While trying to find your own identity. So, I just want to thank you for sharing your dad with the rest of us.
Well love you Coach Riley. You will be missed. Thank you! It was truly a life well-lived.