Background
Vanatta, Bob was born on July 7, 1918 in Columbia, Missouri, United States. Son of Claude W. and Viola (Toler) Vanatta.
Vanatta, Bob was born on July 7, 1918 in Columbia, Missouri, United States. Son of Claude W. and Viola (Toler) Vanatta.
Bachelor, Central Methodist College, 1942. Master of Education, University Missouri, 1949.
Teacher, coach Boonville (Missouri) High School, 1942-1943, Kemper Military School, Boonville, 1943-1944, Springfield (Missouri) High School, 1944-1947. Teacher, director athletics, coach Central Methodist College, Fayette, Missouri, 1947-1950, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield, 1950-1953, coach two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics champions, 1950—1953. Coach United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, 1953-1954.
Director athletics, coach Bardley University, Peoria, Illinois, 1954-1956. Teacher, coach Memphis State University, 1956-1962, University Missouri, Columbia, 1962-1968. Bank marketing officer Empire Bank, Springfield, 1968-1971.
Professional basketball executive director Memphis Pros, 1971-1972. Teacher, coach Delta State University, Cleveland, 1972-1973. Director athletics Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, 1973-1977.
Commissioner Ohio Valley Athletic Conference, Nashville, 1977-1980, Trans American Athletic Conference, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1980-1983. Director athletics Louisiana Technology University, Rustin, 1983-1986. Commissioner Sunshine State Athletic Conference, Jupiter, Florida, 1986-1994.
Associate dir athletics Florida Atlantic University, coach basketball Central Methodist College, 1942, advisory committee member, Ragen Dean Stadium, since 2000.
Member National Football Foundation Hall of Fame Chapter, board member, 2008. Member National Association Basketball Coaches, American Football Coaches Association, National Association Collegiate Directors Athletics, All American Football Foundation (Bud Dudley Outstanding Executive award in Football, 2000, Asa Bushnell Commissioner award 2001), Palm Beach County Sports Commission, Lou Groza, PBCS (member Hall of Fame Committee).
Married Lois A. Williams. Children: Robert, Thomas, Timothy.