Warner University Sports Hall of Fame
Bob Coates was known around the Royals baseball team and the Warner Athletic Department for his outstanding work as the photographer for the baseball team and contributing to the historical records kept by the Sports Information Department. Â
Since the spring of 2005 when his grandson, Derrick Comparato, came to pitch for the Royals, Coates spent every season capturing action photos for players and their families.Â
Even after his grandson graduated from Warner University, Coates returned the next spring and hardly missed a game, home or away, in eight years of dedicated service to the Royals; and all of it out of the generosity of his heart.
His photos connected different generations of players and left them with hundreds of photos and memories to share with their families. His greatest gift of all, however, was the life he lived everyday for our Lord Jesus Christ.
On August 25, 2012 Coates passed away from pancreatic cancer. He and his wife Joann have eight children, six daughters and two sons. We are joined by his wife and daughters Lisa and Laurie.
