May God bless you and your...
Rest in peace, I remember your days @ the U, always down to earth, enjoyed our compliance meetings. Feel free!!! U made that Defensive front the BEST!!
Paul Harley
Paul Harley
August 23, 2015 | Wakefield, MI
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Obituary
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) - Bob Karmelowicz, a football coach with three-plus decades of experience, has died. He was 60.
The Detroit Lions, who employed Karmelowicz as defensive line coach last year, announced Sunday he passed away the previous day because of an illness.
"Bob touched many lives throughout his years of coaching and positively impacted the careers of countless players at both the collegiate and professional level," Lions president Tom Lewand said in a statement sent by the team. "While he was only with the Lions for one season, his contributions to our team last year were greatly appreciated and he will be missed by all of us."
Karmelowicz spent the past 18 seasons as a defensive line coach in the NFL with Detroit, the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals.
He was with the Miami Hurricanes from 1989-91, helping Warren Sapp go from tight end to defensive tackle. Sapp posted a message on his Twitter account that Karmelowicz asked and made him switch positions.
"Sad Day," Sapp wrote on the website. "We Lost a Great PASS Rushing Technique Coach!! He Really Knew His Stuff!! RIP COACH!"
Karmelowicz is from Plainville, Conn., and played at the University of Bridgeport. He also coached at Washington State, Illinois, UNLV, Texas-El Paso, Massachusetts and Arizona State.
"I've had the privilege of coaching with and against 'Karm' for a long time and he was one tough guy," Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said in the team statement. "Though his coaching success on the field speaks for itself, I will always remember him for how much he loved kids, his compassion for helping kids and how much he cared for his grandkids. That will always be his lasting impression on me."
Karmelowicz is survived by his wife, Olga, daughters, Liz and Marissa, and son, Dave.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
Guest Book
Coach Karm I am forever great cup for having you as my Coach at UTEP in 1981! I wish you would had been my coach for all 4 years! I learned a lot from you and was so happy to dee you coaching at University of Mami when the won the Championship! My best to your family!
Bill Turner UTEP 1981-85
Bill Turner
December 15, 2014 | Tularosa, NM
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I was actually Bob's roommate at UB for one semester. He left a lasting impression, even though we never socialized and this was over 46 years ago. I remember that Bob stood up to some of his football friends that tried to bust my chops and told them to back off. I always appreciated that and his basic decency as a person. Glad he seemed to have a good life but left us too soon. His family should know he was a stand up, good guy, even as a college kid.
WALTER
September 21, 2014 | NY
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milford high school 1974
i met coach bob in 1974 at milford high school milford ct he was young,,,, fresh from UB and then semi pro. as a young high school player i looked up to him. one day i missed a assignment he told to just start running i think he forgot about me because i ran the hole practice well the the rest is history
michael fonck
July 05, 2014 | Queens, NY
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Coach Karm IS one of the greatest.
I have had the please of getting to know him as a legend and as a friend during the years at the Cincinnati Bengals training camp (Wilmington, OH). At the time, I was a ball boy and my dad a coach for the team. Everything seemed larger than life. Whether he offered his car so I could take a date out or razzed me and my brother for being a bit blurry eyed during the very early AM practices (after what was safely assumed as a late night out, or even helped...
travus pope
July 03, 2014 | Naples, FL
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gona miss you bob best grandpa ever!!!
Jack M
May 13, 2011 | Olathe, KS
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To Olga and family: Bob and I go way back. We played against each other on Thanksgiving Day in high school. I attended Southington High. Then we found ourselves playing on the same side at UB. I was on the opposite side of the line as Bob. I have such fond memories of our times at UB. Eventhough we haven't spoken since college my deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. I know he will be missed.
Paul Rossman Pine Meadow, CT
November 29, 2010
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Dear Olga,
Over the years I would pull up Bob's name and see what team he was with. I was stunned to see that Bob was not with us anymore. I am so sorry. I remember all the fun we had looking for a house in Kansas City. Bob was so patient with me since you all were my first sale. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Bob was a great guy and will be missed.
Bonnie Baker
October 20, 2010 | Clearwater, FL
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89 D Line before Notre Dame Victory
Coach Karm, the season we spent together at THE U in '89 was the best of my life. I will never forget the respect and dignity you afforded me on the field as your "DLine QB" .... We had College Football's most DOMINANT D LINE EVER that year and it was a tribute to you as a coach and person. All of us "Slappy's" loved you. My ongoing prayers and thoughts of sympathy go to your family and friends. God bless and Rest In Peace.
Jeff Dever
July 28, 2010 | Wellington, FL
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