Robert "Bobby" Lance

I met Bobby Lance some 40 years ago. I recieved a call from his brother Sims today telling me that Bobby had died on the tennis court. I told Sims that I know that was the way he would have wanted to go. I will always cherish my association with Bobby and fondly remember our trips and interactions. He was truly one of a kind.

I graduated DB with Bobby in '52 ! Had the opportunity to visit briefly with him at our last two re-unions--but had no idea about his outstanding athletic career-except last year when he was "finally" inducted into the DB Hall Of Fame !!--Even then he had told no one ahead of time !! Wish we had visited more !

Hi my name is Lou , Bobby was one of my favorite regulars at McCabe pub....He would always mess with me about something....but it was always in good fun! Sorry for your loss..and I will miss you Bobby!P.s. if you have a current picture of him I would love a copy?
sincerely, Lou Deighan
and all his friends at McCabe Pub

Bobby and I were neighborhood friends in Kingsport. He was a fun person to be around. For sure, he was one of the greatest athletes to come out of Dobyns-Bennett HS. Not only was a good at football and track, he was a great basketball player. I say him play in several city league games. He was good at the Globetrotter routines. Bobby came to Kingsport twice in the past few years, and we renewed our friendship. I will miss him.

Our sincere sympathy to Bobby's family. He was a blessing to all those who knew him. He will be missed.

First of all, my deepest condolences to Bobby's family. He left us too soon,and I will cherish the many memories I have of Bobby, his smile. his stories, his sheer strength of personality. What a raconteur! I could --and frequently did-- listen to his great stories and jokes. Seeing Bobby instantly made me feel better. I knew he would make me laugh, and we would instantly fall into an intense discussion about a game or a player or a coach, and I'd always learn something. I also loved his...

I didn't know Bobby that well but had the pleasure of watching and chatting with him at Vanderbilt tennis matches. Extremely funny, engaging and knowledgeable and obviously a great athlete in his day - I'll miss seeing him there.
My condolences to his family and loved ones.

Bobby Lance was a true friend and one of the nicest gentlemen I've ever met in my life. After recently attending his 75th Birthday, my wife and I discussed on the way home what a gift he had of always finding a way to compliment the people around him. Whenever you saw Bobby, you knew he had a word of encouragement for you. Incomparable man.

I always knew there was something special about my cousin Bobby. Until I read his obituary I was unaware of all his athletic accomplishments - I'm amazed and proud. It tickles me to know more of our family history in athletics with Bobby's Uncle Fletcher (my Dad) and his accomplishments at Georgia Tech coupled with Bobby at U of F. I wish I had known Bobby better - I always admired him and remember fondly parking cars with him and Lee at Nashville's baseball games. A walk down memory lane...