Robert Michael O'Connor Jr.

1961 - 2021

Robert Michael O'Connor, Jr.
October 4, 1961 - January 14, 2021
Heber, Utah - Although Bob O'Connor played many a great game of football at Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma and for the Vanderbilt University Commodores, he lost the game of life this past week to ALS. Bob went peacefully in his sleep at home in Heber, Utah, surrounded by the love of his family.
The second of five children, Bob was born in Oak Park, Illinois, to Robert O'Connor Sr. and Albertine Dunne.
Bob graduated from Bellarmine Prep in 1979. He loved being a Lion and battling on high school gridirons all across Washington. As a senior, Bob earned all-state honors, and played in the annual East-West All-Star Game as a defensive end. During the Spring, he ran track as a high hurdler, and still holds the Bellarmine school record.
Bob won a football scholarship to Vanderbilt, where he played as a strong-side linebacker for 5 years. He reveled in Tennessee life with his teammates, on and off the field. The pinnacle of Bob's Vandy career was being named an All-Southeast Conference linebacker in his senior year, and playing in the Hall of Fame Bowl.
In the next phase of life, Bob applied lessons from his years on the field to coaching and teaching, first at Central Kitsap High School in Silverdale. Later, with his first wife, Lori Hodson, and their three beloved children, the O'Connor family moved to Park City, Utah. The following 23 years spent as an educator and administrator in the Park City School district were the best of Bob's life. As principal of Park City High School, he thrived as an advocate for all students and staff. These beloved people in Park City formed Team O'Connor to help Bob through his years with ALS. Their motto, adopted from Steve Gleason – a fellow Washingtonian, football player, and ALS-sufferer – was "No White Flags!"
Bob O'Connor will be remembered as a player, coach, educator, and father – but mostly for the values he lived: unconditional love, forgiveness, believing in oneself, appreciating every facet life has to offer, loving beyond measure, and staying faithful and strong in the face of adversity. He touched the lives of thousands of students, staff, and players.
Bob's warm smile and the twinkle in his eyes was made brighter by his favorite players: his children Caitlin (John Hanks), Paddy (Silvia Tristan), and Brian; and his loving wife, Elizabeth Weiss.
Bob's family and friends will miss him deeply, on the slopes, in the stands, hunting birds, watching sports, roaming the school halls, and cooking like Emeril.
Bob loved a good party!! Regrettably, the pandemic makes a proper and worthy celebration of his life unsafe at this time. As we learn what a post-covid gathering looks like, we will make details public.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Team Gleason at www.TeamGleason.org. You may leave a message, memory, or picture on Bob's tribute wall at www.ProbstFamilyFunerals.com/obituaries/Robert-O-Connor-8.