House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement:

“The House Republican Caucus was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former colleague, Del. Bob Tata.

“If someone wrote a biography of Coach Tata and tried to sell it as a fictional story, no one would buy it, because it’s just too unbelievable. A child of Italian immigrants, he came to the Commonwealth as a student athlete at the University of Virginia. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions, but was cut in training camp. He served in the U.S. Army for two years.

“After he and Jeraldine ‘Jerry’ Morris were married, they moved to Norfolk where they both worked to educate Virginia’s children. It was here that he became Coach Tata, and earned his reputation as one of the best high school football coaches in our state’s history during his at time Norview High.

“His service in the House of Delegates was long and distinguished, and he made us all better public servants by his presence and example. While the time I spent with Bob in the House was short, I will always remember it fondly. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him, and our Commonwealth is lesser for his absence. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”