Some sad news to report today as former UVA great Bob Kowalkowski has passed away in Michigan. As a standout lineman at Virginia he was a two-time All-American, and in his senior campaign (1966), he was an Academic All-American. A talented and very tough offensive lineman, Bob played the game as it is supposed to be played, with passion. Only 65 years old when he passed, Bob played most of his NFL career in Detroit and was very active in the community. He was well known all over Michigan for his charity work. My close friend Judge Louis Lerner sent me the following email today about his friend Bob.
During the days that followed Ko’s career at Virginia he would return for the Alumni Football Game. The then current players would quake in their boots as Bob who played O’line for the Lions would line up on the defensive line just so he could deliver some shots to the neophytes.
I once was describing Bob to my son Patrick and Patrick said "Oh, he’s the kind of guy who did not suffer fools gladly." I replied, "No, he’s the kind of guy who did not suffer fools."
Al Groh had Ko back as a Guest Coach a few years back and he still gave off an ominous presence. In the Alumni Locker Room after the game, men who played with him and those that played against him in the aforesaid Alumni games approached him with much trepidation. It was fun to watch. He was a man. He’s here no more. God Rest his Soul. -Judge Louie Lerner