Robert Nathan Biletnikoff

Robert Nathan Biletnikoff, age 74, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, passed away Monday, November 12, 2018, in Crestview, Florida.  He was born August 2, 1944, in Erie, Pennsylvania, the son of Ephriam and Natalie Biletnikoff.

Bob was a 1963 graduate of Technical Memorial High school in Erie where he lettered in football, basketball, track, and his favorite sport, baseball.  In 1990, he was inducted into the Erie Sports Hall of Fame.  He attended the University of Miami on scholarships where he became the starting quarterback for the Hurricanes his sophomore and junior years before becoming the number one draft pick of the New York Yankees in the 1967 Winter Baseball Draft. One of his amazing times on the college football field was the day he scored three touchdowns during a three-minute span to win over Tulane. He signed with the Yankees and spent four seasons before quitting at age 24. 

He was asked by the Yankees to return, and also received an offer to play backup quarterback with the New York Jets.  After deciding it would be difficult to return to football after such a long layoff, Biletnikoff decided to get his degree in marketing and management.  He worked in the insurance business for 16 to 17 years in the Miami area and several years in Panama City, Florida before deciding to pursue his teaching certificate.  Bob was hired in 1989 as the Transitional Specialist in Walton County, left in 2000 for a job at Arnold High School in Bay County, and returned to Walton County in 2006.  Bob stated he loved his new career because of the satisfaction he received when he worked with the kids both on and off the sports field.  After retirement, he loved playing golf four days a week at the DeFuniak Springs Country Club.  When Bob was asked, “What was your greatest thrill?” he replied it was the first time in training with the Yankees when he looked over and saw he was on the same field with Mickey Mantle and Joe De Maggio.

He is preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kenneth Biletnikoff.

“Bob”, as he was known to family and friends, is survived by his loving wife, Brenda Biletnikoff; children, Brian Biletnikoff of Panama City, Florida and Tish Harris of Brookneal, Virginia; two grandchildren, Michael Biletnikoff and Alex Harris; and one brother, Fred Biletnikoff of Sacramento, California. 

In keeping with Bob's wishes there will be no services.