Robert Reed Sanderlin
Dr. Robert Reed Sanderlin, 87, former professor of English and University of Tennessee Chattanooga (UTC) Golf Coach Emeritus, died on December 10, 2024, at home surrounded by his family, after a lengthy struggle with lung disease.
Reed grew up in Memphis, and graduated in 1955 from Humes High School, the same high school attended by Elvis Presley. He received a B.S. in Psychology and English and an M.A. from the University of Memphis. He later attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where he earned a PhD in American Literature and American Culture. He also completed post-doctoral work at Harvard University in the study of religion in American culture.
Reed taught at North Carolina State University and the University of Southern Mississippi until coming to UTC in 1969. A beloved English professor at UTC for 35 years, Reed also taught masters level courses in the Industrial and Organizational Psychology program for several years. In addition to teaching, Reed coached the UTC men’s golf team from 1977 until 2005.
His various awards included Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Outstanding Professor, UTC Alumni Teaching Award, and a Special Services Award from the Southern Humanities Council. In 1987 he was voted the Southern Conference Coach of the Year and in 2007 was inducted into the UTC Athletics Hall of Fame. During his retirement Reed continued to teach a course each semester at UTC and also tutored in the Writing Center at Chattanooga State.
Reed had an extraordinary capacity for teaching, learning and giving to others, which was evidenced by his involvement with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. As a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Reed also developed and presented numerous Christian Education classes on numerous theological topics of interest.
Most importantly, Reed was a devoted and loving husband to Carla, his wife of 33 years. He was a loving and proud father to his two daughters and he was immensely proud of and dearly loved his granddaughter and his son-in-law. It would be an understatement to say he looked forward to and thoroughly enjoyed the many family birthday and holiday celebrations and summer trips to the beach. Over the years he also enjoyed many hobbies such as fly fishing, traveling, reading, barbecuing, and most recently working his daily Wordle.
Most of all he enjoyed playing golf with his many friends and especially his regular groups from Signal Mountain Golf and Country Club and Black Creek Club where he was a member since 2005.
Reed was predeceased by his adoptive parents, Oliver B. and Retta Sanderlin of Memphis, and his mother, Virgina Gordon, stepfather, Nathan Gordon of Morrilton, Arkansas, and cousin Lee McGill Jones of Scearcy, Arkansas.
Reed is survived by his wife, Carla Andrews Sanderlin, his children, Renee Cohn (Mike) of Atlanta, Sheri Sanderlin (Kim Gzeckowizc) of Atlanta, granddaughter, Berkley Sanderlin Cohn of Utah. He is also survived by his cousin, Allen Gordon (Phyllis) of Morrilton, Ar., his sister-in-law, Michele Sabol, Mother-in-law Gael Bourquin, and brother-in-law, Steven Andrews (Lisa) of Lima, Ohio. He is also survived by his faithful pet companion, Nico.
Reed will be remembered for his wisdom, quick wit, integrity and irreverence as he touched the life of many friends, family and hundreds of students and golfers over the years. He was known affectionately as “Coach” to his UTC golf team members and friends and “Dr. Sanderlin” to his former students.
The family would like to thank Reed’s team of doctors at Memorial Hospital, Hearth Hospice and Right At Home caregivers for their excellent care. In addition, the family would like to express their gratitude to the many friends who delivered meals, made pharmacy and grocery runs and assisted in many other ways.
A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Jan. 17, at 11 a.m. with a reception following at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CHI Memorial Foundation, 2525 de Sales Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37404, the men’s golf program at UTC at give.utc.edu/reedsanderlin, or by going to mckameyanimalcenter.org and clicking donate.
Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.