Bob Dibble, the former golf coach at Tusculum University, passed away at the Laughlin Healthcare Center in Greeneville on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 87.
His wife of 65 years, Cindy, and two children, Mark Dibble and Brett Dibble, preceded him in death.
Highlights
- Bob Dibble was only 87-year-old when he passed away at the Laughlin Healthcare Center on February 25, 2025.
- He followed his wife of 65 years, Cindy, and two children, Mark and Brett Dibble, who preceded him in death.
- He served in the United States Marine Corps and became a member of the Professional Golf Association in 1964.
Bob had one of the most successful and decorated coaching careers at Tennessee’s most historic university. He served as golf coach at Tusculum for 28 years.
From 1989 to 2017, he coached the men’s and women’s golf teams to extraordinary success, including 65 tournament titles and multiple conference championships.
He was the head golf professional at Link Hills Country Club in Greeneville from 1978 to 2000 and built one of the state’s strongest youth programs.
Bob was known for his mentorship, produced numerous standout players, and was named the recipient of the Art Argauer Award multiple times. Likewise, he was recognized nine times as conference coach of the year.
Unfortunately, his tragic demise saddens the whole community.
We have lost one of the legends of both our university and our community. He was an outstanding golf coach and the success of his teams and student-athletes speaks for itself. But Bob was much more than that. He loved and deeply cared for the players he coached. It was a ministry for him and his beloved wife Cindy… one of which they truly shined. He was a dear friend to us all and we will miss him very much.
Dom Donnelly, Associate Athletic Director of Communications
Bob Dibble’s Family Mourns The Tragic Loss
Bob Dibble, a native of Peoria, Illinois, became a professional in 1957 and joined the Professional Golf Association in 1964.
He was married to Cindy Dibbles for 65 years before her tragic demise on September 30, 2024.
Bob served in the United States Marine Corps and became a Midwest PGA President from 1971 to 1973. Later, he qualified for the PGA National Club Pro Championship thrice.
He was elected President of the NAIA Golf Coaches Association in 1998 and served as a rules official at the NCAA II Women’s National Championship on two occasions.
Similarly, he served on the NCAA II Women’s South Region selection committee.
Bob was inducted into the Tusculum University Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 and the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2017.
Furthermore, he mentored 57 All-American Scholars, 56 All-Conference performers, 11 Academic All-District selections, 9 SAC Scholar Athletes of the Year, 9 conference players, 6 Academic All-Americans, and 6 All-Region standouts.
“I have known Coach Dibble all my life and his impact on me personally and professionally was profound. Who would have known that the man who coached my youth basketball team, would later be one of my co-workers in college athletics. He impacted so many in his life journey, but none more important than being a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. I know he is smiling today because he is reunited with the love of his life, Cindy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Dibble Family and to the many student-athletes who got to call him Coach.
Josh Ealy, Tusculum Vice President for Athletics.
His daughter, Sandy; son-in-law, Clint; sons, Timothy Robert and Chris Dibble; and daughter-in-law, Valeria Dibble and Tammy Lohren, survive him.
He bonded with his grandchildren, Riley, Nikki, Cody, Amber, Shannon, Kaitlin, Maggie, Dieter, Tim, Marissa, Madison, Kennedy, Jami, and Jackson.
Moreover, he was a great-grandfather to Annalise, Les, Rian, Ben, Payton, Kason, Rylan, A.J., Daunte, Forrest, Olivia, and Jasmin.
His family will receive friends at Jeffers Funeral & Cremation Service on Friday, and his Graveside services will be on Saturday at 11 a.m. in Graceland Memorial Gardens.
The U.S. Marine Corps Honor Team and Greene County Honor Guard will convey military honors.
In place of flowers, the Dibble family requested donations to Tusculum University Golf, the Marine Corp League, or Link Hills Foundation in memory of Bob Dibble for junior golf.
Rest In Peace, Bob Dibble.
Additional Information
- Bob Dibble won the Tennessee PGA Horton Smith Award for his contributions to the game of golf.
- He led his Tusculum teams to eight conference championships while advancing to the national tournament six times.
- He coached the men’s team to 44 tournament titles and the women’s team to 21.
- He was honored with the Tennessee PGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year Award four times.
