Gators football coach Urban Meyer pays respect to Robert A. Andreu, father of longtime UF football beat writer Robbie Andreu.
Robert A. Andreu would have turned 88 on Monday. Andreu passed away on Oct. 21, leaving behind three children, including son Robbie Andreu, the Gainesville Sun's longtime UF football beat writer.
Before Gators coach Urban Meyer opened his press conference on Monday, he delivered Andreu a special gift in honor of his father: a game ball from Florida's 34-31 win over Georgia on Saturday.
“I have a lot of respect for guys who care so much about their families,'' Meyer said. “I'd like to present your father with a game ball. Robbie is a good man.''
Meyer then read a couple of facts about the elder Andreu's life, including the fact he played football at Florida in 1941 before he enlisted in the Army for World War II. Mr. Andreu later returned to UF to earn his law degree.
According to Mr. Andrue's obituary from the St. Augustine Record, he was a native and lifelong resident of St. Augustine who served as the city attorney for many years before becoming a judge. He left UF shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 and served as a bombardier on a B-17 in 35 missions over Europe.
The obituary also included this about Mr. Andreu:
“An avid supporter of the University Florida and a lifelong Gators football fan, Andreu was known for the orange and blue cars he drove around town over the years and the large Gators flag that he flew in his front yard.''
