Roland H. LaVetter (February 10, 1940 – October 1, 2022} was many things to oh so many people over his whirlwind 82 years of life. Husband, father, grandfather, brother and son. A multitude of friends knew him as Rollie; several generations of his students addressed him as Mr. LaVetter; those he may have influenced the most knew him simply – and reverentially -- as Coach.

"This is Rolando" is how he would announce his presence later in life, usually over the phone. And what a presence it was; larger than life (or so it often seemed) whether it be in the house he and his devoted wife and confidante of more than 60 years, Beverly, shared with their beloved children Tobie Lynn and Lance in the Poet's Corner neighborhood in midtown Tucson; in the classrooms at Pueblo, Rincon and Catalina High Schools where he taught social studies and United States government for nearly three decades; and perhaps most powerfully of all, in the basketball gyms at Pueblo and then Rincon, where he established himself as a legend -- one of the greatest and most successful prep coaches in both the history of the city and state.

The Coach's boys basketball teams at Pueblo and Rincon won five league titles, four divisional crowns and his plucky Warriors won consecutive state championships in 1977 and 1978. Those undefeated 1978 Pueblo Warriors, led by one of Tucson's most heralded and accomplished players Lafayette (Fat) Lever, finished the season as the top ranked high school team in the Southwestern United States, were ranked No. 4 overall in the entire country, and are generally regarded as the greatest prep basketball team in Tucson history, if not the entire state.

A fierce competitor, Rollie's many accolades included being named Basketball Coach of the Year by the Arizona Daily Star, the Tucson Citizen, the Arizona Republic and the Phoenix Gazette. Those 1978 Warriors were proclaimed the High School Basketball Team of the 20th Century by the Arizona Daily Star. Even though his varsity boys coaching career was cut short by persistent physical ailments, Rolando also coached girls basketball at Rincon and then girls basketball and softball at Pueblo, which he enjoyed as much (and sometimes more) than coaching the boys.

In 1995, Coach LaVetter was inducted into the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame. But he was as much a mentor off the court as he was in the spotlight on it. He and Beverly's home became a refuge and abode to countless former students and athletes over the years, many of whom consider the LaVetters as family to this day. He fought and taught about social injustice his entire adult life. He delighted in Lance continuing the family calling of coaching basketball. And yes, Rolando had a softer side, which included his lifelong love of cars, he and Beverly's many dogs, the Chicago Cubs and later in retirement, the excursions he and Beverly took with family and friends to the faraway lands of Europe, Russia and China.

A quintessential Tucsonan, Roland attended Sam Hughes, Mansfeld, Tucson High (Class of 58), and graduated from the University of Arizona.  He is predeceased by his father Toby, mother Mary and cherished daughter Tobie Lynn. He is survived by Beverly and Lance, his daughter-in-law Michelle, granddaughter Delaney, his sister and brother-in-law Reva and Neal Manning and his nieces JaNeal, Melissa and Allison; his brother and sister-in-law Chuck and Diane LaVetter and his nephew David and niece Lisa. In lieu of flowers and gifts, donations can be made to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson.

https://www.bgctucson.org/support/individual-giving/

A celebration of life will be held this Saturday, October 15 ^th at 1pm at Pueblo High School (3500 S. 12 ^th Ave.) in the LaVetter Gymnasium.