On the morning of Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, Richard Norman Bratt died at his home at the age 68. The service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 105 W. Lee St. in Winslow. The viewing will begin at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. All are invited and welcome to attend.
He was born in 1947 in East Liverpool, Ohio. Richard was the first child and only son of Richard W. and Georgia Bratt.
After graduating from Wellsville High School, Richard attended The Ohio State University and graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. Upon graduation, he accepted a teaching position in Holbrook, sight unseen; he then loaded up his Mustang and headed west to begin a new chapter in his life.
While teaching in Holbrook, Rich met and married Mary Ann Smith, who was teaching at Winslow High School. After teaching in Holbrook, Rich and his family moved to Joseph City, where he was the head varsity boys’ basketball coach for three years. He then became the head varsity boys’ basketball coach at WHS for 18 years. During that time, Rich also served as the golf coach for 15 years. At Winslow, Coach Bratt taught social studies, physical education and weights. Coach Bratt retired, and then taught and coached varsity boys’ basketball at Hopi, Ganado, Tuba City, St. Johns and Leupp.
He coached for a total of 31 years and achieved over 500 wins. During his career, he won 13 regional championships and was selected as Region Coach of the Year 11 times. Rich also coached the Arizona All Stars three times and was also honored as an Arizona All Star Dedicatee in 2000. Coach Bratt was one of the few coaches who had consistent state tournament appearances nearly every season and coached three state runner-up teams. One of his crowning achievements was being inducted into the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame in 2008.
Rich had many joys in his life. He was an avid golfer who especially loved to play with his dad and son. He loved watching the Buckeyes play. Running and lifting weights also brought him great enjoyment. Coaching was always on his mind and he was constantly drawing up basketball plays in his spare time. Rich loved to take his family to Ohio for summer vacations. He also loved to make traditional spaghetti sauce and maintain his yard. His players held a very special place in his heart and he truly loved to visit with them. Rich will be greatly missed by his family, former players and the community. Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann; his sister, Sandra Jean Dotson of Wellsville, Ohio; his son, Lt. Col. Richard (Nancy Cardon) Bratt of Madison, Ala., and their children, Ryan, Courtney and Kyle; his daughter, Monika (Gary) Cartee of Phoenix and their children, Kalli, Noah, Collin and Averi; his daughter, Kim (Steve) Henling of Winslow and their children, Talan, Tatum and Tobin; his daughter, Larissa (Jason) Richards of Winslow and their son, Callum; and his daughter, Christie Bratt of Winslow.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Richard W. and Georgia Bratt.
Greer’s Mortuary of Winslow was in charge of the arrangements.
