By Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
The Haughton community mourns the loss of a beloved coach, mentor, and public servant as Robert John “Bob” Brotherton, Jr. passed away in the early hours of Monday, January 13, 2025. Known affectionately as “Coach,” “Pops,” and “Poppa,” Brotherton left an indelible mark on those who knew him, passing after a valiant battle with multiple illnesses, including kidney and congestive heart failure.
Born on November 4, 1951, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Brotherton spent most of his life in the Haughton area. A 1970 graduate of Haughton High School, he went on to earn a master’s degree and advanced certifications at Northwestern State University and Louisiana Tech University.
In 1975, Brotherton began a storied 33-year career at Haughton High, where he served as head track coach, assistant football coach, classroom teacher, and driver’s education instructor. A decorated coach, he earned accolades such as District Track Coach of the Year 10 times and Shreveport Times All-Area Coach of the Year three times. His crowning achievement came in the fall of 2024 when he was inducted into the Haughton High School Football Hall of Fame.
Beyond his coaching career, Brotherton dedicated himself to public service. Elected to the Bossier Parish Police Jury, he served four terms, including stints as Vice President and President. Between 2020 and 2022, he rose to leadership positions in the Louisiana Police Jury Association, culminating in his presidency. Even during his health struggles, he remained committed to serving his constituents, attending meetings and advocating for the community.
Brotherton’s impact extended beyond his professional life. A member of First Baptist Haughton, he found strength in his faith and the support of his church family. He cherished his roles as a husband, father, and grandfather, rarely missing his sons’ coaching milestones or his grandchildren’s activities.
He was also a passionate outdoorsman, known as the “godfather of Lake Bistineau” and for his culinary skills, particularly his renowned fried catfish. His hunting and fishing adventures often became the source of legendary stories shared with friends at “The Mallard Inn.”
Kim Gaspard, former Haughton Mayor, and Jason Rowland, Superintendent of Bossier Schools, summed up Brotherton’s legacy:
“Though he loved being a Policeman and representing his constituents, his greatest accomplishments were being the patriarch of a great family and the positive effect he had on so many of our youth throughout his 33-year career as a coach. Being called ‘Coach’ was a very great compliment to him. For me, I will treasure those days in the duck blind and the stories we told. I will greatly miss my friend,” said Gaspard.
“Bob Brotherton is synonymous with class, integrity, dignity and just flat out Haughton. There’s no better way to describe him. In my mind, he was everything good. As an educator, he was just a great role model for other people to see and look up to. Kids loved him, coaches loved him and the community loved him and I think the reason he was so loved by everybody is because he was so loveable. If you want to be respected, be respectable. If you want to be loved, be loveable. There’s no better image that we can paint than Bob as an educator and a role model we looked up to,” said Rowland.
Bob Brotherton’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, a testament to his unwavering commitment to family, community, and service.