title: Fatty Lawrence
text: # Fatty Lawrence
  
  Robert Landy "Fatty" Lawrence (May 6, 1903 – August, 1976) was a college football player who went on to become the superintendent of Nashville’s Water and Sewerage Services Department from 1932 to 1971; namesake of the Robert L. Lawrence Jr., Filtration Plant. He was the father of United States Navy vice admiral William P. Lawrence and the grandfather of NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence.
  
  ## Vanderbilt University
  
  Lawrence was a prominent guard for Dan McGugin's Vanderbilt Commodores football team of Vanderbilt University from 1921 to 1924. He was a part of three conference titles.
  
  ### 1922
  
  In the second week of play of 1922 against Henderson-Brown, Vanderbilt won 33 to 0. Lawrence recovered a fumble in the end zone for Vanderbilt's fourth touchdown. Lawrence also intercepted a pass in the scoreless tie with Michigan. He was mentioned as one of the players of the game in the 14 to 6 victory over Tennessee. The Nashville Banner said Lawrence had been "in there doing a man's job blocking a kick and tackling with the deadliness of a tiger unleashed in a cave of lions."
  
  ### 1924
  
  He was selected All-Southern by his teammates.
  
  