Memories of Robert "Bob" Hawkins Jr

William Hobby

Happy 91st Birthday Mr Bob. We all miss you. Cannot wait to see you again.

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William Hobby

Oh how we miss you every day. Can't wait to see you again

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Michele Covell

Bob's was our Memoral Day escape since he had just one rope swing into the Suwannee River. Bob told us his dream to make a safe place for all to enjoy so the kids would stop jumping off of the bridge. Year by year Bob would add new entertainment to enjoy by all. He had a vision he saw through to and a heart of gold. RIP Bob you will never be forgotten.

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William Hobby

Shared a heart

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William Hobby

1998, Bobs River Place

I first met Mr Bob at his home. As a child. My family started going to his river property to take part in water activities on the famous Suwannee River. We developed a friendship that lasted many years. He eventually gave me a job and I worked along side him for several years. He was a man of great wisdom. Every single day I worked for him I learned something new. He had a answer for every question I asked. He had the best stories that I would listen to as we worked. He was definitely a one of a kind type of genuine man. I miss him everyday and hold onto the times we shared and the memories I have.

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Sara Beth Gardner

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William Hobby

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Sara Beth Gardner

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William Hobby

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Sara Beth Gardner

Remembering Bob "Bob's River Place" - Part 1

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William Hobby

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Sara Beth Gardner

Remembering Bob Part 2 (growing up)

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Sara Beth Gardner

Please scroll down to see videos and photos.

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William Hobby

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Sara Beth Gardner

Attached are 89 Condolences from Facebook. Open “Read More”:

Samantha Nealy
Bob was a very unique individual and great for his community. He will be missed by many I dare say around the world, as many people from other countries visited his slice of Heaven on Earth through the years. Praying for his friends, family, and loved ones

Jeff Hejza
What a amazing man, Suwannee will never be the same again

Jennifer Sunshine
Blown away! I’m so glad my husband and I got the opportunity to meet him. I hope his place remains open for future children to enjoy as he had said it brought him so much joy

Heather Tucker
Our family has gone there many years & loved being there. Bob had such a BIG heart! Heaven has gained an amazing, loving man!❤️

Fran Creamer
Bobs River Place, because of Bob, touched many, many lives and created many wonderful memories ... 💝💝

Patricia-Jason Spalding
Heavy heart for Bob’s family and loves ones.. We always wanted to go there one day as my friends and my sister’s family always went there. They loved this place that Bob made for the community. I wish we met you as I can see you made a huge impact not just locally, but many miles away .. ❤️🙏❤️🤟❤️🙏❤️ Thank you Bob for everything u have done...  

 Heather Laura
We drove from Tampa and it was so worth it. It was one of the best times I have had.. My kids had a blast.. Great memories thank you bob... RIP 💖

Vanessa Thebossyone Dale
I will always remember you Bob. You were such an amazing person with a heart of gold! you will be greatly missed. 🙏🏽❤ 

Shannon Massey
I didn't make it out to Bob's. Always said to myself this is the year I’d take my kids. I say this to say life is short. God bless his family. This man really seemed to love kids and young adults.

Lisa Apple
I just want to send my dearest condolences to his family and THANK them for his hospitality through the years. You gave my family so many terrific memories and I will be forever GRATEFUL ❤️

Chase Nugent
I used to love coming out there while I was in law school at UF. Struck up a conversation with Bob one day and when he learned I was in law school we chatted about the 5-6 different state and federal agencies he’d been battling for years just to stay open. He knew more than most law professors about the agencies and jurisdictions. When we finished I asked him why he bothered to fight considering all he was up against and how dirty they fought and he said “I just love seeing you all have fun out here.” Wonderful man, I am sorry for your loss.

Heath Keller
We may not be family by blood, but Bob touched us all. RIP Mr. Bob. Yup. That's what I called him. He was an incredible conversationalist! 

Carolyn Breslin
We are all so lucky that your uncle shared his passion with so many of us! And you are lucky to call a man family, that spent so much of his life making others happy! Thank you Mr. Hawkins!

Kimberly Tibbetts Long
He was an Awesome loving caring man and he created a Fun Beautiful Place where me and many other families made great Memories .RIP.. Bob..Much Love

Erin O'Brien
He was a part of our family for 8 years we used to come there every summer he was a wonderful man and we will miss him❤️

Tammy Morabito
Prayers are with you and your family. Bob’s River Place was so much more than a place to visit and have fun at. Bob always welcomed everyone to his home backyard like we were his family. Great conversations and lots of memories. Thank you for sharing your heart and family to us

Candi Boone
Nooo. I just learned about this place, and the man who created all this wonderful silliness has passed away. I am so sorry. ❤️

Kim Falkner Lardizzone
Such sad news.... Such a kind loving caring soul to open his property up to all walks of life to indulge and have a great time...Your place has brought much happiness & fond memories for many families... may your legacy live on forever Bob

Amber Walton
Bob was a special guy and his memory will live on through anyone who crossed paths with him. I’m so very happy I got to meet bob and I’m so happy he got to do something he loved. He brought so much joy into millions of lives and we will never forget him for it. From me and my family our prayers are with you all in this hard time. ♥️

Michele McLaughlin
Bob you gave your property, your time and your love to build an amazing place were kids and family's could enjoy time together. I remember when you first started and your purpose was so kids didn't jump off the bridge and could still have fun. You explained how you asked the county, local clubs, and even boys and girls club to give you a hand to get it started. They all said no but then a few local boys came to help. It was a great vision that became an amazing reality. I hope your family keeps it up and going in your memory. You will be missed by so many but you Sir will never be forgotten.

Wendy Fowler It is a great place! The Angel's are rejoicing your arrival 🙏😢You will be missed! Thanks for the wonderful memories ❤💋
 Jon Souers
So many great memories for our family over the years. RIP Bob Hawkins...your legacy will live on. 

Cheryl Hartley
Last year was my first year going out to Bobs. I went with about 10 other family members and we had a blast. Bob rode down on his golf cart, sat and talked it up for hours with all the guests. I made sure to walk over and meet him. I thanked him for having such a fun place that he made available for so many others to enjoy. He was so friendly and you could tell that he got so much joy out of seeing others having fun. This wasn't just his place to him, it was a place for everyone to come and create great memories. It was a hidden gem and Bob was the diamond that added the extra sparkle. My love and prayers go out to all Bob’s family and friends. He will be truly missed and always remembered. 💕

Maurice Robinson is feeling thankful.
GREAT MAN WITH AND EVEN GREATER HEART...HE NEVER STOPPED SMILING...HE HAS BROUGHT SOOOOO MUCH HAPPINESS TO SOOOO MANY FAMILIES...WE ARE THANKFUL THAT OUR FAMILY WAS ONE OF THEM...REST IN PARADISE MR. BOB...AND. THANK YOU FOR A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES...FROM THE ROBINSONS...🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

Brittany Ann Malcolm
May your spirit run free and explore all the amusements of heaven!

Cyndi Williams Anderson to David Park
I spent hours sitting there talking to him while we watched the kids have fun. He will be greatly missed.

Denis Michael
Never forget him chilling in his chair watching over everyone

Amber Walton Author David Park
Hahahaha could never forget, man he had the best spot.

Cyndi Williams Anderson
And with his microphone... 

Denis Michael to Cyndi Williams Anderson
yup! Reffing king of the floating dock. What a legend.

Dianna Saunders
Some of the best memories with my kids growing up 💕💕💕 Thank you so much! 🙏🏼 Hope others get to experience the genuine joy of this magical place

Meri Hernandez-Spoltore
Ohhhhhh no. I’m so sad to hear about this. I’ve spent the last 8 years going to Bob’s on our annual Ginnie Springs camping trip and took a picture with him every year. Prayers to his family!!! He was a great man that brought so many smiles, laughter and tons of fun to so many people.

Jennifer English
What a wonderful generous man...he has a special place in the hearts of everyone who had the honor to meet him. Bob in his chair overseeing the fun. God bless him and his family

Colleen Bench
He was a great guy and will be sadly missed. Bob will have a water park for the angels to have the time of their lives.   Melanie Smith Piland What a generous and kind heart he had!

Cyndi Williams Anderson
Oh no no no! My condolences to the family and ALL his friends that have come to know him over the great times at Bob's River Place. I hope in time that you will be able to keep Bob's River Place alive and open in his honor. I can see Bob now flying high on one of his rope swings! RIP

James Mitchell
I'm sad to hear this, I just heard about this place over the winter. This was going to be my first year going there. Sounds like this man was a great person to strangers just so they could enjoy life. That's a beautiful soul, heaven holds a special place for him.

Nikki Browning Jerger
He was so nice, and I believe he really enjoyed watching everyone have fun at his place. We love going here. BOB you will be missed !

Alicia Fisher
Our hearts and prayers go out to Bob and his family. Bob always made us feel at home on the River.

Cameron Stauffer
Soo very sorry for the loss of Bob!! Only made it to his property once and met him once and it was amazing! Took a group of about 30 people and we all had an amazing time!! drove 3 hours to get there and worth every minute!! Hope the family is doing well and keeps the property open but either way Thank you for Soo much fun and many memories!

Jamie Storey
RIP MY BROTHER. 40 YEARS OF AWESOME MEMORIES...

Jolene Dailey
So sad to see about the passing of this amazing soul, Bob you will always be in our hearts❤️ You gave us a great place to smile and be free! Job well done faithful servant🙏🏼 prayers to all who knew and loved him

Tressa Wallace
I remember meeting Bob the first time before it was ever Bob's River place it was just a tree house rope swing and a floating dock and we watched it grow to what it is today Bob was the most compassion kindest person I’ve known.

Jennifer Boyes Thomas The world lost an incredible man. He will truly be missed. We met him and he was just Bob..... but then we started going to his home ( Bob’s River place) over 9 years ago, twice a week..... by the end of the first summer we gained a great friend we called Uncle Bob...... you will be greatly missed 😢😢.....

Tara Sandlin
Was only able to experience this amazing place once but it was A BLAST🤗 Thank you for the amazing experience RIP 🙏

Lisa Marie
Youth, Adults, the lives he reached with his private property. God Bless you Mr. Bob. You are missed.

Lucy Palmer-Jordan
Sending love and prayers to your family at this time. He was so kind and welcoming to our family when we would visit, and always made time to talk to the kids. He always had a smile on his face. God bless you all 💕

Christopher Cheshire
Bob will be in our hearts forever. He was such a kind caring and great fellow. We absolutely LOVE BEING AT HIS HOME. We will miss you Bob. 😢😢

Lisa Dunson Steele
Only been to Bobs once but so impressed by the place, but the man that had the heart to build it and share even more. 💙

Shelley Gardner Hinson
I loved that he kept everyone straight with his megaphone, whether he was cutting up or keeping them inline!

Vivian Shenouda Gurgis
He was incredibly generous to share his place with the world to enjoy. May he Rest In Peace & may his whole family be comforted by the beautiful memories you have shared. 🙏🏻

Tammy Handy
Thank you so much for sharing with us. Bob's River place reflected the Man he was. His enjoyment of his surroundings, his nature , peace, laughter. He was always so nice to our family. He touched lives all the way to Kentucky because that where most of my family live and they enjoyed your Uncles place while visiting every year. Sincere Condolences. His presence will always be missed by so many.

 Chris Mackiewicz
The memories of Bob's river place and how nice he was to me and my family each time we visited will be embedded in our heads forever  Carli Durden He was the nicest man. I loved our talks every time we would visit the river. I’m gonna miss not seeing him. Lifting you all up in prayer

Lisa Marie
What a loss we have all experienced. We love his place and will forever cherish our memories of summer fun!

Felicia Tadder Kickliter
Rope swinging in heaven I’m sure ...
💦 ☀️ 🌳

Wayne Novaak Batista
I just wanna say thank you to an amazing man who lived a life of joy and put smiles on peoples faces everyday, we love you bob you will be missed. Thanks for the memories🙏🏾Rest Easy old friend

John Tucker
Man was a legend

Michele Feldmann
We all will miss you. We moved 15 years ago and he made us feel welcomed and loved. Thanks for all the beautiful memories. You will always be in our hearts..

 Shawn Kelly
 I wish we could have kept him longer just as much as anyone else not for what he provided as a place to hangout but his knowledge, his view in life, to always be happy. He was such a humble man. He truly will be missed by so many he had a heart of gold he is looking down and guiding you and giving you the strength you need.
 
Summerlyn Stone 
He had a beautiful soul! My condolences!!! He had the biggest heart! He'd always make me sing karaoke when I visited!!! He'd sit right under his tree with his megaphone and cheer me on. 

Steven Williams
We're all gonna miss him very much. He was one of the best and my friend

Michele Feldmann
We all will miss you. We moved 15 years ago and he made us feel welcomed and loved. Thanks for all the beautiful memories. You will always be in our hearts.

 Cari Johnson Arganbright  to Michele Feldmann
We met there!! Love and will always miss you Bob

Jenn Burgess
Awesome man with a huge heart. Bob you will be missed by many, and you touched many lives throughout your’s. RIP my friend

Leslie Flowers
My daughter and I started going to bobs in 2007. It was our favorite place to go swimming. We watched it grow from a couple of rope swings to what it is today. We would be there all summer. We had a lot of talks and a lot of fun times. We are going to miss him a lot. He opened his yard and heart to everyone. I will miss him

Mike Stephan
What you did for people is beyond words.

Calley Hoffman Fletcher
This world needs more souls like him. 🌸

Rhyan Belles
Bob we miss you dearly!!!

Samantha Nealy
Bob was a very unique individual and great for his community. He will be missed by many I dare say around the world, as many people from other countries visited his slice of Heaven on Earth through the years. Praying for his friends, family, and loved ones.

Cari Johnson Arganbright
Rip Bob!!! Thanks for all the great times!! My kids whole childhood, and many bdays were spent there.💜 You'll be sorely missed!!!
Hope the family keeps his dream alive!

Christy Tozzo
Such great memories of an amazing man.
Thank you for 5 years of fun....always had to get a Bob selfie 😍
You will be missed greatly

Alexandra Tobey
I’d been going long before all the tourists came out. I met so many people there, made so many friends and so many great memories! Some awesome 4th of julys.... its sad to hear of bobs passing. He will be missed.

Cj Bradley
He had this set up for us down here. Imagine what’s he’s working on for us up there!!! Many great times at Bobs! Rest In Peace Good Sir, you Have Created More memories for Family’s than you probably knew. Condolences to His Family.

Dillion Pannell
Sorry to hear about bob, most definitely gonna miss seeing him on the weekends and seeing him smiling😭

Cameron Stauffer
Soo very sorry for the loss of Bob!! Only made it to his property once and met him once and it was amazing! Took a group of about 30 people and we all had an amazing time!! drove 3 hours to get there and worth every minute!! Hope the family is doing well and keeps the property open but either way Thankyou for Soo much fun and many memories! RIP Bob and my condolences to his family and friends!!

Jennifer Boyes Thomas
The world lost an incredible man. He will truly be missed.

Maraya Samons
My first time at bobs and it was an experience I’ll never forget! You made one amazing place for people to come together and make many memories! Won’t be the same without you!!

Meri Hernandez-Spoltore
Ohhhhhh no. I’m so sad to hear about this. I’ve spent the last 8 years going to Bob’s on our annual Ginnie Springs camping trip and took a picture with him every year. Prayers to his family!!! He was a great man that brought so many smiles, laughter and tons of fun to so many people. RIP BOB.

Tyffany Douglas
I haven't been there since it grew so big. We use to go hang out with Bob when it was just a tree house and a rope swing ♡ he was an amazing selfless man. He will be missed.

Paula Williams
This breaks my heart !!! Such a sweet man.

William Hobby
20 plus years ago our friendship was created. It was a great pleasure working for you sir. Each and every day I learned something. You always had a welcoming smile and the right thing to say. It won't be the same without you. I am forever grateful for the experience and for the amount of knowledge you gave me. I am gonna miss you dear friend. You will always be remembered. I will speak about you daily. And I will always cherish the great times we had. Rest easy Mr Bob. Thank you for everything. We are all gonna miss you. Love you good friend.

Chris Fox
Bob, I’ll never forget meeting you almost 20 years ago, we brought the entire family over there and met you and a friendship was born. We had so many great memories on that river and at your house BOB they surely will never be forgotten! My kids even learned to swim at your place Like so many others. You are an inspiration to so many you brought so many smiles and so much laughter and so much memories that will never be forgotten! Heaven definitely gained another great angel! I hope there’s someway we can make your legacy live on but we are going to have a lot of hurdles to cross and a lot of challenges! Thank you again BOB for sharing your life with so many people from all around the world. We Love You, The Fox Family

Tanya Chappell
I’m so sad to hear about Bob passing. Our family has had so much fun there. I became friends with Bob and Beth and it was clear that he created his fabulous swim swing slide - adventure park out of the sheer joy, love and graciousness that was his heart.

Wade Barnes
This is completely unreal to me me and all of my best friend grew up here since it was nothing but a single rope swing and to what it is now. This man was a great man . Fly high Bob. This was an amazing place to grow up and see what it has become . RIP BOB we will never forget you.

Monica Powers Kincaid
I have known Bob for so many years and taking my children to Bob's River Place since they were little kids. He will be truly missed. I was fortunate to be able to see him a few months ago. I will treasure all my memories of him and my family and friends enjoying being out there on the river. RIP Bob

Bonnie Brantley
Bob’s River Place has been apart of mine and my kids life’s since 2011. What wonderful memories and pictures we’ve made during many summers there and the many friendships that were made. I’ll forever remember Bob sitting in his chair by the slides with his hat on and always smiling. At the end of one of his docks was what I stated was “my favorite place” on the river and I spent many hours there, sometimes I’d get there before anyone and stay all day enjoying the view of Bob’s River Place and the river it self. At the beginning of each summer there it was always nice to see him and talk for awhile and being close to the Hobby family we always stayed after closing and sat back and talked awhile and had a cold one. Forever great memories! He gave so much to so many, such a great man. He will be remembered for always. Love you Bob!

Jill Russell Hart
Bob was a wonderful man. He loved watching people have fun in a place he created. Sending love and peace to his family and Bob in heaven
 Sherri Blong We surly loved Bob.we are so thankful for his friendship. I will miss seeing him at 8:30 for his hair cut.Always had to come early so he could get back to get ready for his day.RIP Bob

Daniel Barry
I'm very sad to hear the news of Bob passing he did so much for everyone around him he will be truly missed

Marlena Anderson
He was truly a wonderful and amazing man and done so much good for the community he will be deeply missed.
My family loved Bob Very Much!! My daughter took her First Steps on his river bank. He will be missed but Never forgotten

Brad Anderson
Your family has lost a great man. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Mr. Bob. He has done so much for my family and me. Bob will be greatly missed and dear to my heart. He has been a great mentor.

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William Hobby

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Greg Bates

I’ve taken family members to Bob’s annually for several years. My son is 16 and at 8 he would spend hours on the log roll, until he felt comfortable enough to try the rope swing. I’ve contributed a couple of pair of glasses to the river, forgetting to take them off. One year I had prescription sunglasses that were a lot of money come off. I felt them hit my leg as I was surfacing. I went to Bob to explain and he offered a mask and advice. They would be downstream 10-15 feet and the water was deep, I wouldn’t be able to see them until I got near the bottom. I scuba dive so I wasn’t too concerned. I went upstream from the rope swing a bit and he held them up a few seconds so I could get deep and swim with the current covering as much ground as possible. 3 passes later I recovered them. I returned the mask and thanked him. He was a great guy who enjoyed watching people enjoy their time on his property.

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Sara Beth Gardner

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Jill Kramer

2019

Thank you for the memories Bob and family.

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Sara Beth Gardner

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Jill Kramer

I am sorry to hear of Bob's passing. I met him a couple of times at Bob's River Place, and he was so nice. We have enjoyed our time at Bob's River Place making family memories, and appreciated that he opened his home for us to do so. Thinking of his family at this time.

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Sara Beth Gardner

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