Bob was born in Norfolk, VA on May 30, 1956. As a child, he was told all the Memorial Day parades were in celebration of his birthday. What a lucky guy to have such special memories. As a young man, he went in search of adventure. He served in the US Navy as a culinary specialist, cooking on the aircraft carrier, the USS Nimitz. After his service he lived in Alaska for a time, set up camps and cooked for the Army Corp of Engineers on the Aleutian Islands as well as cooking on Off Shore oil rigs. When he finally tired of the long, cold, dark nights of Alaska, he sought the warmth and sunshine of Key West. It was here that he found his safe spot in the world. It was here that he worked as a cook, sponger, lighthouse keeper, caregiver, landscaper and generator technician. As a cook, Bob served up delicious food with a smile on his face, a side of kindness and a story to tell. Whether pedaling his bike-boat to the water’s edge or sailing it around the island, you can bet he was smiling. He always found time to stop and chat or lend a helping hand. Bob always made time to be kind , he made time to be helpful and he made time to shine his light for all to see. Bob was one of a kind and the world was the better for it. “They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed. - Maya Angelou (from the poem, When Great Trees Fall)