Robert W. Webster

Robert Whitford Webster, a truly rare and outstanding father, loving and dedicated husband and the kindest friend to all passed away on Monday, December 6, 2021 at the age of 87 years old. He was one of the most generous, honest, and moral men, who earned the respect of all who knew him. A true model of a gentlemen and a hero to many. His infectious smile and sense of humor would bring a smile to your own face or genuine laugh to your heart. He was an amazing story teller of his adventurous life which will live on in our memories.

He was born on August 7th 1934 to Percy Webster and Thelma Caraway in Tarpon Springs, FL.

Robert graduated from the Tarpon Springs High School, in 1951 at the age of 16, where he played trumpet in the High School Band. Determined to serve his country, Robert misrepresented his age and enlisted in the Army National Guard. He then went on to serve in the Army in Communications in Germany. After his service he attended the University of Tampa and received an Electrical Engineering degree.

Early in his career, he was a Game Warden near Panama City. This allowed him to continue to foster his love of the outdoors. Later he went in to Sales, which is where he met, his wife of 50 years, Alma Nell Webster and her two children Carryn and Darryn. On June 12th 1971 they were married and he later adopted her children. They moved to Tampa where he finished his career as a business owner.

After retirement, he and Nell moved to Ocklawaha where he built their retirement home. He loved to build things. He was a talented woodworker, building furniture, porch swings, trailers to tree stands. With his brilliant engineering mind, if he could design it he would build it! He was always willing to help family and friends with home projects, no matter the size.

He was also very involved in the United Methodist Church throughout his life, serving as Pastor Parish Chairman, Building Committee, Member of United Methodist Men’s group, as well as, teach disciple classes.

He was not just intelligent…he was well informed. His interest was boundless, yet he was so firmly grounded in time-honored values. As an accomplished reader, he most admired Abraham Lincoln saying “he had a way with words.” I cannot confirm this but I remember…that he actually read the complete set of encyclopedias! He was a speed reader!

Most of all, he loved his family and the outdoors. He loved guns and hunting, in the younger days he hunted ducks with the Pappas brothers in New Port Richey, later on he traveled to British Columbia, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Georgia and Alaska. He was an accomplished bow hunter and a serious accurate long-distance shooter.

His love of fishing, boating and camping he graciously shared those adventures with his family. He would take us to fish huge Tarpon from his boat; cast net for mullet; or walk through the shallow waters of the gulf looking for scallops. In Islamorada, he would have us wake up at midnight to go catch Florida lobsters. One of my favorite memories, is when he took us in his 1960 Willie’s Jeep to harvest oysters from the beds deep in the Gulf Hammocks, we were completely covered in mud from head to toe.

In his retirement, one of his fondest times was when he was able to spend time at the hunting camp with his great group of friends. Their comradery, storytelling, cooking great meals were the highlights of those trips for him.

Family and friends were his greatest accomplishment. He was a wonderful friend and his friends were varied because he was interested in everyone he met. He was a loving, supportive dad, always there to help. Whether it was to teach you something, show you the way or to just talk it through; he was a great listener. He was a saint and loved his wife, they called each other “Sweetheart”. He loved her cooking and mostly their time together sitting outside watching the nature in their backyard. He was a great grandfather, loved his three grandkids, Kacie, Parker and Piper. He would share his stories or try to impart some wisdom but mostly looked for every chance he could tease them and make them laugh!

There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, March 6th 2:00p at Christ United Methodist Church, 400 Penman Road, Neptune Beach, FL 32266 and on Friday, April 22nd at 10:00a a burial of his ashes at Cycadia Cemetery, 1021 E Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

The family requests that in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Christ United Methodist Church, 400 Penman Road, Neptune Beach, FL 32266

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hardage-giddensbeacheschapel.com for the Webster family.

Arrangement are under the care and direction of HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME In Jacksonville Beach FL.