Robert Augustus Thweatt

Dr. Robert (Bob) Augustus Thweatt, Jr. was born October 4, 1932 in Palatka, FL to Robert Augustus and Mary Evelyn (O'Berry). He passed away peacefully at home in Jacksonville on April 20, 2021, surrounded by his family.

As a young child, Bob lived in Palatka and Atlanta and grew up in Daytona Beach. He was a bright student but was often ahead of his teachers and distracted easily--he recalled spending much of his 4th grade year banished to the hall. This memory directed his later career choice as an educator, as he knew there was a better way to harness children's energy and redirect it into learning.

Bob graduated from Seabreeze High School in 1950 at age 17 and then became a full-fledged Florida Gator when he attended University of Florida. At UF, Bob was a part of the fencing team, the Rowdy Reptiles, the Pep Club, and enjoyed taking his pet alligator (small but live) to the Gator football games. His antics in the dorms (involving live pet owls and homemade stills, to name a few) made for wonderful stories for his children and grandchildren.

Bob graduated with his BS in Business Administration in 1953 and joined his father at Peninsular Life Insurance. While trying to sell insurance policies to staff at a Cocoa Beach elementary school he met Doris Evelyn Moody who refused to buy a policy but agreed to a date. He returned to his house after their first date where he woke his roommate and announced he was getting married. Bob proposed three months later but it took Doris several proposals to accept. (She said the ring didn’t fit.) They married on July 19, 1958 in Sylva, NC, and lived initially in Cocoa Beach before moving to Jacksonville, FL. Theresa Salinda was born in 1961 and Robert Kenyon in 1965.

After achieving his Master of Education from Jacksonville University, Bob became a teacher in the Duval County Public School system and spent the entirety of his career working to help DCPS desegregate, fully represent the communities in which they served, and regain their accreditation. In his first position teaching 6th grade at Woodland Acres Elementary school, he fell in love with teaching science. Bob became the Science Coordinator for the DCPS Elementary Science Program, overseeing the Science Curriculum and training teachers—and, afterwards, had a PBS science program many DCPS students of the '70s will remember watching in class. Bob's constant pursuit of knowledge led him to achieve his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Elementary Education, Administration and Supervision. During this time, Bob became the principal of Carter G. Woodson 6th Grade Center where he led the school for 17 years. His favorite focus there was to redirect those students who were headed the wrong direction, making leaders of them by harnessing that misdirected energy into a strong School Patrol. He served as principal of Lola M. Culver for the last four years of his career. Bob retired from DCPS in 1993 just in time to care for his 2nd infant grandchild (first grandson) and was well known at Shoney’s for bringing grandchild and diaper bag for years to their breakfast bar.

Bob's Christian faith was insurmountable, even as he faced Huntington's Chorea for the last two decades. He was active in First Presbyterian Church where he was a lifelong member serving as a teacher, deacon and elder. FPC was home to him and it meant the world that his grandkids were the 6th generation of his family to attend.

Bob was very involved in the Boy Scouts of America where he was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by the Central Florida Scout Counsel. He then continued his involvement by serving as an instructor in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program and as a Scout Master for several troops. He instilled this passion for always being prepared in every lesson he taught.

Bob loved North Florida and its nature. He enjoyed church tubing trips on the Ichetucknee, boating/camping trips on the Ocklawaha, playing on the beach, shark tooth hunting, building and shooting rockets with his kids and later with his grandkids, absolutely any science project, his ’72 Chevy Impala convertible, taking things apart (and never putting them back together), and assigning jobs so you always felt needed. He loved to dance with Doris and was excellent at ballroom with a special finesse for Latin dance. His positive outlook on life was contagious as he chose to face every obstacle with determination, strength, and grace. He truly never gave up.

Bob is pre-deceased by his parents and younger sister Mary Evelyn Thweatt Albertson. He is survived by his wife of 62 years Doris (Moody) Thweatt, daughter Theresa Thweatt Rulien (Joey) of Jax, FL; son Robert Kenyon Thweatt (Paula) of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Caitlin Rulien, Dustin Rulien (Nicole), Dillin Rulien, Harrison Thweatt, Callie Thweatt; and many in-laws, outlaws (as Dad would say), nieces, and nephews.

There will be a small graveside service for family now, and a funeral and celebration of Bob's life later this summer. We hope all will join us for that celebration of Dad.