Robert Allen Richardson

Bob Richardson, community catalyst, civic visionary, unrelenting realist, environmentalist, developer, father, and friend, passed away on March 29, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of action and conviction.

He moved to Sarasota in 1962 and spent the next six decades bettering it—sometimes quietly, sometimes forcefully, always effectively. As the 2006 recipient of SCOPE’s “Boundary Crosser” award, Bob was a man who not only crossed boundaries but often built the bridges across them himself.

In his early years, he sold boats across the Southeast with Murray Trailers, Wellcraft, and Stamas. By 1972, he’d charted a new course into commercial and industrial real estate, helping shape Sarasota’s economic infrastructure with developments like Northgate Business Center, Sarasota County Interstate Business Center, and Sarasota Commerce Center. These weren’t just projects; they were pieces of a growing county he believed could—and should—do better.

Bob’s commitment to his community wasn’t limited to what could be built. It extended to what could be nurtured: civic discourse, education, the environment, and above all, people. He helped found SCOPE (Sarasota County Openly Plans for Excellence), launched the “Civility Project” to elevate public dialogue, and served Goodwill Industries Manasota on the board for over a decade. His civic leadership extended to the Sarasota Jaycees, Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Partnership, Leadership Florida, and the Sarasota City Planning Commission.

His heart for children was generous and expansive. He led wilderness trips for disadvantaged youth with Big City Mountaineers, supported Girls Inc., co-led the Citizens for Better Schools initiative, and was a founding member of the Florida Children’s Lobby. From anonymously funding student scholarships to backing nonprofit initiatives, he didn’t wait to be asked—he noticed what needed doing and did it.

He raised three children—Renee, James, and Jennifer—to be adventurous and self-reliant. Or, as he more bluntly put it: “Life’s tough—get your butt on the ball.” His daughter Renee wrote, “My dad is the American Dream, the ‘just do it’ man. He has been our toughest teacher and our greatest cheerleader.”

Bob had a knack for ideas, a love of wilderness, and a talent for contradiction: a real estate developer who chaired the local Sierra Club and co-founded Friends of Myakka River State Park. A MENSA member who preferred wisdom to trivia. A Sarasota Memorial Hospital volunteer with over 2,800 hours who helped realize a dream to build the Myakka River State Park canopy walkway—on a vision and a handshake.

He ran three marathons, biked across Georgia and Florida, and—at 80—was still logging 50 miles a week. He traveled to 42 states, 36 countries, and six continents but always came home to Sarasota. He made extraordinary fudge, legendary chocolate pecan pie, and Caesar salad from scratch—because, of course, he did.

In his own words: “I did my best and tried to help those I loved and to change the world for the better. My heart is always the happiest when it is open and I am giving.” He considered his greatest joy to be fatherhood, and his deepest blessing the relationships he built over a lifetime—some smooth, some complicated, all meaningful.

He is survived by his three children (Renee Kling, James Frederick, and Jennifer Shafer), two grandchildren (Danielle Kling Burke and Sydney Grehl), great-grandbaby (Addison Grehl), his longtime companion (Kathy Schersten), and by the many individuals, organizations, and wild places shaped—directly or indirectly—by his restless, relentless drive to make things better.

In lieu of flowers, take someone on a hike. Fund something that matters. Speak the truth. Be useful. And get your butt on the ball.