Herbert W. "Herb" Chandler Sr.

Herb was born on May 22, 1925, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Chandler family moved to Tallahassee when he was six months old to establish Tallahassee’s First Tourist Camp. Herb graduated from Leon High School in 1944 and joined the Navy the same year. After the war, Herb enrolled in (TBUF) the Tallahassee based branch of the University of Florida. In 1947, Florida State University began accepting male students where Herb continued his education. In 1950 Herb graduated from Florida State with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration as well as married his wife, Martha Jean Hewett, also a Florida State graduate. Herb and Martha remained dedicated Seminole fans for the remainder of their lives and were founding members of the Golden Chiefs. Herb was also a lifetime member of the FSU Alumni Association.

As part of a pioneering hotel family, the Chandler’s developed properties in Pensacola, Daytona Beach and Tallahassee. Herb carried on the tradition by becoming a Certified Hotel Administrator and subsequently owned and developed multiple hotel properties including Tallahassee’s first Ramada Inn. In 1983 Herb was named the Florida Hotel and Motel Association Hotelier of the year. Herb firmly believed in the meaning of hospitality and service to the public which he felt were the basis of all guest satisfaction. Herb was a member of the Tallahassee Exchange Club, Tallahassee Board of Realtors, Capital City Tiger Bay Club, Elks Club, American Legion, Apalachee Regional Planning Council, Hotel and Motel Brokers of America, Ramada Inn National Association Executive Committee, Colonels Club and a long-time member of Capital City Country Club where he was Club Champion in 1967. Herb served on the Board of Directors for the Tallahassee Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Leon County Tourist Development Council, Tallahassee Open Golf Charities, Inc./Centel Classic, Tallahassee Area Chamber of Commerce, Florida Hotel and Motel Association and the Florida Economics Club. He was past-president of the Florida Hotel and Motel Association and past-president and life member of the Tallahassee Quarterback Club.

Mr. Chandler was preceded in death by his father and mother, Gilbert S. Chandler Sr. and Mabel Irene Brown Chandler, twin brother Gilbert (Gibby) Sewell Chandler, and sisters Norma Chandler Marr and Evelyn Chandler Norman. He is survived by his son Bill Chandler (Tami), daughters, Pat Erwin, Connie Bond (Pat), and Mary Anne Russell (Al), grandchildren Carmen Mansfield, Megan Scileppi (Dominick), Amanda Russell, Lewis Bond, Elliott Bond and Kayla Chandler, great grandchildren Bryce Mansfield, Amelia Scileppi, Russell Scileppi and a host of loving nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two sister in laws, Bridgett Chandler and Ann Hewett.

The family would like to thank the entire staff at Broadview Assisted Living and Big Bend Hospice for their true compassion and care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, 32308.