Robert "Bob" Hardy Matheson Jr.

Robert, “Bob” as he preferred to be called, lived an enviable life. He grew up in Coral Gables when Miami was a quieter place with more of its wild spaces intact. As a child, he spent time roaming the area shooting land crabs with his pellet guns, or catching and releasing indigo snakes.

Cruising (on private vessels) was one of his true loves, fostered by excursions to The Bahamas with either his father, Hardy, or Uncle Finley and cousins. Bob often reminisced about a time when dead reckoning was the navigation method and locals sailed out in their dinghies to barter at various anchorages. Not all boaters these days have salt in the veins, he certainly did. In his later years, he continued his love of cruising on his yacht “Puffin,” taking her throughout The Bahamas, the Dry Tortugas, the Everglades, and up to Maine.

Ever the naturalist, he enjoyed birding, but the slow- moving turtle was his spirit animal.

Bob brought his young family to Palm City in the early 1980s, following his Uncle Bill Matheson, who owned a ranch and other agricultural businesses in the area. A steadfast conservationist and political activist, he was acutely involved in his community. He proudly volunteered for years on the Martin County Planning and Zoning Board.

He was a humorous man who frequently used sarcasm and tested the limits of politeness to get a rise or a laugh. Never shy and always inquisitive, he enjoyed learning about anyone he met. Strangers did not exist to him. Free speech was a pillar to him, and he never hesitated to tell someone how he felt.

He had a career as a lawyer, yet found little joy in it, except by helping others. The “hired gun” idea was not his fancy.

He played soccer in college at Duke University. Later, he coached his children in youth leagues. As a grandfather, he loved story time and puppet shows with his two granddaughters, Isla and Bryn.

Bob is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marlee, his sons Merritt (Chelsey) and Dylan (Christina), his granddaughters Isla and Bryn, sisters Anna and Dorothea, and many beloved friends and extended family.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 28 from 2-6 p.m. at The Flagler of Stuart, 201 SW Flagler Ave., Downtown Stuart.