Robert James "Bob" Braddock, age 81, of Winter Haven, Florida entered into rest on Wednesday, August 17, 2022. Bob was born December 24, 1940 in Port Orange, Florida, the son of Sydney and Christine Braddock.
A fifth generation Floridian, Bob graduated from Mainland High School in 1958. He played in the Florida Gator band and earned his B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Florida in 1962.
After graduation he taught chemistry and physics at Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach and during this time he met his wife of 57 years, Mary Jo. Bob went back to the University of Florida, was the caretaker of Marjorie Kinnan Rawling’s house and received his M.S. in Food Chemistry in 1967, before finally earning his PhD in Food Chemistry at Michigan State in 1970. He joined the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred where he worked in the field of citrus processing and essential oils and citrus by-products. He was also a respected mentor to more than 20 graduate students until his retirement.
Bob published over 100 publications, most notably, the "Handbook of Citrus By-Products and Processing Technology" in 1999. He was a professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists, member of the American Chemical Society, former Associate Editor for the Journal of Food Science, and past Chairman of the Florida section of the IFT where he received the distinguished Service Award.
Bob enjoyed gardening, fishing, racquetball, playing the saxophone and the clarinet. He had a deep love for Florida’s wildlife, especially when catching bluegills for Harriet, a great white egret that visited him every morning. He was involved with the Lakeland Concert Band, the Regionaires Dance Band, and the Beymer Memorial United Methodist Chancel Choir.
Bob is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jo Braddock; his daughter Jennifer Davis and her sons, Daniel and Luke of Tampa, FL; son, Jeb Braddock, his wife Amy and sons, Grant and Gage of Rochester Hills, MI; and sister, Merry Day of Ormond Beach, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Beymer Chancel Choir or Beymer Prayer Group.
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