Robert Jesse Andrews, 76, born Oct. 2, 1944 passed away in Tallahassee, Florida on September 16, 2020. My hero. I have loved him since the first time I ever laid eyes on him in 1965. He never had an unkind word about anyone or anything. He was everyone’s hero.
Bob grew up overseas in Venezuela, South America. On returning to the United States in the 1960s, he attended Southern Methodist University and later graduated from Southern Polytechnic State University, Marietta, Georgia, in construction & engineering. He then volunteered to join the Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. He was a sharpshooter and while scouting ahead for an operation, he sustained major injuries from a booby trap, which included the loss of his sight on June 12, 1967; this awarded him a Purple Heart.
At the Hines VA Rehabilitation Center Bob was introduced to the game of blind golf. During the following two years he learned and perfected his golf game with help from his first coach John Andrews, his dad. The United States Blind Golf Association (USBGA) became an important part of his life when he qualified to join in 1970.
Over the next 40 years he competed in National and International tournaments winning many. He is both a National and International blind golf champion. After moving to Tallahassee in 1976 he became the first totally blind licensed residential contractor building homes in area.
When more opportunities availed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, both in the USA and overseas, Bob decided to become more involved in the USBGA. He served on the Board, was Vice President, and went on to be President for ten years. He is proud that during his tenure many projects and advancements were implemented to the organization and blind golf. With Tina, his wife, at his side, they produced the first newsletter “The Midnight Golfer”, created the web site “blindgolf.com”, and started regional blind tournaments with standardized regulations. Bob worked with the USGA to help write and create the initial “Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities”. Bob’s travels overseas afforded him the opportunity to be one of the founders of the International Blind Golf Association in 1998. This led to the establishment of the first World Blind Golf Championships. In 1997 the International Network of Golf honored Bob with the “Dennis Walters Courage Award.” This award goes to an individual who has overcome great odds to participate in and contribute to the game of golf.
Bob was everyone’s hero. Other than golf Bob loved the water and anything on it. He loved to sail, body surf, dig holes in the sand, and fish. He loved to laugh. He loved to dance. Totally blind he lived life to its fullest. He and Tina traveled the world. So when we remember Bob it will be with a simile on our face – what a champion.
Two of Bob’s favorites phrases were: When you are born you come into the world crying while those surrounding you are smiling. Live your life so when they lay you to rest you will be smiling while all those surrounding you are crying.
2 Corinthians 5:7 "We live by faith, not by sight
Bob was married to Tina Beall, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for 52 ½ years. He is survived by his three sons, Travis, Ben, and Mike; and their wives Tomi, Katie, and Lori; and 6 grandchildren: Gavin and Wesley, Jesse and Dylan, Kazom and Indie.
There will be a Full Honors Military Service at Tallahassee’s new National Cemetery on Friday, October 2 at 2:45 for the family. Because of Covid-19, Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home will livestream the service via their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/culleysmeadowwood/. Start your feed 10 minutes early. If you would like to make a donation in his honor, make it to the charity of your choice. He will sorely be missed.
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