Obituary for Robert Lee "Bobby" Maynard
Mr. Robert “Bobby” Lee Maynard, 85, of Sarasota, FL passed away April 26, 2023, at Heron Club at Prestancia Assisted Living in Sarasota, FL. He was born in Madison County on June 24, 1937, to the late Robert Lee and Geneva Hamlin Maynard.
Robert graduated from Mars Hill High School in 1955, attended Mars Hill College for a year, then transferred to Stetson University in Deland, FL where he graduated with a degree in Music and Education. He then moved back to NC and attended Western Carolina University where he graduated with a master’s degree in teaching. After graduating he moved back to Sarasota, FL where he did his student teaching at Brentwood Elementary School for two years. After his student teaching was complete, Bobby was hired to teach in the overseas program through the Department of Defense. His first assignment was in Okinawa where he spent a year. He then went to Bermuda for two years.
After Bermuda, Bobby became a Counselor for many years and transferred to The Dodds School in Frankfurt, Germany where he met his good friend, Joan. He received a Counselor position at Frankfurt Platten Elementary School where he worked with individual children, and groups. He would make weekly visits to the classrooms to give the teachers extra time for planning while he worked with the children. Bobby was also there for the faculty members. He organized many long weekend bus tours for them to enjoy, he himself loved train travel and made excellent use of the Euro Pass Program. As a lover of travel, he was open to mingling with the people of the countries he visited. He made many German friends, learned to speak German, Italian and French, and enjoyed their culture.
Bobby always had a yen to travel, as a child he would sit for hours looking at world maps and even drawing pictures of them. Teaching with the Department of Defense gave him his wish to travel. All the time he was away from home, he never missed a week writing home to his parents and sister. He would come home every summer and Christmas to be with them. On his trips home, he would always have a trip planned for his mother; they traveled to NY, the Grand Canyon, and many places closer to home with Aunt Ruby. For his sister’s 50th birthday, he enjoyed treating and showing her around Italy.
Bobby was an Epicurean who loved cooking and experimenting with new dishes. Many would say he was a fine cook, and that gourmet food was important to him. While in Germany he would make trips with his friends to visit starred Michelin Restaurants as well as other exceptional restaurants to endure the taste of fine food. Bobby’s taste was not only exceptional for food, but for fashion as well. He had an enormous wardrobe of beautiful outfits that always suited him perfectly, no matter where he went. Bobby was also a talented piano player.
After retirement, he continued to travel with friends on organized tours through Europe, visiting Paris, London, Hungary, and Spain. Bobby enjoyed watching movies and theater and would often successfully predict Oscar winners. His taste in movies and food was impeccable; he had a unique ability to pair all the new dishes with a good movie.
Bobby had a wonderful personality, he was so kind, thoughtful, cordial, gentle, and well mannered. He will be deeply missed by those who had the privilege of knowing him. He leaves behind a lasting impression on our lives, and we are grateful to have had him in our lives. We will forever cherish the memories we shared with him. Rest in peace dear friend. You were truly the best human being, brother, son, and friend anyone could ever ask for.
Surviving are his sister, Patsy Allen, and husband Bob; one aunt, Evelyn McPeters; several cousins; and his closest friend, Joan who lives in Spain and his care giver and close friend Ali, and many other close friends around the world, too many to name.
At Bobby’s wishes, he wanted to be near his family that he loved. His remains will be buried in a beautiful wormy chestnut box, handcrafted with love by his cousin, Richard Hamlin, in a private burial at Briggs Family Cemetery in Mars Hill, NC.
Blue Ridge Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences can be sent tot he family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.
Robert graduated from Mars Hill High School in 1955, attended Mars Hill College for a year, then transferred to Stetson University in Deland, FL where he graduated with a degree in Music and Education. He then moved back to NC and attended Western Carolina University where he graduated with a master’s degree in teaching. After graduating he moved back to Sarasota, FL where he did his student teaching at Brentwood Elementary School for two years. After his student teaching was complete, Bobby was hired to teach in the overseas program through the Department of Defense. His first assignment was in Okinawa where he spent a year. He then went to Bermuda for two years.
After Bermuda, Bobby became a Counselor for many years and transferred to The Dodds School in Frankfurt, Germany where he met his good friend, Joan. He received a Counselor position at Frankfurt Platten Elementary School where he worked with individual children, and groups. He would make weekly visits to the classrooms to give the teachers extra time for planning while he worked with the children. Bobby was also there for the faculty members. He organized many long weekend bus tours for them to enjoy, he himself loved train travel and made excellent use of the Euro Pass Program. As a lover of travel, he was open to mingling with the people of the countries he visited. He made many German friends, learned to speak German, Italian and French, and enjoyed their culture.
Bobby always had a yen to travel, as a child he would sit for hours looking at world maps and even drawing pictures of them. Teaching with the Department of Defense gave him his wish to travel. All the time he was away from home, he never missed a week writing home to his parents and sister. He would come home every summer and Christmas to be with them. On his trips home, he would always have a trip planned for his mother; they traveled to NY, the Grand Canyon, and many places closer to home with Aunt Ruby. For his sister’s 50th birthday, he enjoyed treating and showing her around Italy.
Bobby was an Epicurean who loved cooking and experimenting with new dishes. Many would say he was a fine cook, and that gourmet food was important to him. While in Germany he would make trips with his friends to visit starred Michelin Restaurants as well as other exceptional restaurants to endure the taste of fine food. Bobby’s taste was not only exceptional for food, but for fashion as well. He had an enormous wardrobe of beautiful outfits that always suited him perfectly, no matter where he went. Bobby was also a talented piano player.
After retirement, he continued to travel with friends on organized tours through Europe, visiting Paris, London, Hungary, and Spain. Bobby enjoyed watching movies and theater and would often successfully predict Oscar winners. His taste in movies and food was impeccable; he had a unique ability to pair all the new dishes with a good movie.
Bobby had a wonderful personality, he was so kind, thoughtful, cordial, gentle, and well mannered. He will be deeply missed by those who had the privilege of knowing him. He leaves behind a lasting impression on our lives, and we are grateful to have had him in our lives. We will forever cherish the memories we shared with him. Rest in peace dear friend. You were truly the best human being, brother, son, and friend anyone could ever ask for.
Surviving are his sister, Patsy Allen, and husband Bob; one aunt, Evelyn McPeters; several cousins; and his closest friend, Joan who lives in Spain and his care giver and close friend Ali, and many other close friends around the world, too many to name.
At Bobby’s wishes, he wanted to be near his family that he loved. His remains will be buried in a beautiful wormy chestnut box, handcrafted with love by his cousin, Richard Hamlin, in a private burial at Briggs Family Cemetery in Mars Hill, NC.
Blue Ridge Funeral Service is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences can be sent tot he family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.