Robert William Sherwood's Obituary
Robert William Sherwood died peacefully in his home with his family early Sunday morning October 29, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida at the age of 80.
Robert "Bob" is survived by his wife, Nan Sherwood; children, Robert Sherwood Jr (wife Carol), Lynda Jackson (husband Allen), Randall Sherwood (wife Sandra), and Rodney Sherwood; grandchildren, Laura Dean, Steven Dean, Hayley Sherwood, Ryder Sherwood, Rebecca Jackson, Lily Sherwood, and Ridley Sherwood; brother, Roger Sherwood (wife Loueen) of Tampa, Florida; and his beloved dog Libby. He is preceded in death by his mother and father Edythe and Hamilton Sherwood.
Bob was born on June 6, 1937 in Queens, New York to Edythe and Hamilton Sherwood. He graduated from Lynbrook High School in New York in 1955 and attended the University of Florida on a basketball scholarship. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1961 with a degree in Business. He was captain of the UF basketball team and was known by his fans as Bobby Sherwood. He was recently ranked as one of the top 100 players in UF Basketball history by the Gainesville Sun. He also played baseball at the University of Florida and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
He met Nan Williams at the University of Florida and they married in 1958. After college Bob began working in the oil industry and soon took a job with Shell Oil Company. He gave 35 years to Shell culminating his career as a Vice President. The couple welcomed four children into their home and Bob and Nan set about teaching them the virtues of generosity, humor, loyalty, and kindness; the joys of music, travel, and sports; and the blessings of togetherness and family. They made homes in a variety of cities over the years: Philadelphia PA, Miami FL, Jacksonville FL, Long Island NY, Houston TX, Chicago IL, Milwaukee WI, Mission Viejo CA, and Tampa FL, retiring in Gainesville FL. Bob and Nan were married 59 years. His children remember him as a devoted. quick-witted, reliable, strong and generous father who encouraged them to pursue their interests and goals.
Bob loved collecting since he was a boy putting together several impressive collections over his lifetime including baseball cards, sports memorabilia, coins, stamps, Civil War relics and antiques, and Historical American and Native American works of art and sculpture. An avid reader of Civil War history he amassed a vast collection of books, donating select volumes of his collection to the University of Florida Library. He was a true sports fan and one of his favorite pastimes was to attend sporting events with his wife and children. He took his family to see it all: Olympic Games, World Series, Super Bowls, Rose Bowls, NBA and NHL Championships, US Open Golf, Indy 500 Races and, most importantly, the Gators. Bob was a dedicated UF alumni and Bull Gator.
The family wishes to thank Landon Stone and Haven Hospice for their dedicated care and service.
A funeral is scheduled for Friday, November 3, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Westarea, 823 NW 143rd St. in Newberry FL with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Bob's life. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease at the address: UF Foundation, PO Box 100243, Gainesville, FL 32610 (CTRND Fund #F017383 must be noted on the memo line).
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