ROBERT J FEWELL's Obituary
Robert Janes Fewell, 95, has gone home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 5, 2018. A loving husband, a revered father and father-inaw, a loyal friend to many, dedicated to the Baptist Church and an exceptionally bright and successful businessman. Bob was born on February 21, 1922, and treasured calling Miami home. He was certified by the Florida State Genealogical Society as a direct descendant of Daniel Gillette who settled in Manatee County in 1825 before Florida's Statehood in 1845. His mother's family moved south to Miami in 1906 and provided colorful stories of life during those early years. Bob's parents divorced at the start of the Depression, when he was only six, leaving Bob's mother as the sole provider for he and his brother, Glenn Fewell, now deceased. Times were hard, but his mother had an abundance of Southern charm, was a popular piano player and found employment during the Depression managing Boarding Houses. She had a talent of making the darkest day look bright through music, which brought much joy and laughter to Bob and his brother's childhood. As a teenager, Bob attended Miami Senior High School and performed with the Greater Miami Boys Drum & Bugle Corps, under the direction of Caesar LaMonica. In 1943, Bob married his beautiful wife Marian Guthrie. The following year he entered the Navy during World War II and was stationed in Jacksonville and Pensacola. After being honorably discharged, using the GI Bill, he enrolled in Law School at the University of Miami. The next year his daughter, Carole, was born, but Bob and baby Carole had serious health issues and Marian was left carrying the weight of the family problems for a few years. At age 29, he went to work in the management department for the Keyes Co in the downtown Miami Everglades Hotel. Shortly thereafter, he opened the Keyes Co off on Miracle Mile in CG and was in charge of the Land Department which was the division of Real Estate that became his lifelong specialty. Bob loved airplanes and received his pilot's license in 1955. He flew prospective clients all over Florida selling investor's acreage that was not always accessible by roads. Realtor friends called him the"The Flying Realtor" which became his slogan. His reputation for a keen knowledge of Florida's topography, his good instincts analyzing the future value of acreage, and his "soft sell" approach to selling, was sought after by many wealthy investors. Bob was a risk taker and at an early age began to successfully seize investment opportunities himself. In 1959, Ralph Renick, of WTVJ in Miami, invited Bob with approximately 40 other Florida businessmen to travel to Russia on a promotional tour and have an audience with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Bob spoke of this "eye opening" experience for years and the poor quality of life he witnessed in Russia reaffirming to him the importance of capitalism and how very blessed we are as a country. In 1964, Bob left the Keyes Co and opened up his own real estate office, Robert J. Fewell Co. He developed a close business relationship with Realtor Richard Rafter and they enjoyed sharing office space and became partners on several Real Estate ventures. In 1984, they had Shuster & Associates, design the award winning mediterranean 288 Aragon Building in CG where Robert J. Fewell Co is still located. Bob enjoyed Real Estate and was at his office at 9AM until the age of 92. The plaque that always hung in his office regarding business was "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence" and his work ethic emulated that philosophy. In 1961, Bob and Marian built their home in CG where they resided together for the next 57 years. Besides their home in CG, they kept vacation homes in NC and at the Palm Beach Polo Club. He loved traveling and he, his wife and daughter visited countries all over the world. Bob loved CG and generously donated the land in 1998 at the corner of Coral Way and Granada for Fewell Park; the funding for The Robert and Marian Fewell Gallery at the Coral Gables Museum; as well as making substantial contributions to the Sylvester Cancer Institute and the Founders Society of the Baptist Health Foundation. He was a member of the University of Miami Presidents Club and the Society of University Founders. He enjoyed playing golf weekly and had memberships at the Riviera Country Club, Kenmure Country Club in NC and Palm Beach Polo Club. He could be seen many evenings hitting balls after work at the Granada Golf course across from his house. Having many good friends meant so much to Bob. We will love you forever and life will not be the same without you. Bob is survived by his adoring wife, Marian, daughter, Carole and son-in-law Rodd Buell. Visitation is from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM Thursday, February 8 2018, at the Van Orsdel Funeral Home, 4600 SW 8th Street, Coral Gables. A private burial will be held. A "Celebration of Bob's Wonderful Life" will be held at the Christ Journey Church, 624 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables at 2:00 PM Tuesday, February 13, 2018. In lieu of flowers, in Bob's memory donations can be made by calling: Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (305) 243-9088.
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