Robert L. "Bob" McSpadden

Former president of Gulf Coast Community College, Dr. Robert L. "Bob" McSpadden passed away on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, after a brief illness. He was 71.

Born in 1944 into a military family, the McSpaddens were stationed at Tyndall AFB in Panama City while he attended elementary and junior high school. Later, the family moved to Alaska where he graduated high school. In 1963, at the insistence of his father, McSpadden returned to Panama City from a lucrative job working on an Alaskan remote missile site to become a student at Gulf Coast Junior College. Then the college was little more than three buildings with dirt parking lots. During that same year, he met his future wife, the former Bernice McKenzie, and was elected president of the student government. As a respected student leader, he quickly attracted the attention of the college president who promised him a job after he acquired his master's degree. In 1969, after graduating with his master's degree from Florida State University in political science, he returned to Gulf Coast as an assistant professor.

In 1986, he earned his Ed.D. from FSU while working at the college. Always interested in government, and a quick study, McSpadden held various administrative jobs at the college until 1987 when he was named the fourth president of Gulf Coast Community College. He held that position for the next 20 years until his retirement in 2007. As president, "Dr. Bob," as he was affectionately known, served on the boards and was the president of many of the area's most important organizations. He served on the board of directors of United Way, Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Anchorage Children's Home, Bay Defense Alliance, Florida's Great Northwest, The Florida State University Alumni Association, and was a lifetime member of the Gulf Coast Community College Foundation. He was the president of the Council of Florida Community Colleges, and in 2006 received that council's highest honor, The Dr. James L Wattenbarger Award. In 2005, the Bay County Chamber of Commerce awarded him its highest award, The Lauren Merriam Memorial Award.

Bob loved Gulf Coast with a passion, and he worked tirelessly to ensure that the college maintained an excellence that was unrivaled. In the 38 years he worked at the college, he poured his energy, talents, and love into the lives of countless students, faculty, and staff. He was a man of quiet integrity whose office door was always open, and he became a friend and mentor to many of his associates. He left a legacy of excellence, and his dedication to the college went farther and deeper than a man's love of his work.

There was only one thing Bob loved more than the college, and that was his family. He and his wife, Bernice, were the proud parents of two daughters, Jennifer and Kelly, and the proud grandparents of three grandchildren. Bob was an avid fisherman and boat enthusiast and spent many happy hours on the waters of Bay County. He was also a big supporter of his alma mater, FSU, and especially loved watching the Seminoles play football.

Dr. McSpadden was predeceased by his parents, Henry Cecil McSpadden and Nona Halfacre McSpadden. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Bernice, and by his two daughters, Jennifer Blodgett (Lee) and Kelly Hughes (Eddie) and by his three beloved grandchildren, Madison and Bradley Blodgett, and Emily Hughes. He is also survived by his siblings: Dick McSpadden (Ann), David McSpadden, Darrell McSpadden (Barbara), and Mollie Arthur (David), and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Dr. McSpadden's memorial service will be on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, at 11 a.m., at the St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Panama City. Honorary pall bearers will be Dick McSpadden, David McSpadden, Darrell McSpadden, Mollie Arthur, Ted McKenzie, Curtis Murphy, Lee Blodgett and Eddie Hughes. The Rev. Amy Persons Parkes will conduct the funeral and speakers will include Mr. Allan Bense, Ms. Sandy Sale and Dr. John Holdnak.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Southerland Family Funeral Home, 100 E. 19th Street, Panama City, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made in Dr. McSpadden's name to the Gulf Coast State College Foundation, 5230 W. Highway 98, Panama City, FL 32401.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted at www.southerlandfamily.com

Southerland Family
Funeral Homes
100 E. 19th St.
Panama City, Fla. 32405
850-785-8532