Robert Stanard Forbes

1926 - 2024

Robert Stanard Forbes

June 8, 1926 - November 8, 2024

Miami, Florida - Robert S. ("Bobby") Forbes left us for Glory on Nov. 8, 2024, departing peacefully at home, with his loving wife of almost 73 years and his family by his side. He lived a full and remarkable life.

Born in Atlanta, GA on June 8, 1926 to the late G. Lester and Virginia Stanard Forbes, he developed a passion for the great outdoors early on. One that he would pursue with great enthusiasm, through many adventures, making life-long friendships along the way. He also had a passion and deep love for his Lord Jesus Christ, the faithful service of whom was his greatest desire and deepest commitment. His faith was his anchor and his compass, and a lamppost for many whose lives he touched.

Bobby attended Boys High School in Atlanta, where he proved to be a champion swimmer. Shortly after graduating, he enlisted with the United States Navy to serve his Country in the wake of Pearl Harbor. He was enrolled in the Officers' Training Program for the Naval Air Corp at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. and served as an Aviation Cadet until his Honorable Discharge in June of 1947. He attended Emory University on the GI Bill, obtaining his Juris Doctorate with honors in 1950. While at Emory, he was President of the Chi Phi Fraternity, captained the Swim Team and assisted Georgia Tech Swimming Coach, Fred Lanoue, in the development of drownproofing techniques for the United States Navy.

From early youth, Bobby spent his summers at the Athens Y Camp in Tallulah Falls, GA, where he developed into an avid hiker, canoeist, camper and naturalist. By his early teens, he had hiked 120 miles of the Appalachian Trail, paddled canoes from one end of Georgia and Florida to the other, and become a regional authority on snakes and reptiles. The Y-Camp also marked the beginning of many lifelong friendships with people, including Colburn Kelly, with whom he would embark on one of his greatest adventures a 6 month trip down the Amazon River, in a canoe, by themselves and without a guide. He returned to Georgia with malaria and a lifetime of stories.

Shortly thereafter, he started building a cabin on Lake Burton, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. He built it by himself, on property that had no access by road at that time and paddled over all of his building materials in a canoe. He also started practicing law in Atlanta, a career which did not suit him and did not last long. He then went to work for the American Red Cross and traveled the Southeast as a consultant and instructor for the Red Cross Water Safety Programs and the US Marine Corp at Parris Island, SC. He swam and medaled in the Pan American Games in 1951.

It was on Lake Burton that he met the love of his life, Bernice Schulte, in 1951. They married in Atlanta, GA in 1952 and embarked together on their combined greatest adventure of all, which would span the next 72-1/2 years of his life. Together, they made the Lake Burton cabin into their own vacation paradise. The "additions" over the years included three children, their spouses and 6 grandchildren.

After marriage, Bobby started work in Atlanta with the Citizens and Southern National Bank. In 1966 he was recruited by the Coconut Grove Bank in Miami, FL, where he served as Executive Vice President and Senior Trust Officer until his retirement in 1991. While in Miami, he served the community as President of the Coconut Grove Rotary Club and Chairman of the Miami Chapter of the American Red Cross. He also served as a Deacon and an Elder at the Key Biscayne Presbyterian Church. True to form, he embraced his new tropical home with enthusiasm. He explored the Everglades, took up saltwater fishing and became certified in SCUBA, all with children in tow. He bought a sailboat and everyone learned to sail. His retirement years were spent wintering in Miami and summering at Lake Burton, enjoying life with his wife, his children and his grandchildren.

Bobby most definitely lived his life to the fullest measure available and then some. He found joy and grace and gratitude even in the most challenging period of his life, when his health finally began to fade. His light will continue to shine in many of our lives. He will always be a shining example and a beacon of light in our lives.

He is survived by his wife, Bernice S. Forbes, and three children: Robert Stanard Forbes, Jr. (Dana); Page Forbes Rhoad (Hal); and Virginia Forbes Klein (Rob). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Clifton Jennings Rhoad; Cannon Forbes Rhoad (Alexia); Caroline Page Rhoad; Natalie Wiertz Rhoad; Robert Stanard Forbes, III; John Marshall Forbes; and Emily Palmer. He is predeceased by his parents, George Lester Forbes & Virginia Stanard Forbes, as well as his siblings, Virginia Forbes Maner and George Lester Forbes, Jr. He is also predeceased by his beloved grandson, Carter Redd Rhoad.

The entire family is very grateful to the caregivers involved in these last precious months: Joseph Lamur; Norris Sterling; David Lohr; Deloris Brown; Mary Jane Marasigan; and Mayela Espinosa. A private celebration of life will be planned by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Athens YMCA Camp for Boys, Tallulah Falls, GA, The Charles H. Wharton Conservation Center, or to any other charitable organization of your choice.