1936
2019
Robert F. Marx
Indialantic - Robert F. Marx of Indialantic, Florida passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on the Fourth of July 2019 surrounded by his devoted wife and daughters. Bob was born on December 8, 1936, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Leaving home at an early age, he embarked on a life of adventure that took him around the world and under the sea. A pioneer SCUBA diver, Bob was internationally known for his achievements in marine archaeology and maritime history.
Besides being a mentor to many and a famous raconteur, Bob is best known for the archaeological excavation of the sunken city of Port Royal for the government of Jamaica as well as the discovery of the 1656 Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas shipwrecked off Grand Bahama Island. His expedition was featured in a network television documentary Treasure Galleon narrated by Rod Serling.
A proud United States Marine, Bob was a Staff Sargent and the Director of the USMC Diving School, Vieques, Puerto Rico in the 1950s and a Korean War combat veteran.
Bob's many achievements include the discovery of previously unknown Mayan archaeological sites in Honduras and Yucatan and the reenactment of Columbus' 1492 transatlantic voyage on a replica of the Niña II, for which he was made a Knight Commander in the Spanish Government's Order of Isabel the Catholic. In 1964 and 1969 he was the organizer and captain of two voyages of replica Viking ships in order to demonstrate the possibility of pre-Columbian transatlantic contact.
He devoted as many years to archival research as he did to underwater exploration. His research led him to discover over 5,000 shipwrecks in over 60 countries including Phoenician and Roman shipwrecks in the Mediterranean, Chinese, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese shipwrecks in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Artifacts he discovered grace museum exhibits throughout the world. He also assisted in crafting shipwreck legislation for UNESCO and numerous national governments.
The author of over fifty books and 900 articles and papers Bob was Adventure Editor of the Saturday Evening Post, Archaeology Editor of Argosy magazine, and a movie and television consultant.
A founding member of the Los Angeles Neptunes, the USMC Sea Urchins Diving Club, Camp Lejeune, N.C. and the Council of Underwater Archaeology, he was also an Explorer's Club Fellow since 1959.
A 50-year Florida resident, Bob moved to Brevard County to be Director of Research and Salvage for the Real Eight Company. Bob is survived by his wife Jenifer Grant Marx, daughters Cheryl McKee (Knox), Man-O-War Cay, Abaco, Bahamas, India Frazier (Chris), Doylestown, PA and Hilary Gregory (John), Atlanta, GA; brothers Edward Marx, William Mehl, and Joseph Mehl; sisters Nancy Dombrowski and Gloria Gravely; grandsons Christopher and Robert Frazier, Jack and Hudson Gregory of whom he was very proud.
Memorial service is private. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Bob's name to Space Coast Honor Flight: spacecoasthonorflight.org or The Surfrider Foundation: https://www.surfrider.org/support-surfrider
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Brownlie & Maxwell Funeral Service & Crematory.
I lived in Seville in 1962 and would meet Bob at a little Cafe up the street and across the bridge from plaza de cuba. We enjoyed a good breakfast and then Bob was off to the University to continue with his research.
I was in So. california when Bob was trying to get the OK to explore Drake's Bay in Marin County.
Got home a few days too late
Ah Robert those were the days.
Tom Tidwell
Tom Tidwell
Friend
April 16, 2023
Bob came to speak and enthrall the divers at a Down Under Dive Club meeting in 1990 or 1991. I was president of the club back then, and Bob did not hesitate for a minute when I asked if he'd come speak to our group. The presentation Bob Marx gifted our group with was ... well, over 30 years later I still remember it! Bob had that gift of sharing his enthusiasm and passion for exploring and learning about our incredible world underwater. I did all I could to excite our group about shipwreck diving when I was involved with them. My area of interest was mainly World War Two shipwrecks which had been torpedoed by German U-Boats. Bob's area of interest and expertise was much, much broader. I still remember the oil lamps from Haifa that Bob let us handle. 2000 years old! Bob told us he'd recovered so many that the museums were tired of getting them! Now, for a diver, or any human being with a sense of adventure, this man Bob Marx was truly someone to admire. The world won't see many like him in the future. God Bless you Bob Marx, and your family as well. - Joseph Roberts
Joseph Roberts
Friend
May 24, 2022
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of Robert,( Bob ) Marx. He was a real legend to all of us Treasure history folks. R I P Geo
George Polakoff
April 27, 2020
Captivated by him speaking years ago at the Space Coast Writer's Guild in Cocoa Beach. He was to speak of 'writing about his experiences' but instead he spoke eloquently of the adventures themselves. We, the audience, were mesmerized by him and his adventures. So much hated to see that he has passed. A very interesting and cordial gentleman. He did remind me of a sea captain.
Carolyn Moore
April 3, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Robert Burgess
February 15, 2020
RIP Sir Robert. You've done more to advance underwater exploration and archeology than any ten other people I know. My only regret is that I didn't get to know you and your family better. Fare thee well and Semper Fi.
Edward Dec
Friend
February 7, 2020
Edward Dec
February 7, 2020
Edward Dec
February 7, 2020
I have known Bob for years through the Our World Underwater Dive Show in Chicago. I considered him a great friend and was shocked when I heard about his passing. I will miss his stories.
George Muszynski
George Muszynski
September 25, 2019
Sir Robert Marx. May you rest in peace. Mr. Marx touched many lives, including mine. I treasure the memory of the several conversations I had with him. My library is honored by almost every book he wrote and many magazines articles of his as well. He lives on in his family, numerous libraries, both public and private, and in the memory of many who dream of the adventures he lived. The world is a much less interesting place with his passing.
Brett Fernholz
August 3, 2019
We enjoyed hearing of some of his treasure hunting adventures at an FIT lecture. Bob had such an amazing full and adventurous life. Wishing Jenifer and their children and grandchildren peace and comfort for their loss.
Jamie and Karen Cox
July 26, 2019
R.I.P. Bob
Mário Almeida
July 23, 2019
Jennifer and family, How lucky you were to be part of Bob's adventures and his private life! He truly was one of kind. I met him early in my diving adventures and always looked forward to him joining us at the book signing booth. at BTS. People would come to the booth with bags of books to sign. and he just took it in stride, always convincing them to buy another. Take care, Carolyn
carolyn nickels
July 22, 2019
We have lost a great adventurer, speaker and all round interesting nice guy. So happy to have met hi:m and heard his stories. He and wife Jenifer formed an amazing partnership.
Shirlee Walker
Shirlee Walker
July 14, 2019
Known Bob 30+ years, proudly wear one of his gold coins, he was a do life my way man. I loved sitting with him at his house with lovely Jennifer for hours listening to his thousands of stories of adventures. We are so lucky to have all his writings to relive his adventures forever. A one of a kind guy. God Speed Bob!
Spencer Slate
July 13, 2019
I met Bob when I owned AGEM Photography in Indialantic. I still treasure a silver coin from one of his finds. Bob was truly a man's man
Ed McCue
Lancaster PA
Ed McCue
July 11, 2019
I am very honored to have met Bob and attended a few of his lectures! I was quite saddened to see this. He lived a simply amazing life and I stand in awe of it! Yes, a true marine! My last words as usual were always, "SEMPER FI". Thanks Bob, well done mate!
Scott Overmyer
July 11, 2019
We will enjoy our books given to us by Bob and Jenifer and cherish our neighborhood laughs!!
Mike and Gail Fischer
July 10, 2019
Bob lived his life his way... he was Marine and an explorer.. he dove deeper and and flew higher.. I was proud to be his friend... Godspeed Bob...
Dennis Kretschman
Friend
July 9, 2019
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