Richard Alvin Bunnell

1943 - 2023

Richard Alvin Bunnell
July 12, 1943 - January 9, 2023
Miami, Florida - Richard Alvin "Dick" Bunnell of Miami passed away on January 9th surrounded by family and loved ones. He was 79.
Dick was the son of George Alvin Bunnell and Lillian Hurley Bunnell and a third generation Floridian whose family were marine construction pioneers in Miami. He joined the Navy in 1961, serving in a construction battalion commonly known as "Seabees", in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Following his service, he attended Miami Dade Junior College and the University of Miami School of Engineering.
Dick led Bunnell Foundation, Inc. for over 40 years, continuing a family legacy that dates back over a century. Dick's grandfather, George Eli Bunnell, founded the business in Miami in 1911 and worked on projects with Henry Flagler, Carl Fisher and the Brickells, including the Key West extension. Dick's father expanded the business and helped to build many city landmarks including The Fontainebleau Hotel, Eden Roc and the Orange Bowl. Under Dick's leadership, Bunnell Foundation was a contractor for the Miami Beach Marina, Dinner Key Harbor, Elliott Key Marina, and several other notable projects in South Florida. Dick mentored his stepson, Christopher Rodriguez, former member of the Coast Guard, to carry on the family tradition by being the fourth generation serving as president of now Bunnell Marine.
Dick was a generous and civic-minded member of the community who devoted time supporting several charitable and professional groups in Miami. He was Chairman of the City of Miami Waterfront Advisory Board and Miami River Commission, served as a board member on the Marine Counsel, and was named Maritime Person of the Year in 2002 by the Propeller Club of the Port of Miami. He helped develop the Manatee Halfway House at the Miami Seaquarium and was a longtime supporter of Shake-A-Leg, a charity serving children and adults with disabilities.
An avid fan of Rudyard Kipling, Dick often quoted If and gave copies of the poem to many of his family and friends, recommending that they read the poem when challenges in life arose.
"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;"
Dick was the beloved husband of Carmen Bunnell, stepfather to Rudy, Christopher (Tatiana) and Juliette Rodriguez. He was a dear brother to George Bunnell (deceased), Diana Bunnell Busby, Rosemary Bunnell and Ted Bunnell, and stepbrother to Patricia Corbett, Louise and Jimmy Lyons. Dick was a cherished Uncle to Kelley Bunnell Binder, Courtney (Nick) Bunnell Lewis, Jennifer White, Karen (Jeff) Odell, and Christopher (Cassie) Busby, and devoted grandfather to six grandchildren.
A visitation for Dick will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Caballero Rivero Little Havana, 3344 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33135. Following the visitation will be a graveside service with military honors from 2:30 PM to 3:00 PM at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn North, 3260 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33135.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dick Bunnell's name to Shake-A-Leg, https://www.shakealegmiami.org/get-involved/donate/donate-now/