Robert Blount Obituary

Robert Shelley Blount III passed away Friday, May 26, 2023 after a short illness. Rob is survived by his wife of 54 years Andi (nee Hardy), his brothers Don (Vicky) and Steve (Andrea) and two nephews, Austin (Leigha) and Chandler. Rob was born in Savannah, GA in 1946 at the leading edge of the Baby Boom to Robert S. Blount, Jr. and Margaret Lorraine Blount (nee Miller). The family lived in Jackson, TN, Birmingham and Little Rock before alighting in Clarksdale, MS when Rob was 10. There he acquired a lifelong affection for cane syrup, barbecue and music. Performing on contrabass clarinet with the high school band gave him a classical foundation, but living in a house just seven miles from the Crossroads where highways 49 and 61 intersect it was the Delta blues that became his passion. Cruising the backroads of the Delta on his Cushman Super Eagle motorcycle brought Rob into close contact with the culture and he marinated happily in the sounds of Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf and John Hurt, eventually convincing his mother to trade in a few books of her prized Green Stamps for a Kay six-string guitar. Two years of engineering school at Mississippi State convinced Rob that he did not want to be an engineer, and the familys fortuitous move to Florida in 1964 gave him the opening he was looking for. Unbeknownst to his parents, Rob dropped calculus and chemistry and enrolled in art classes. After spending most of the subsequent summer splaining himself to them, he transferred to the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor of Design degree, becoming a sought-after printmaker and lithographer. It was at UF that Rob met Andi and they married in 1968. He formed the Backwater Blues Band with brothers Don and Steve, and they became regulars, performing at University events and venues around Gainesville. Soon after graduation, Rob embarked on a career in museums, becoming the chief exhibits designer for the Florida State Museum in Gainesville. He pioneered immersive exhibits, building a walk-through replica of a typical Florida solution cave and the interior of a Maya temple. For the latter he brought a team of Maya artists from Mexico to complete the elaborate interior paintings. He documented one of the museums digs in Mexico with photographs that were published in National Geographic. Over the course of a long career, Rob earned a masters degree in history from FSU and his book about turpentine production in the south, Spirits of Turpentine, is still the definitive study of naval stores production, once Floridas largest industry. He was the first director of the Florida Agricultural Museum in Tallahassee. He was later the museum director of The House of Refuge and Elliott Museum in South Florida. His last museum position was as director of Mission San Luis in Tallahassee. At the Mission, he oversaw the expansive living history campus, which tells the story of Spanish settlements in West Florida. He launched and directed The Georgia Music Hall of Fame inception, design and artifact collection through operation. As museum director, he oversaw the completion of the Tampa Bay History Center and Virginia Key Beach ecoseum. Rob also consulted for the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, the National Music Center of Canada, the Big House Foundation and the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.The music museums were a particular passion, and they gave Rob the opportunity to meet and interview many music legends including Little Richard and Chuck Leavell (Allman Brothers, Rolling Stones). Rob not only played music and curated music museums, he also promoted music and musicians. During his long affiliation with Charles Steadham at the Blade Agency he photographed and designed album covers and promotional material for artists including Mike Cross, the Peyton Brothers and Gamble Rogers. Retiring to Keystone Heights, FL in 2016, Rob devoted his time to land conservation and playing music. An accomplished bassist, he performed numerous times at the Florida Folk Festival with the Picolata Strings and, more recently the Cajun group Gumbo Limbo. He formerly served as the Executive Director of the Putnam Land Conservancy and was a member of its board of directors at the time of his death. In retirement, Rob and Andi spent time canoeing and traveled to visit friends, to birdwatch and enjoy nature. Rob often fished with friends, and he encouraged Andi to continue her careers in journalism and libraries. In 2019, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Yellowstone National Park. While at home in Keystone Heights, they promoted conservation causes, environmental awareness and community activism. Rob is remembered by friends and family for his generosity and diverse talents, but also for his quick wit and quirky sense of humor. He often closed conversations saying, "Well talk soon. Until then, hang by your thumbs and write if you find work." Arrangements are by JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 E. Walker Dr., Keystone Heights, FL 32656. (352)473-3176. www.jonesgallagherfh.com
Cemetery
Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery
7204 SE County Road 234
Gainesville FL 32641
US
Funeral Home
Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights
340 East Walker Drive
Keystone Heights FL - 32656
US
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