Bob “Tub” Langford, 84, of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug 3, 2026, in his home surrounded by family and loved ones. Born on May 31,1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, Bob was the beloved son of Lillian and Joe Peak.

Bob lived a remarkable life shaped by music, innovation, service, and an enduring love for history and community. During the golden era of Southern rock, he built a distinguished career as an audio engineer and producer, working in the music centers of Atlanta, Memphis, and Muscle Shoals alongside some of the era’s most influential artists and producers, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Al Kooper, Joe South, and the Atlanta Rhythm Section. In 1973, Bob worked alongside Al Kooper as a studio engineer on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s iconic debut album, helping capture the sound of a band that would become one of the defining voices of Southern rock and introducing the world to “Free Bird.” His work with the Atlanta Rhythm Section and Joe South further reflected his talent and reputation within the recording industry. Yet Bob was never content simply to work within the technology of his time. His natural curiosity and inventive spirit led him to build the Crystal Palace studio in Atlanta, engineer at Studio One, develop new audio technology, secure a U.S. patent for an “Audio Signal Processing System,” and collaborate with Lexicon on audio hardware development.

When Bob later made New Port Richey, Florida, his home, he brought that same energy, creativity, and determination to the community he came to love. For more than two decades, he devoted himself to public service and civic life, serving a cumulative nine years on the New Port Richey City Council, including two years as Deputy Mayor. He also shared his time and expertise with organizations dedicated to strengthening and preserving the community, including the West Pasco Historical Society, the Pasco Fine Arts Council, and the New Port Richey Fireman’s Pension Board.

Perhaps one of Bob’s most enduring passions was the preservation of the historic Hacienda Hotel, the beloved 1927 landmark he affectionately called the “crown jewel” of downtown New Port Richey. Through his work with the Friends of the Hacienda, Bob became a steadfast advocate for protecting, restoring, and preserving the building and the history it represented. To him, preserving the past was not simply about saving old buildings—it was about honoring the people, stories, and traditions that gave a community its identity.

Throughout his life, Bob followed his passions with curiosity, conviction, and purpose. Whether he was behind a recording console, creating new technology, serving in city government, or working to preserve a piece of his adopted hometown’s history, he brought his talents generously to every endeavor. His legacy lives on in the music he helped create, the innovations he contributed to the recording industry, the history he worked tirelessly to protect, and the community he proudly served. Bob “Tub” Langford will be remembered not only for the remarkable things he accomplished, but for the love he shared with family and friends, and the difference he made in the lives and places he touched.

Bob will be deeply missed by his wife, Ann Rusaw Langford, stepchildren Craig Johnson (Belinda), Paige Camp (Marc), Tracy Hammond (Kevin), Corey Duncan (Michelle), stepbrother Gary Peak (Linda), cousin Bill Lambert (June), 5 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren, and many beloved extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lillian and Joe, brother Lanny Langford, and nephew Lanny Langford, Jr.

A memorial/celebration of life will be held on September 5 at 1:00pm at Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home Seven Springs Chapel, located at 8825 Old County Rd 54, New Port Richey, FL 34653. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Gulf Harbors Yacht Club, 3926 Marine Pkwy, New Port Richey, FL 34652, from 2:30 to 6:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to The West Pasco Historical Society,  The Red Apple Adult Training Center, or the Gulfside Hospice in Bob’s memory.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to their dear friends, Gulfside Hospice, and the New Port Richey community for their love, care, and support during Bob’s life. Bob will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing him.