Robert Stanley “Bob” Weston, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, passed away on March 26th, 2024 in Palm Harbor, Florida. Born to Leonor Silviera and Frank Weston on April 27th, 1933 in Horta, Faial, Azores.
Bob’s early years were shared with his sister Yvonne and his best friend Gabriel in Horta. Most of the time he was playing football “soccer”, watching the fishermen along the seawall of the main harbor, or visiting his friends in the neighborhood.
At the age of 11, he went to school in Lisbon, Portugal for a few years and then went to boarding school in Chard, Somerset, England. He continued to excel in football and rugby and favored geography, mathematics and languages.
He graduated from the South-west Essex Technical College after studying surveying, photogrammetry and civil engineering and shortly after became a member of The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in 1958.
In 1960, Bob married Regine Cecilia Farthing in Chard, Somerset before starting on their professional careers. Bob’s first assignment was to assist the Jamaican government in improving the roads, bridges and mapping capabilities around the Island.
While in Kingston, Jamaica, Bob and Regine had two sons (Neil – 1962 and Ian – 1965). Bob was actively involved in motor rallying (navigator), badminton, and building his professional network. He later formed a surveying and photogrammetry company with three other partners. He began to specialize in aerial photogrammetry and was a member of the team which produced the first Shell map of the island.
Between 1976-1978, Bob moved his family from Kingston, Jamaica to the Tampa/Clearwater, Florida area. He joined an engineering firm in Tampa and a bit later in his career, he became the Hillsborough County Surveyor. He had an extensive network of friends and colleagues and really enjoyed teaching and mentoring others in surveying and mapping. He even found time to host and promote golf tournaments in Tampa for the benefit of students and local/regional surveyors.
During his life, Bob enjoyed traveling the world with his family and later in life with his two grandchildren, Stefan and Brittany. He even managed to take his grandchildren back to the Azores to see the family home and where he spent his early years
On the 19th of March 2020, Bob and Regine were fortunate enough to celebrate their Diamond Wedding Anniversary and received a congratulatory note from Queen Elizabeth II.
Bob will be greatly missed by his family, friends and colleagues across Florida, Somerset England, France and the Azores.
Robert Brooks Keim
March 31, 2024, 9:00 pm
I had the incredible opportunity to spend more than twenty years working with Bob at Hillsborough County – he as Surveyor, I as head of Geographic Information Systems- and both of us as fans of Liverpool’s “football” team. And I had the gift of getting to know his son Neil. He was a beloved manager, co-worker, and friend, and will very much be missed. My wife Irene and I send our deepest condolences.
Jeff Faraghan
April 1, 2024, 3:12 pm
I remember being interviewed by Bob Weston for a survey job when I first started with Hillsborough county and as scared and as nervous as I was at 20 years old when I came into his office he greeted me with a smile and a handshake and made me feel very at ease at that moment we talked and he said although your math skills are a little lacking there are opportunities for you here to move up and get help if you need it and want it so I will start you at the entry level and you can work your way up if you want to and if you need any help I will do what I can to help you.
He was very professional with me and always had a kind word and encouragement at my evaluation times. I like Mr Weston he was a very good man with a good sense of humor in laugh.
My condolences to his wife and his sons.
Mike Farthing
April 3, 2024, 8:45 pm
Uncle Bob, you’ll be greatly missed by myself and the family. We’re all so grateful to have had you as an uncle.
One of my fondest memories which will remain with me forever is when we both went to Anfield to watch Liverpool and we had the privilege to meet with the Liverpool staff and players and we were treated like royalty, we were both absolutely in shock of the whole experience we had at Liverpool which Uncle Bob and I always used to recount when we were together.
You were a fantastic uncle and someone who we all couldn’t wait to see and spend time with as you were such a likeable and kind person. His wonderful personality and kind nature came through to anyone who met him.
Rest in peace, all our love Mikee and the family.xx
Isabel England
April 7, 2024, 8:25 am
Dear Uncle Bob, this has been the hardest thing to write, how to encompass what you mean to us. A wonderful uncle who will be sorely missed. Your visits were always filled with fun, laughter, storytelling and reminiscences. What fond memories we all have of you. Natalie and George will always remember you taking them Trick or Treating and returning home with two sacks full of sweets. I will always remember a day long fishing trip in the Gulf when I caught a number of large grouper and a sudden gust of wind blew away your beloved LFC cap that I was wearing! You subsequently threatened to throw me overboard!
Over the years we would chat regularly on the phone putting the world to rights. You were a dearly loved uncle whose kindness and generosity were unsurpassed. You will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Uncle Bob, all over love, Isabel, Paul, Natalie and George
Robin Ginner
April 21, 2024, 12:43 pm
I first met Bob in 1954 at College where we attended Land Surveying and Engineering paying particular interest to roads and drainage. We lived together in Leytonstone for 3 years before he applied to join The Roads and Safety Department in Jamaica. He subsequently encouraged me to join him there and we worked together many times. We spent our time off playing badminton and motor-rallying , becoming judges and even persuading our wives to officiate too! Bob and I were also line judges (for badminton) at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica!
He could turn his hand to anything!
We then went our separate ways – Bob and his family headed to Florida and I returned to England with my young family.
Whilst we had not seen each other for many many years, we kept in touch by phone and discussed families and football!
Kenney Browning
June 27, 2024, 2:33 pm
When you can say your boss was also a mentor, and made you feel like a friend, you know you have worked for a great person. What a privilege and honor to work for “Mr. Weston”. Bob was instrumental for many of us making our careers at Hillsborough County’s Survey & Mapping Department. Some went on to work in other departments but could always rely on Bob to assist them when needed be it in person or by phoning him. His leadership and skills within the surveying and engineering communities was greatly respected and helpful to established and up and coming individuals and companies. We couldn’t thank Bob enough for all the fun times he also made happen for us. Our condolences to family and the many friends and folks whose lives he touched in his special way.
Jayne Regan
July 14, 2024, 11:30 am
Chris & Jayne Regan
England
So sad to hear this news. Bob and Reggie played a big part in our family vacations every year in Palm Harbor. Bob and Reggie had fun times with my parents George and Thelma Downey were we would go to the house and would have the Portuguese stew and Emma would go in the jacuzzi bath as she was only small. Reggie and George would have heated friendly political debates.Great nights in molly goodheads and various restaurants so glad we got to see you May 2023 and as always got the Jamaican parties in for us. We also met Tammy who was a great friend to bob and who he thought the world
RIP Bob with Reggie xx
Jayne Chris and Emma Regan