RIP Bob Hewes

fireboat · 06-29-2010, 05:12 AM

I was sadden to see the passing of Bob Hewes in today's paper. Bob was a great innovator and a true icon in the marine industry. Bob had an incredible passion for boats. He loved being on the water, he loved fishing and he really, really loved tinkering with his boats to make them better.
Always upbeat, he was a wonderful person to know, he loved his family, he was honest, funny and kind. You can tell the kind of person that he was by the company he kept. Greats like Lefty Kreh, Bill Curtis, Curt Gowdy, Joe Garagiola and many many others were good friends of his.
I was priviledged to have know him for nearly 40 years.
So smooth seas Bob, and Merry Christmas!

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/her...&pid=143835536

LeoCraft · 06-29-2010, 05:27 AM

You are very lucky to have known a great man. Every time I saw or passed a Hewes flats boat, I admired the true workmanship you dont see often and knew the owner of that vessel was lucky as well. Now he'll be able to see all his boats and what they're doing!

Sea Hawk · 06-29-2010, 05:31 AM

R.I.P Bob, I met him several years a go and just like you have said it a real gentleman, I did some work for him at his house in Big Pine Key, he got me tickets for the Miami Boat show, when you were around him you never wanted to leave, so many stories and and he never minded spending the hours talking about boats.

I'm sure God
has kept a special place for him in heaven.

Rest In Peace Bob Hewes.

billatstarbrite · 06-29-2010, 05:31 AM

Bob was the best. I had the huge honor of meeting him a few years ago. He will be missed. To say he is a legend is a massive understatement. Please send your prayers to his family - they are a very special bunch and he was very proud of them.

Afishinado · 06-29-2010, 05:32 AM

Never met the man, but he certainly was a legend in the industry, RIP

lemaymiami · 06-29-2010, 07:20 AM

I actually met his brother Sonny long before I met Bob. Both were pioneers in the world of flats boats. When I first showed up in Miami, 1971, a flats boat was not something that was very common. If you saw one being trailered down the road it was probably someone you knew.... Bob's boats set the standard back then and were the best you could buy. Nowadays flats boats are found everywhere you go, but in those early days he had the only production boat that everyone wanted. I never owned one but had many friends that did. I last saw Bob at the 79th Street boat ramp just a few months ago where he was helping someone sort out one of his skiffs. The Hewes brand left my area some years ago to be part of the Maverick line (these days the Maverick, Hewes, Pathfinder line is out of Ft. Pierce) but they're still very good skiffs and worth a look by anyone wanting a properly built flats boat.

Sonny passed away some years ago, now Bob. I'd be lucky to have as long and productive life as Bob Hewes - that's a pretty good testament, and I'll try to attend the services tomorrow.

floridarob · 06-29-2010, 07:25 AM

We had a very early Hewes Bonefisher.....fit and quality on that boat was outstanding.....I believe it was an early 70's, and was an 18' with a 125 Johnson on it....great boat.....Hewes did alot to the flats boats industry....he was a huge part of what is out there today.....at least it appears that he lived a good life, RIP Mr. Hewes......

FloridaRob
30 Grady Marlin
250 ETECS

finbuster1 · 06-29-2010, 07:42 AM

R.I.P. Bob. I had the pleasure of working for Bob Hewes Boats in the late 80's and although Bob was pretty much retired and out of the picture on a daily basis he did show up from time to time since the business was still family owned. He was always smiling and would joke around with people. He was a pleasure to talk to and a deffinate icon. My thoughts and prayes go out to the family.

fireboat · 06-29-2010, 09:47 AM

lemaymiami, I knew Sonny as well. He was a character too. He loved his shotguns and I believe he was a national trap champion at one time.
I worked for both of them at the river store back around 1970.
I plan to be there tomorrow as well.

lemaymiami · 06-29-2010, 10:13 AM

Don't know if I can be there. The first time I met Sonny was down at their river store and yes, he did try to sell me a shotgun.... I was just a learning mate working on my first boats back then and didn't have the money (I think the hull was a whole $3500 in those days...) to buy a quality skiff. Those hulls were the best thing going at the time. The classic guide model back then included two comfortable deck chairs bolted to the floor for the anglers and a tiny side console for the guide to run the skiff, either near the front or back by the rear deck...