Obituary of Robert Lewis Husbands

Robert (Bob) Lewis Husbands passed away peacefully at his home in Pensacola, FL, on July 16, 2024, after a long illness. His cherished wife of nearly forty-nine years, Gail Pearce Husbands, was at his side, along with Bob’s sister, Lynn, and his son, Collin.  Bob was born on July 24, 1945, in Edisto Swamp, SC, to Fred Collins and Roseva Riley Husbands and spent his youth in the Southeast. 

Bob attended Manor High School, from which he graduated as an accomplished athlete, popular student leader, and valedictorian.   This gifted young man received a full scholarship to Oglethorpe University and became a Fulbright Scholar to India.  While in India, Bob enjoyed tea at the Taj Mahal with Indira Gandhi. Upon graduation, Bob joined the Peace Corps, but while waiting to assume his assignment to language school, he was drafted.  After serving in the US Navy, Bob entered the field of public education, where he was destined to make a true and positive difference.

Bob first taught high school history and served as a high school principal in Waycross, GA.  Later, as the Executive Director of the Escambia Education Association for more than twenty years, Bob worked tirelessly for the rights of both faculty and students at the grade school and college levels.  He used his intelligence, calm demeanor, and steel-backboned integrity to resolve sensitive and complicated problems facing faculty and school administrators.  His efforts earned him multiple accolades, including a life-long membership in the PTA awarded by the Escambia County Council of PTAs. 

As a professional, Bob was an exemplar; as a father, he was a pillar of  inspiration, love, and support.  Nothing pleased him more than time and adventures with his only son Colin Husbands and the three precious grandchildren that were the light of his life. As a longtime member of Christ Church Episcopal, Bob believed  in a life of faith, leaving a proud legacy of service and kindness. Friendships always buoyed his life, and, as a dear friend says, you could call him at 3:00 am from the Everglades and he would wade through the snakes to get you out.

Bob will be dearly missed by his many EEA friends and colleagues, his Azalea Trace “family,” and the much-loved Tuesday Dinner Group.  He is survived by his devoted wife, Gail Pearce Husbands, sister Eva Lynn Ratliff (Mike) of Nashville, brother David Husbands (Margaret) of Macon, GA, beloved son Collin and grandchildren Jackson Pearce, Riley Dunwoody, and Georgia Catherine Husbands  (Catherine Dunwoody Jackson) of Nashville, TN and sister-in-law Lana Helton (Ed) of Columbus, GA.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm on July 24, 2024

Christ Church Episcopal

18 West Wright Street

Pensacola, FL

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church Episcopal for the Sam Boney Music/Scholarship Fund.