Robert Hill Fulford Jr.

July 7, 1950 - December 23, 2020

Obituary of Robert “Bob” Hill Fulford, Jr. Bob was a beloved husband, son, brother, cousin, and friend to all those who met him. He was a devoted family member to both the Fulford family as well as his wife’s Philips and Garrett clans. For his wife Betsy, he was a beautiful friend, husband, and lifetime companion of 46 years. The two had a wonderful life and a deep spiritual connection. He was a real estate agent, broker, and developer, as well as an avid sailor, musician, song writer, world traveler, and nature lover. He passed away peacefully at the age of 70 on December 23, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida. For the past 30 years, Bob and his wife traveled for two or three months every summer. They visited over 75 countries and did home exchanges making lifelong friends through many of those. Bob particularly enjoyed meeting and spending time with people in each culture that they had studied before traveling. There were so many amazing places, he had a hard time picking a favorite. The trip to six African countries and the trip to Australia were at the top because of the amazing wildlife. The couple returned to Europe many times and ventured into the east, west, north and south. More exotic places they enjoyed were Peru, Russia, China, Japan, and Korea. No matter where he went, Bob was gregarious and popular with everyone. People and animal stories were the ones he told when he returned. Bob was born in Tallahassee and lived most of his young life there, except for a short stay in White City, Florida where his father worked as a teacher and principal. He went to Caroline Brevard Elementary, Florida High, and then to Florida State University (FSU). He received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting, and then completed 32 credits of a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Finance. Bob was music lover – he was drummer in a rock band for a while and loved playing the piano and guitar, as well as composing songs. His favorite pastimes were getting out in nature, boating, crabbing and scalloping. Maybe you would have known him in the 1970s. Bob was part owner and resident manager of the Oak and Hearthstone Apartments on College Avenue. He was the manager of the Multi-Media Laboratories Instructional Television Studio at FSU. He worked for Video 21 as a comptroller. Then in 1983, he developed his own video store with the country’s first drive-in window called the Drive-In Movies Video Store. He sold it to his partner in 1986. Bob particularly enjoyed starting businesses then selling to someone else to run. If you knew Bob from his Tallahassee real estate career, he started with Coldwell Banker Chip Hartung & Associates in 1987 and then started his own company, Fulford Realty, Inc. and became a broker and property manager. His most important accomplishment was buying and brokering properties, remodeling and revitalizing houses in Seminole Manor. In 1988, he renamed his company American Home Agency, Inc. and sold it to his partner. He kept the name Fulford Realty to be able to continue real estate in Florida while he went on his next adventure. He was passionate about real estate and especially about creating something new out of something that had seen better days. A house was just a gift that you could wrap any way you want to! When his wife Betsy completed her Ph.D. 1989, Bob suggested that she “get a job in Hawaii.” Within six months, she secured a position as professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. While keeping one foot in Florida and one in Hawaii, Bob joined Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties in Honolulu in 1992. From 2003 and 2005, Bob developed Mahinui Garden LLC in Kaneohe, Hawaii. It was a 20-unit project that included remodeled, as well as new homes. He loved sailing in Hawaii and hosting visitors that came to its beautiful shores. The success of Mahinui Garden launched him back to Florida for his semi-retirement and the last of his days. He purchased Hayes Mobile Home Park in east Tallahassee in 2005 and in his usual fashion, he remodeled, revitalized and expanded this business that now has 24 rental units. Bob was fond of the people there and helped them when he could. They enjoyed his quick wit and easy going manner. Bob was a success through his hard work and perseverance. He lived a wonderful life. Every summer was an adventure, though his favorite place was sitting the dock of their Aucilla River house or sailing in the Gulf of Mexico. If you had a chance to sit and talk to Bob, he would spin you a tale, give you friendly advice, or lend a helping hand. He was always willing to share his knowledge of what he had learned about travel or real estate to those who were interested. Bob will be sorely missed by many friends and loved ones. Bob was preceded in death by his mother Geraldine “Geri” Connell Fulford, father Robert “Bob” Hill Fulford, Sr., and sister Marsha Lee Fulford. He is survived by his wife Catherine “Betsy” Philips Fulford; sisters Kate Gaynor Fulford, Meg America Fulford and her husband Alex Stigliano, and their mother Annie Gaynor Fulford; brother Dennis “Denny” Huel Fulford and his wife Tiffany M. Fulford, step-sister Lauri Fulford and her family, and their mother Betty Wheeler Ramsey; and his uncle Kenneth “Ken” Fulford and his son Kevin Fulford. He also leaves his wife’s sister Jane Philips Collins, and her husband Steve Collins and their grandson Riley Lafayette Hall; and her half-sister Carolyn Long and her husband Doug Wonderlic. He also has many loving cousins and relatives that will miss him in both extended families. In this this season of giving, instead of flowers please consider donating to one of the following charities in Bob’s name OR to the charity of your choice. Bob was particularly passionate about saving wildlife. The White Oak Plantation is adjacent to our family timber farm - https://www.whiteoakwildlife.org/. It is a one-of-a-kind center for conservation of endangered species. If you decide to donate there, please put in the additional comments at the bottom: In Memory of Bob Fulford”. https://www.whiteoakwildlife.org/support-white-oak/ You may also call or mail in a donation. You may contact them at 904-225-3200, [email protected], White Oak Conservation, 581705 White Oak Road, Yulee Fl, 32097 Bob was very supportive of Betsy’s career and of the department who was part of his Hawaii ohana (family), https://coe.hawaii.edu/ltec/. Donations can be made to the Department of Learning Design and Technology, College of Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1776 University Avenue, Wist 231, Honolulu, HI 96815 OR online at https://giving.uhfoundation.org/funds/12436504. On the second page you can indicate “In Memory of Bob Fulford” under the Additional Donor Information/Special Instructions. Please let his wife know of your donation. Because of Covid-19, the family will delay memorial services. Though the family would greatly appreciate you viewing, sharing comments or stories, and adding pictures on Bob’s permanent tribute page here, where you will see other pictures and videos in honor of him. The family is being assisted by Skip Young and Jackie Fulford (a cousin) of Young Fulford Funeral Home and Crematory of Tallahassee, Florida. 850-610-4444 - YoungFulford.com