William R. Underwood
Born September 1, 1931, in Short Mountain, TennesseeDeparted July 31, 2024 in Melbourne, Florida
Bob Underwood, longtime Brevard County businessman, radio personality, farmer and patriarch of the Underwood family, died Wednesday, July 31, 2024, after a long illness. He died one month short of his 93rd birthday.
William Robert Underwood was born at home near Short Mountain in DeKalb County, Tennessee, on Sept. 1, 1931. He was predeceased by his parents, T.C. and Jessie Mae Underwood. In 1949 he married his high-school sweetheart in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He and Althea Grant Underwood were married for 73 years before Mrs. Underwood died in 2022. He is mourned by their six children, Robert Michael (Zilpha) of Tallahassee, Calvin Grant, William Albert, David Gregory, Leo Grant (Cindy) and Joy McKelvey (George) all in the South Brevard County area, eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless cousins across the country. Bob is survived by his brother, Joseph Douglas Underwood and his sister, Dorothy Morrison both of Tennessee.
Bob moved his family to the Space Coast in 1959. For more than 50 years, first with his father-in-law, then with his wife, children and grandchildren, Bob established an aggregation of business ventures: Red Cap Cleaning Service & Supply, Aqua Blue Pools, Banjo Man’s Old Time Pickin’ Parlor, a collection of antique cars, numerous ancillary businesses, real estate, and agricultural investments. A pioneer and leader in the swimming pool construction industry, Bob was inducted into the Swimming Pool Hall of Fame in 1989. He served many roles in the Rotary Club and in 2024 was recognized for being a Rotarian for 70 years.
Consumed by many interests, Bob had a talent for turning them into going concerns. He loved collectible automobiles and had many trophies recognizing his detailed restorations. He turned this into a business, assisting other collectors with restorations. First among his interests, however, Bob loved music. His custom-built swimming pool is a giant replica of his cherished gold-plated banjo. Banjo Man’s Old Time Pickin’ Parlor featured Bluegrass music acts and sold instruments and music lessons. He and Althea travelled widely in a motor home to attend music festivals. They rarely missed the famous Fiddlers’ Jamboree in Smithville, Tennessee. For many years he was “Uncle Bob” on the radio with Banjo Man’s Bluegrass Jamboree on WYRL-FM in Melbourne.
Bob was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Indialantic, helping in many ways including driving the church bus. For more than 20 years Bob and Althea hosted the church’s annual preschool picnic at their home in Melbourne.
As the end drew near, Bob was surrounded by his talented children and many friends. They often sang and played music for him. His daughter Joy, on whom Bob doted, said it was an honor for her to spend his last days with her father.
A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Saturday Aug. 10, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Indialantic, 170 Washington Ave, Indialantic, FL 32903. Memorial donations can be made to Rotary Club of Indialantic Foundation, P.O. Box 33134, Indialantic, FL 32903. Donations can also be made online at: https://indialanticrotary.org/
