Robert Holland Muir

Robert Holland Muir of Apollo Beach, Florida, devoted husband, best friend and co-traveler in life to Lisa for 41 years, passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the age of 85 of stroke-related complications. He was held by his wife and surrounded by family. Bob left behind three children: Heather Lyn (Richard) Leps, Robert Todd (Allison) Muir and Justin Holland (Rebecca) Muir, along with four grandchildren.

Bob led a full life, filled with love, adventure, travel and learning. Born an only child in the coal region of Pennsylvania, he had an idyllic childhood. He graduated from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with a BA in Mathematics in 1961, certified to teach math and science, and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Bob also took graduate courses at West Chester University. He had a variety of careers and interests, frequently reinventing himself to satisfy his drive for success, knowledge and to keep life interesting . . .an authentic Renaissance Man. Bob was a strong advocate for tolerance, equal rights and fair treatment for ALL people, no exceptions. Over his lifetime he cultivated a love and appreciation for music, ballet, opera, visual arts, travel, chess, skiing, motorcycling, sail and power boating, instrument-rated air piloting, fishing, racing, good food and wine. He adored his dog Cooper and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Everything he did, he did to the fullest. For example, it wasn’t enough to learn how to sail and operate a power boat, he earned a Master License from the US Coast Guard that certified him to operate up to a 100-ton vessel. He often joked, “Let’s go to Cuba!”

Bob and Lisa, their son Justin and 2 cats left Pennsylvania in 1992 on their 43-foot President yacht, “Altered States,” to cruise the Intracoastal Waterway from the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay and across Lake Okeechobee to Tampa Bay to establish a new life and general contracting business in Apollo Beach, R.H. Muir, Inc. They lived in a Ruskin live-aboard marina while building their business and new home on Menorca Lane, which would also serve as their first sample, “Linda Vista.” His community of Andalucia knows Bob as a builder, a pragmatic and open-minded resident who served as Board President and as a member of various committees. Others know him as a father, friend, teacher, composer, guru, physicist, entrepreneur, consultant, inventor, and body guard (yes, body guard!).

An intuitive and well-respected businessman, Bob was instrumental in developing major industrial properties throughout the United States during his tenure at First Industrial Realty Trust, including Amazon’s first modern distribution facility serving the Southeast and earning various awards for other development projects along the way. This is only one example of Bob’s many accomplishments. He was known as a tough but fair negotiator, always thinking “win/win.”

In his retirement, Bob enjoyed seeing the United States, Mexico and Europe on a motorcycle. He founded a local riding group, Southshore Riders, and led weekly rides through the backroads of Florida. He encouraged Lisa to ride her own bike, and the two of them had a unique perspective during their many miles of travel throughout the United States. Bob was a planner, and each day had a destination, be there rain, snow or sunshine. He also came to love cruising the oceans and rivers of the world, getting dressed up for dinner and a show every evening, along with experiencing different cultures and cuisines.

He spoke his mind, was quick-witted, solution-oriented, decisive, a leader who knew how to get things done cost-consciously, timely, and with integrity. A true raconteur, Bob was a remarkable character. There are endless ways to describe Bob and stories to tell, but for now, in this small space, let us say that the planet is a richer, more colorful place having had Bob Muir living on it and poorer for having him depart. He will be sorely missed by many, but not as much as by his wife Lisa. To her, he was her anchor, her very own James Bond, the love of her life, a romantic, intelligent, loyal, patient, generous man of dependability and grit, with a warm smile and great sense of humor, always living in the present but looking forward to plans for the future.

A gathering to honor Bob’s memory will be held later this year and will be announced when the details are determined.