"As the family knows, Bob and Fran were great friends of ours. I first met them when I worked at Holiday Park Tennis Center in late 1962. Bob was an especially kind person, always polite and considerate. We always enjoyed his company, as did my parents in Virginia when Bob and Fran moved to Charlottesville for a brief period of time. Bob was an avid tennis player with impeccable ground strokes and an exceptional horseman. At one time he served as a steward at, I believe Gulfstream Racetrack . He worked tirelessly on Claude Kirk?s successful campaign, among others, and thoroughly enjoyed life. One of Bob?s Doddridge ancestors wrote several hymns that appear in the Hymnal of the Episcopal Church. His mother?s family created one of the largest bakery companies in the country. Bob?s grandfather owned one of the larger estates in Palm Beach and his great uncle resided across the street from the Everglades Club on Worth Avenue. Because Bob was averse to bragging or being showy, very few knew Bob?s impressive background. Bob was a gentleman and, sadly part of a dying breed in this country. We miss Bob and Fran terribly. Our thoughts and prayers, along with our deepest sympathy, are with Suzie, Barbara, and Kathy and their extended families. Dawn and Charlie Frankel III, Palm Beach"
In loving memory of
Robert Hoskins Doddridge, Jr.
November 7, 1933 - January 7, 2019
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Robert "Bob" H. Doddridge, Jr., on Monday, January 7, 2019. He was 85 years old. Bob was born in Philadelphia, PA., on November 7, 1933, but was raised and spent all of his life in Ft. Lauderdale where he married the love of his life, Frances, and raised three daughters. He graduated from Pine Crest High School, a member of the tennis team there, and briefly attended University of Miami. Bob was a member of First Presbyterian Church and The Restless Weasels, a service organization.
Bob had a rich and diverse life and his career and personal choices reflected that. As a teen, Bob was an accomplished horseman and tennis player. After marrying at age 20, Bob started working as a realtor with the McTigue Brokerage Firm on Las Olas Blvd. After some years, he established The Bookmark also on Las Olas, a mainstay for hardbound book lovers for about a decade. It was during this time, that Bob also pursued his passion of working "behind the scenes" on political campaigns and was instrumental in several local, state and federal election successes.
Not one to let any grass grow under his feet, Bob returned to commercial real estate construction, working for his long-time friend, Charlie Deuschle. And last but certainly not least, perhaps his most favorite job was coaching kids and tennis, first at Holiday Park and subsequently returning to Pine Crest as the coach there for a decade. During his tenure at Pine Crest, the tennis team achieved 14 conference championships, 1 District Championship, the girls' State Championship in 1981. Also, in 1981, Bob won the "Coach of the Year" award.
Bob is survived by his three adoring daughters, Kathy, Susie and Bobbie; two sons-in-law, Andy Cook and John Bosco; two grandchildren, Loren Freitas and her husband Brad Freitas and Robert Cook and partner Zairy; and five great grandchildren, Christopher, Christina, Logan and Mason Freitas and Avery Cook. He is preceded in death by his wife of nearly 64 years, Frances S. Doddridge and his older brother, Rodney Doddridge.
A special thank you goes out to Alton and Jackie of Comfort Keepers and the staff of Trustbridge Hospice who provided loving care in his final years and days.
A visitation will be held at Fred Hunter's Funeral Home (Rio Vista) on Monday, January 14, 2019 from 5:00-7:00 PM. The funeral will be held on January 15, 2019 at 11:30 AM, at First Presbyterian Church.
Tributes
"Bob and Fran were two of my dearest friends for over 65 years. I will miss them both very much."
"Our deepest condolences to the family. Thoughts and prayers are with you all. Peter Erb & Susan Altman"