WORLD PROPERTY CHANNEL ®

(ORLANDO, FL) - Robert M. "Bob" Harrell's memorial service today at First United Methodist Church in Orlando brought out some of the biggest names in Central Florida's commercial real estate industry.

Bob Harrell

They were present to honor one of their own, a low-key, soft-spoken professional who was fondly remembered both for his real estate expertise and his unending devotion to civic affairs in Orlando, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Chicago.


Born in Mullins, SC and graduated from Stuart, FL High School, Harrell spent much of his early business career in retail sales, management and merchandising with Montgomery Ward in Chicago, Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Jeff Patterson

"I remember Bob as Mr. Charity and Mr. Hospital and not as Mr. Real Estate," Jeffrey D. Patterson, vice president/broker, Lincoln Property Co., Orlando, tells the Real Estate Channel. "He was truly a wonderful man who gave everything" to the community.



Harrell died Oct. 17 at age 84. He was a broker at Cushman & Wakefield of Florida Inc. from 1984 to 1989.  In 1990, he joined Andrew E. McCaw & Associates Inc. where he worked until 1998 with  Andrew McCaw Sr. and his son, Andrew McCaw Jr. McCaw Sr. died in August 1999. McCaw Jr. is a professional with Grubb & Ellis Commercial|Florida in Orlando.

Andrew McCaw

"What a Southern gentleman, he was," recalls McCaw. "He would come by and visit Dad and me in our quiet little Winter Park office and would shoot the bull.

"His favorite lunch place was that Red Fox Lounge/Restaurant (Part of Best Western-Mt. Vernon Inn at Morse Boulevard and Highway 17-92). We would eat the real turkey sandwiches, none of that pressed stuff."


McCaw remembers Harrell "always had a one-liner to share with you, depending on the situation. I recall one of his favorites being, 'It's hotter than two donkeys making love in a corn field."

McCaw adds, "He will be missed" by the real estate community as well as the many civic groups he helped with his time, money and knowledge.

John Bozard

John Bozard, president of the Orlando Health Foundation says Harrell and his wife, Beachy, "gave tremendously of their time, energy and financial resources. Bob's dedicated leadership in many key roles over the years has helped guide the growth and development of Orlando Health's medical excellence."

Bozard adds, "His legacy will live on in caring four our community today and for generations to come."

Harrell relocated from Chicago to Orlando in the early 1970s and stayed with Montgomery Ward until he retired in 1982.

Quickly getting involved in Orlando's civic community, Harrell chaired the committee that formed the Economic Development Commission of Mid-Florida and participated in at least 25 other organizations, including the Orlando Health Foundation, the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Women, the Arnold Palmer Medical Center and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando.

In 1995, Harrell received the highest honor bestowed by the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission. The James B. Greene Economic Development Award recognizes an individual who has contributed significantly to Central Florida's economic growth.

That same year, Harrell was honored with the "Trustee of the Year" award by Modern Healthcare magazine. In 1997, he received the first Spirit of Philanthropy Award from the Orlando Health Foundation.

In his letter nominating  for the "Trustee of the Year" award, Charles F. Pierce, Jr., then president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, characterized Harrell's accomplishments over 34 years, citing a quote by James F. Lincoln:

"A good leader inspires other men with confidence in him; a great leader inspires them with confidence in themselves."

Pierce added, "... his example profiles the opportunity one man has taken to enhance the health and well-being of his community and offers a vision for others to follow."