Robert Wayne Binkley

Robert “Bob” Wayne Binkley, 81, was born in Springfield, TN, on January 11, 1940 and died surrounded by his two sons and wife of 58 years in Vero Beach, FL, on January 26, 2021. Bob was born to the late Herman Clay “H.C.” and Jesse Binkley and grew up on the farm with his three brothers, Glenn, Mark and Herman and his sister, Patricia, in Coopertown, TN. After graduating as the valedictorian of his high school and as the only member of his class to attend college, he left for Tennessee Technological University where he participated in the Army ROTC program and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Bob and Susan Bell met when they were 16 and 14 years old, respectively, growing up just six miles apart. The couple married in Springfield, TN, on August 24, 1962.

After graduation, Bob and Susan moved to Fort Sill, OK where Bob served as a 2^nd Lt. in the United States Army. He left Fort Sill as an Army Captain and moved to Columbia, TN. He joined the Tennessee National Guard and took a financial position with Union Carbide Corporation. After their son, Ken, was born they moved to Murfreesboro, TN, for the next decade where he took a similar position with Samsonite International. After their youngest son, Keith, was born, the family moved to Greenville, SC, where he served as a division controller for Standex International Corporation. After spending two decades in South Carolina, he and Susan made their home in Florida where they have lived for the past 18 years. Entrepreneurs to the core, Bob and Susan began their own real estate investing company in the late 1980s and invested in several mixed-use properties in South Carolina, where he was still active in the daily operations until 2020.

Throughout his life, Bob was a competitive and avid angler and was featured in both Bassmaster Magazine and Bass Times. He won numerous fishing tournaments and mentored many new fishermen throughout his life. While the two often go hand-in-hand, Bob’s love of fishing rivaled his love of storytelling. A storyteller to the core, he would spend countless hours at family dinners or during bridge games with friends, sharing his tall tales from his childhood.

He is survived by innumerable family and close friends including his beloved wife, Susan, as well as his children, Ken Binkley and his wife, Angie, of Simpsonville, SC and Keith Binkley of Denver and his brothers, Mark Binkley of Cocoa Beach, FL and Glenn Binkley of Cookeville, TN. He is predeceased by his brother, Herman and his sister, Patricia.

“Grandpa Bob” was deeply adored by his grandchildren, including Collin and Courtney Binkley of Colorado and Nathan Binkley and Taylor Nance of Greenville, SC, as well as his favorite furry and faithful companions, Baxter and Bentley.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Florida Chapter, 12810 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL 33612; or the charity of your choice.

“Trust me child, I have it all under control” Love, God.

Arrangements by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.