Dr. Robert I Greenberg

Dr. Robert (Bob) Irving Greenberg, 95, passed away on August 12, 2019, in Tallahassee. “The Greatest Generation” has lost one of its finest. He was a wonderful and loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who will be sorely missed by his five children, four children-in-law, nine grandchildren, three great grandchildren and innumerable friends.

Dr. Greenberg was proud to serve his country in WWII and continued to serve his community for the rest of his life. As a young man, he was active in the JayCees (one year he was recognized as their outstanding young man of the year) and was a life-time member and the first Jewish Grand Exalted Ruler of the Tallahassee Elks Lodge. He started the first Toastmaster’s Club in Tallahassee and served as its first president. He served as a District Commissioner of the Boy Scouts, was active in the Chamber of Commerce, the Lion’s Club, the Rotary Club (Capital), Capital Tiger Bay, Capital City Country Club, and was a past president of Temple Israel. In addition, he was one of the original members of Friends of the Library and was instrumental in forming the Urban League chapter in Tallahassee.

Professionally, Dr. Greenberg was president of the Northwest Chapter of the Florida Optometric Society at least twice and then served as president of the Florida Optometric Association. He was also active in the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry. He was the only optometrist appointed to the Medical Advisory Board for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and for many years he performed eye examinations for recruits at the Highway Patrol Academy. Dr. Greenberg was proud to be the first optometrist in Tallahassee to integrate his waiting room, even if it meant losing white patients. He practiced optometry into his 90’s and finally retired after 65 years of practice.

A few years ago, Bob proudly joined other WWII vets on one of the first Honor Flight trips to the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. In retirement, he served as an ombudsman for nursing home patients, was a mentor to veterans, and became a small claims mediator in the Leon County courts.

Bob Greenberg was humorous, intelligent, thoughtful and kind. As a legacy for his family, he wrote “Grandpa Remembers”. The following is an excerpt from it:

“Here’s how I hope to be remembered by the people I love and others who may not have loved me but respected me for what I was:

This was an ordinary man who did not cut a wide swath through the world in which he lived but did make some impact on his family and his community. He gave of himself and tried to treat all he came in contact with fairly and honestly. Above all, he had a sense of humor and could laugh at himself along with others. He cherished his wife, his parents, and above all, his children and grandchildren.

He will not be remembered as a mover and shaker, but he was a decent human being. What more can anyone aspire to?”

Robert. Greenberg was born on July 13, 1924, in Tallahassee to Florence Reichert Greenberg and Abe Greenberg. He was predeceased by his parents, his beloved little sister Miriam (Mimi) Greenberg Rosenblatt, his wife of nearly 60 years, Harriet B. Greenberg, and his son-in-law, Chris Robison.

Dr. Greenberg is survived by his children Margo Tavss (Jim), Amy Robison, Susan Stabile (Bill), Richard A. Greenberg (Leigh Ann), and Sharon Goren (Dave); grandchildren Lisa Tavss Howard (Dave), Stephanie Tavss Cohn (Jeremy), Michelle Tavss, Brian Stabile, Kevin Stabile, Jeffrey Greenberg, Julie Greenberg, Sammy Goren and Ben Goren; and great grandchildren Brandon Howard, Jonah Cohn and Arden Cohn.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 23 at 11 a.m. at Temple Israel on Mahan Drive. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Elks Lodge #937, 276 N. Magnolia Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32301 earmarked to the Elks Youth Camp in honor of Dr. Greenberg.