Robert Sidney Overby

Robert S. Overby of Jacksonville, Florida passed away peacefully on Sunday October 31, 2021. Robert was born February 21, 1948 and was the only child of Toby Overby and Ann Arline Overby. Robert attended grammar school and high school in Jacksonville, and graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia in 1969. Robert’s father had been an early aviation pioneer after serving in World War 1 and gave flight instructions in Jacksonville.

Robert inherited his father’s need for speed and gravitated toward race cars and motor sports after college. He was active in the Sports Car Club of America E class racing circuit from 1974 to 1980 and raced at Watkins Glen, 24 hours of Daytona and 12 hours of Sebring, among others. He won the National Championship E Class division in both 1978 and 1979 driving a Porsche 356 at Road Atlanta.

In 1983 Robert was selected by the Buick division of GM to assist in the development of their V6 racing program. From 1981 through 1984 he competed in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) semi-pro racing Kelly Series winning three first-place finishes and winning second place in the 1983 IMSA Championship Race. Robert was a member of The Road Racing Drivers Club, an organization comprised of the most successful racing drivers from America and Europe, elected by their peers.

Robert’s passion for automobiles and auto racing led him to create Overby’s Fine Motorcars, which was located on Phillips Highway and served the Jacksonville community with luxury car sales and service for 44 years. Many of Robert’s customers became fast friends and relied on his knowledge and experience of fine autos.

In addition to auto racing, Robert loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and hiking. For a time he owned property in Idaho and enjoyed many wonderful camping treks in the Tetons and Wind River Range. In recent years Robert and Katherine enjoyed several European riverboat trips. Robert was a passionate patriot with a firm and abiding belief in the United States of America. He was gregarious and engaging and always had a story or anecdote to share.

In addition to his loving wife Katherine Overby, Robert is survived by his son Whitten Robert Overby.

A memorial service for Robert was held on November 19, 2021 at 2 pm, at Oaklawn Cemetery Lodge, 4801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, Florida. In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations in Robert’s memory be made to Tunnels to Towers, Wounded Warriors or Heartland Hospice.