Richard A. Bunnell

Born on July 12, 1943, Dick was the son of George Alvah Bunnell and Lillian Hurley Bunnell and a third generation Floridian whose family were marine construction pioneers in Miami. He joined the Navy in 1961, serving in a construction battalion, commonly known as “Seabees”, in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Following his service, he attended Miami Dade Junior College and the University of Miami School of Engineering.

Dick led Bunnell Foundation, Inc. for over 40 years, continuing a family legacy that dates back over a century. Dick’s grandfather, George Eli Bunnell, founded the business in Miami in 1911 and worked on projects with Henry Flagler, Carl Fisher and the Brickells, including the Key West extension. Dick’s father expanded the business and helped to build many city landmarks including The Fontainebleau Hotel, Eden Roc and the Orange Bowl. Under Dick’s leadership, Bunnell Foundation was a contractor for the Miami Beach Marina, Dinner Key Harbor, Elliott Key Marina, and several other notable projects in South Florida. Dick mentored his stepson, Christopher Rodriguez, former member of the Coast Guard, to carry on the family tradition by being the fourth generation serving as president of now Bunnell Marine.

Dick was a generous and civic-minded member of the community who devoted time supporting several charitable and professional groups in Miami. He was Chairman of the City of Miami Waterfront Advisory Board and Miami River Commission, served as a board member on the Marine Counsel, and was named Maritime Person of the Year in 2002 by the Propeller Club of the Port of Miami. He helped develop the Manatee Halfway House at the Miami Seaquarium and was a longtime supporter of Shake-A-Leg, a charity serving children and adults with disabilities.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Dick Bunnell’s name to Shake-A-Leg

https://www.shakealegmiami.org/get-involved/donate/donate-now/

A visitation for Richard will be held Thursday, January 19, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 2:15 PM at Caballero Rivero Little Havana, 3344 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135. Following the Visitation will be a Graveside service with Military Honors at 2:30 PM at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn North, 3260 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.riverofuneralhomemiami.com for the Bunnell family.