Robert Thomas Hinds, known to nearly everyone as Bob, was born on January 5, 1947, in Hamilton, Ohio, and passed away on April 1, 2026, in Bradenton, Florida, from heart failure.
He lived a life that was full, busy, and unmistakably his own, the kind of life that left people smiling, shaking their heads, and saying, “Well, that was Bob.” Friendly, loving, and kind, he had a way of making people feel welcome, even when he was delivering one of his classic lines with a perfectly straight face.
Bob served his country as a Marine, a role he carried with pride and discipline throughout his life. After his military service, he built a strong and varied career as an accountant, a realtor, and the owner of HMB Enterprise, where many knew him as “Handyman Bob.” That name fit him well, because Bob had a practical mind, a steady hand, and the kind of can-do spirit that made him the person you wanted around when something needed fixing, figuring out, or simply getting done right. He approached work with determination, humor, and a common-sense style that was both refreshing and effective.
He graduated from Miami University, where he added education to the foundation of character, service, and grit that would define the rest of his life. Bob was a Christian, and his faith was an important part of the way he lived, treating others with compassion, honesty, and respect. He believed in showing up, doing the right thing, and keeping a sense of humor close at hand, which was probably wise, because life has always had a way of testing people who take themselves too seriously.
Bob enjoyed the theater, and he appreciated a good performance, perhaps because he understood timing better than most people. He also enjoyed going to gun shows, hunting, fishing, and boating, pursuits that suited his love of the outdoors and his appreciation for a good story afterward. Whether he was on the water, in the woods, or talking about the day with family and friends, Bob had a knack for turning ordinary moments into memorable ones. He was the kind of man who could make a simple outing feel like an event and a routine conversation feel like a comedy set with better punchlines.
Those who knew Bob will remember his warmth, his wit, and his ability to make people laugh without ever trying too hard. He had the kind of personality that made room for everyone, and his humor often arrived just when it was needed most. As the beloved comedian Phyllis Diller once said, “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” Bob would have appreciated that line, because he understood the value of laughter and the way it could lighten even the heaviest day.
He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Hinds. He is survived by his children, Amy Waldron, Tonya Hinds, Christopher Hinds, Zig Hinds, and Julia Hinds-Ware, who will carry forward his memory, his stories, and likely a few of his better jokes. His family will remember him not only for the roles he played in life, but for the way he played them, with sincerity, toughness, and a sense of humor that never quite let anything get too gloomy for too long.
Bob’s life was one of service, hard work, faith, and laughter. He leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and unmistakable character. He will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and often quoted, because men like Bob do not simply leave a room, they leave an impression.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West, Bradenton, Florida, is in charge of arrangements.
