Dr. Robert L. "Bob" Powell

.  Dr. Robert L.“Bob” Powell, 83, of Naples, Florida died on Friday, January, 2019, surrounded by his loving family and friends at AVOW hospice in Naples, Florida. Bob is survived by his wife Sharon of 61 years, 5 children and 15 grandchildren. Bob’s children and spouses include Beth (Paul) Giannetti, Sue (Mike) Mantel, both of Cincinnati, Ohio, Bob (Kari) Powell of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jim (Wendy) Powell of Naples, Florida and Ann Marie (Eric) Harold of Arlington, Virginia

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late John and Marjory Powell, Bob was brother to the late Dr. John Powell of Georgetown, Ohio. He grew up in Cincinnati, attended Elder High School and went on to earn an undergraduate degree in pharmacy from the University of Cincinnati.  While attending college, Bob met Sharon on a blind date. They were married in July, 1957.  After serving two years in the Army in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and already with a growing family, Bob returned to school, earning his PhD in pharmacology at the University of Pittsburgh. Together they lived in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Bristol (VA), and Naples.

Bob had a long and successful career in the drug industry. He served as the Senior Vice President of Research and Development for twelve years at Smith Kline Beecham in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and held similar titles with Beecham Laboratories in Bristol, Tennessee and Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals in Cincinnati, Ohio. He also spent two years as Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Cincinnati.  His professional accomplishments include leading the FDA approval for many commonly prescribed and over-the-counter drugs including Seldane, Tagamet, and Nicorette.  

Bob’s true passions were golf and tennis. After his retirement, he and Sharon were active members of The Virginian Country Club in Bristol, Virginia and Kensington Country Club in Naples, Florida where Bob served on the Board of Directors. Bob’s golfing accomplishments include several club invitational victories and eight holes-in-one.  He was an avid sports fan of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats, Cincinnati Bengals and Green Bay Packers. 

Bob was an accomplished musician. He enjoyed playing trumpet, piano and singing in a choral group at Arbor Trace, the Naples community where he and Sharon have resided since the spring of 2018. 

A memorial service will be held at Fuller Funeral Home, 1625 Pine Ridge Road in Naples, Florida at 12:00 pm on Saturday, January 12 with a Celebration-of-Life reception to follow at Kensington Country Club, 2700 Pine Ridge Road, Naples, Florida.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to AVOW Hospice, 1095b Whippoorwill Ln, Naples, Florida 34105.