Robert Westover Niehaus, Sr. of Fernandina Beach, Fl passed away on June 7, 2013 after an extended illness. The son of Stanley and Lois Niehaus, Robert was born on January 10, 1933 and grew up in Neptune Beach Fl. He enjoyed growing up at the Jacksonville beaches and attended Fletcher High School where he played football for the legendary coach Ish Brant. Following graduation from Fletcher in 1951, Robert enlisted in the Army, completed Jump school training and was stationed in Fort Bragg, NC where he served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. Following an honorable discharge from the military, Robert married his high school sweetheart, Patricia (Patti) Reynolds, also of Neptune Beach and a 1952 Fletcher graduate. Robert and Patti moved to Gainesville, FL where Robert attended the University of Florida and graduated in 1958. They then moved to Atlanta where Robert attended and graduated from Emory Law School in 1960. Robert was a member of the Florida Bar Association for over 50 years and was also a member of the Georgia Bar Association for over 30 years. Over those years, Robert practiced law for the Prudential Insurance Company and the Minnesota Title Insurance Company.
Robert is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patti, sons Robert Westover, Jr. (Wes) of Jacksonville FL, and Philip and his wife Katherine of Atlanta, GA. Grandchildren Margaret and Rich Niehaus also of Atlanta, GA.
A memorial service in celebration of Robert’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday June 24th at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach Fl.