The Memory Is Bigger with a Photo Remembering Bob Epstein

Robert “Bob” Terry Epstein, a man whose life was a mosaic of adventure, passion, and dedication, passed away peacefully on January 14th, 2025, at the age of 80. His remarkable journey spanned continents and cultures, shaped by his unquenchable thirst for discovery and his deep commitment to the people and causes he loved. He has left his mark on the Keys and will long be remembered.

The Epstein family invites the Keys community to join them for a Celebration of Life Service on February 2nd from 11 am – 12:30 pm at the Keys Jewish Community Center in Tavernier. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Bob was an adventurer at heart. At only 17, he moved to Israel and lived in a communal settlement known as a kibbutz. He then went on a true-life adventure inEast and Central Africa, camping for 2 years in some extraordinary places in a changing political and geo-social landscape.

One of Bob’s eleven published books, Africa on a Pin and a Prayer, chronicles his wildlife adventures and experiences living with various tribes, including the Pygmies in Congo. The book contains images Bob captured, which laid the groundwork for his successful career as a photojournalist.

Over his 45-year career, Bob worked for several domestic and international publications, including Free Press and Condé Nast. He was also an avid fisherman, which he wove into his journalism career as Fishing Editor for the Florida Keys at the Miami Herald and columnist for 25 years for Outdoor Florida Magazine, along with weekly fishing articles for international markets. Our very own Keys Life Magazine has also featured his work.

Bob had a way of weaving together everything he loved in life, including the love of his life, Barbara. Bob was introduced to Barbara shortly after he returned to the States, and they became true partners, supporting each other through various business ventures and raising their two sons.

In 1977, Bob weaved in his love for fishing by moving his young family to Islamorada. He often worked with charters and fished with the likes of President George H. W. Bush (on several occasions) and baseball star Ted Williams, among many other notable people. Bob was so humble and discreet that even his family didn’t know the extent of these famous connections until years later.

After Hurricane Andrew struck South Florida in 1992, Bob was named the official photographer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), where he documented unthinkable loss and destruction. Bob once said, “Reality is often far more unbelievable than fiction, so you best take pictures to go along with words.”

Bob believed in giving back to the Florida Keys community and preserving the environment. He was a founding member of the Keys Jewish Community Center and served as a volunteer firefighter in Tavernier for 10 years. Bob also pioneered solar energy in the Keys, fully powering No Name Key on solar energy in the 80s.

For more than two decades, Bob was a special projects liaison for Olympus Camera and Digital Products. He and Barbara, as his writing partner, oversaw 150 special projects, including the “take a photo, release the fish, the memory is bigger” camera loaner program for the Redbone charity fishing tournaments, a charity that has raised millions for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Bob also convinced Olympus to donate 100,000 ocean clean-up bags, which he and Barbara personally distributed to charter boats and locations across the Keys. These bags encouraged everyone to clean up not only after themselves but any trash they came across. It and The Memory is Bigger campaign were huge successes.

His desire to make a difference extended beyond the Keys. He was also recognized by the National Partnership for Child Safety for his involvement in the Missing Children Milk Carton program.

Bob’s love for the Keys inspired him to write and co-author several locally focused books, including A History of Fishing in the Florida Keys and 43 Bridges to the Florida Keys. These books celebrate the Keys’ history, the diversity of its sea life, and its unique, vibrant community. His co-author was, of course, his partner in life, Barbara. In addition to their books, the adventurous duo had a travel blog, American Press Travel News, which still features countless articles about their travels near and far.

A storyteller at his very core, if Bob wasn’t writing, he was telling stories. He could regale company for hours on nearly any topic that interested them, bringing joy and excitement toevery tale. Barbara often sat quietly by his side, content to listen along with the others and relive many of their memories he shared.

This knack for storytelling is perhaps what made him such a dedicated fisherman. He wasn’t just fishing for fish, but for another great story to share with others, like when he landed a 13-pound bonefish off Cheeca Lodge. Him holding this fish above his head was a favorite photo to go along with his story. As he always said, the memory is bigger with a photo.

The memory of Bob Epstein is certainly bigger with the countless photos that document his life and adventures. His legacy will live on through these images, each one capturing a moment of his curiosity, his passion for the world, and his commitment to preserving both its beauty and its stories. Bob’s impact on the Keys, his family, and the many lives he touched is immeasurable.

He was not just an adventurer—he was a storyteller, a philanthropist, and a beloved husband, father, and friend. Bob Epstein is survived by his wife, Barbara, of Port St. Lucie, his mother Mary Epstein, 103, of Boynton Beach, brother Michael Epstein of Las Vegas, NV, and brother-in-law Ron Cooper of Amherst, MA. Bob also leaves behind two sons: David Epstein of Islamorada and Brian Epstein of Fort Lauderdale, three grandchildren: Bradley with wife Kate, Joshua and Elihana, two great grandchildren: Maya and Jayce, and his beloved dog: Teddy Roosevelt.

A Celebration of Life service for Bob Epstein will be held on February 2nd from 11 am to 12:30 pm at the Keys Jewish Community Center in Tavernier. A luncheon will follow with someof Bob’s favorite foods. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Keys Jewish Community Center or the Coral Restoration Foundation in his name.