Robert "Bob" Henry Rockwell

Robert “Bob” Henry Rockwell Sr., 74, of Shalimar, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on November 19, 2025, surrounded by his family.

Born on March 6, 1951, in Berea, Ohio, to Mary Alice and Henry Albert Rockwell, Bob was raised in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and graduated from Ypsilanti High School in 1969. He went on to attend Eastern Michigan University, and during a spring break trip to Tampa, Florida, he met the love of his life, Sherry Patrice Leonard. Soon after, the two returned to Sherry’s hometown of Fort Walton Beach and were married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on March 24, 1973. They made their home in Fort Walton Beach, where they spent nearly 50 wonderful years together raising their two sons and building a lifetime of cherished memories.

Throughout his life, Bob was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend, coach, co-worker, and mentor. He made a deep and lasting impact on his community both personally and professionally. During his more than 45-year career with the family business, Playground Music Center, Bob became a familiar, trusted, and welcome presence across the Northwest Florida band community. With warmth, patience, and a profound knowledge of music, he helped thousands of young musicians find the instrument that was just right for them. He served countless band programs, becoming a steadfast friend in the band room to educators, parents, and students alike. Bob and Sherry worked side by side, devoting their careers to serving others and helping shape the enduring legacy of Playground Music Center.

In his personal life, Bob always put the people he loved first. He was devoted to Sherry, never missed his boys’ activities, and later cherished every moment spent with his grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling with family, spending time outdoors, and sharing his homemade jam—crafted with pride each year. Bob loved coaching youth sports with his sons and took great joy in watching them compete. He also treasured time spent with friends, whether on the racquetball court, at the bowling alley, or on the softball field. Above all, Bob was a man of genuine warmth and unwavering kindness—someone who gave freely of his time, his heart, and his friendship.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Henry “Hank” and Mary Rockwell of Destin; his in-laws, Jim and Maura Leonard of Fort Walton Beach; his brother-in-law, Rodney Leonard of Pensacola; and his sister-in-law, Cathy Rockwell of Whetstone, Arizona. He is survived by his loving wife, Sherry of Shalimar; his brother, David Rockwell of Phoenix, Arizona; his sons, Hank Rockwell (Kathryn) of Shalimar and AJ Rockwell (Brittany) of Nolensville, Tennessee; and his adored grandchildren, Maura, Jack, and Madelyn Rockwell.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the many medical teams who supported them throughout this journey—Dr. Shah and Dr. Oskarsson at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville; the staff at Brooks Rehab in Jacksonville; the therapy teams at Centerwell; Dr. Herndon at Magnolia Medical Clinic; the dedicated in-home caregivers that became an extension of our family; and the compassionate team at Emerald Coast Hospice.

Family and friends are invited to join in celebrating Bob’s life on Thursday, December 11, at 5:30 p.m. at The Two Trees Restaurant at the Fort Walton Beach Golf Course.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bob’s memory to the ALS Association at als.org.

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