Officer Bob Marvin Casts Off to Retirement

Although the weather professionals had called for a possible cloudy and light rain forecast during the Thursday evening news last Wednesday, the “weather gods” would not hear of it. You see, this would be Bob Marvin’s 65^th birthday and a day he had circled on his calendar some time ago, a day he had been counting down to after working as a Marco Island Police Officer these past ten and a half years. It was Bob Marvin’s retirement day.

It had actually been a total of thirty-eight and a half years since Marvin began his career in law enforcement in Collier County,  first as a Collier County Deputy Sheriff for 28 years and then ten and a half as a Marco Island Police Officer.

A fun fact about Marvin - a friend bet $1.00 he couldn’t get hired by the Collier County Sheriff’s office. He still has the dollar even after his 38-year career in law enforcement. 

Marvin spent the vast majority of those years aboard one type of marine vessel or another, patrolling the waters around Naples, Marco Island, and the Ten Thousand Islands. When not keeping the waters safe, he would stay busy ensuring equipment on the vessels was kept in condition and training new officers on maintaining the equipment since salt water is not a great friend to electronics and other boating equipment, especially should it be needed to save a life.

Marvin was no stranger to the Gulf waters; he grew up in Key West until his dad started moving the family around. While in the Key West area, Marvin had one of the best mentors available - his dad. Marvin credits his father for his vast knowledge of the local waters and the respect he instilled in his son for the waters they called a second home.

The “Grumpy Grouper” is a lighthearted handle that some apply to Marvin, but it couldn’t be further from the truth, as can be attested to by those who know him best.

“I’m not sure anyone will fill Bob’s shoes, never mind his flippers,” said Josh Ferris, who credits Marvin as being a great mentor and friend. “For the most part, you are alone out there. Bob’s knowledge of the area will never be duplicated within the department,” said Ferris.

Bob and his wife Denise have three sons - Bob III, Ethan and David - and they all enjoy the great outdoors. Marvin’s dad and mentor, Bob Sr., is 86 years old. 

Until recently, Marvin kept a second home in the Keys, but he now frequents the waters around Naples and Marco Island, as well as waters all around Florida. “Hey, we live in paradise. I’m sure we can find something to do without much trouble,”  said Marvin.