Bob Hughes

...was born in Miami Florida in the early 50’s. Bob’s father worked in an architectural woodworking business and Bob learned his woodworking skills from his dad. Bob graduated from Miami Central High School in 1970 and a few months later went to work for Florida Power & Light. He attained the position of both a Lineman and Cable Splicer. Bob married his high school sweetheart Diane and they raised three sons, Dan, Tim, and Jeff.

In 1980 the Hughes family moved to Geneva in Seminole County Florida. After a 27-year career he retired in 1998 at an early age from FPL. In 1997, Bob started his own lumber rescue and saw mill business while working for Florida Power & Light.  Having purchased a portable saw, he had spent many hours learning how to cut lumber and dry it for use.   Over the years, his business, the Ole General Store, evolved into what is a “wood rescue” business.

It was with these thoughts of “rescuing wood”, and the love of wood, that Bob approached Jim Duby to help the county preserve what was left of The Senator. Jim asked for photos and ideas to help plead the case for rescue of the bald cypress.  Mid Janurary 2012 Jim passed the idea of the rescue of The Senator to his director’s.  In the next few days Bob flooded Jim with photos of his customers and friends artwork. County officials were impressed with the art and excitement for the rescue of The Senator was born.