Meet Robert & Ann Stuart — College Park City Commissioner
Robert is “born and raised” in College Park, growing up just a few houses from Lake Ivanhoe on Gerda Terrace. Robert and Ann met at the University of Florida and got married after college, settling back in College Park (a few houses off of Lake Silver). We have two children who have also returned to College Park and live here with their families and we have five grandchildren. Having grown up in College Park, Robert is a proud graduate of Princeton Elementary, College Park Middle (formerly Robert E Lee Junior High) and Edgewater High. Ann grew up in Coral Gables and is a proud graduate of Coral Gables High School. We have been active at Church on the Drive (formerly College Park Baptist Church) for 40 years teaching youth, young adults and now “older” adults. Robert enjoys teaching, umpiring youth baseball (he has umpired in two Little League World Series), golf and spending time with his grandchildren. Robert was a founding member of the College Park Rotary and just retired from serving 25 years as Executive Director of the Christian Service Center for Central Florida. Robert is our Orlando City Commissioner for District 3 serving College Park and neighboring communities, first elected in 2006 and three times relected.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
We have two children (Maribeth Ball and Robert Stuart, Jr) and have five grandchildren.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I currently serve as the City Commissioner for District 3 (serving College Park, Rosemont, Park Lake, Audubon Park, Baldwin Park and adjoining neighborhoods). As with my former career as Executive Director of the Christian Service Center, and my community service through church and clubs, helping others is part of who I am and how I was raised.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Tap Room (of course), Tornatore’s, Adriatico’s, Christo’s and Shakers come to mind…there are others (if I left out a few).
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Since birth…67 years (and counting)
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
There are so many…Astronaut John Young, Pilot Joe Kittinger, Mayors Bill Frederick and Buddy Dyer
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
We are planning to travel to Alaska as soon as it’s safe. Also, we’d like to travel to Italy, England and maybe Australia
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Big Bang Theory
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Giving back to the community by serving others is your greatest reward.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Playing golf on the Old Course at St. Andrews
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
Broadway’s Hamilton and Garth Brooks
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I’m going way back…I remember the Royal Castle at Par & Edgewater…I loved their birchbeer. Albert Drug Store used to be on the corner of Princeton and Edgewater (now CVS)
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama in the Board Room at the Tap Room
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Schools make the community…I love the people and the schools
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I hope I’m working on my golf game with my grandchildren alongside
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’ve been umpiring Little League Baseball for 53 years…umpired in two Little League World Series.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The Cliffs of Moher, southeast coast of Ireland and the Grand Canyon
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Christmas Day
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The people of College Park
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Our parents…all since passed away but their memory inspires us
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Fresh coffee
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, security, love
