For decades, Robert Neal Hackworth was a fixture in Dunedin, helping shape the community in ways residents continue to experience today.
Known by locals as “Bob,” the former mayor died Aug. 15 at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Gwynne; two children, Maddie and Bobby; grandchildren Joseph, Gunner and Lennox; and several additional close family members.
Hackworth served the city from 2002 to 2009 – as a city commissioner initially before taking the helm as mayor in 2006.
“When it comes to Bob, the legacy he leaves this city is his love of green space,” current mayor Maureen “Moe” Freaney said.
Hackworth was instrumental in the city acquiring the land along Bayshore Boulevard that would later become Weaver Park, a public space beloved by residents and visitors alike, she said. He also pushed for the upgrades to smaller green spaces along Buena Vista Drive and Santa Barbara Drive, and advocated for the city to purchase the Gladys E. Douglas Preserve property.
“We have amazing parks,” Freaney said. “It’s people like Bob who kept their eye on the ball to make sure we make greenspace a priority. Bob definitely leaves that strong legacy behind.”
Now, residents can’t imagine Dunedin without its parks, says former Dunedin mayor Julie Ward Bujalski, who remembers Hackworth as her mentor in public life.
“Bob had several really impactful achievements he championed on behalf of Dunedin,” she said. “His early service focused on ethical and transparent governance. He wanted everyone to be treated equally, as well as having honest and frequent dialogue with our residents.”
Inclusivity was also central to Hackworth’s vision and approach to leadership, Bujalski said.
“Bob fought to have our own MLK street renaming and multicultural events around Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday,” she said. “These were not easy things to achieve, but he stood up for what he believed in and made it happen.”
In a 2009 interview with the Beacon, Hackworth reflected on his political career, stating that it was an unexpected path. After graduating from Dunedin High School in 1973 and earning a recreation manager degree from the University of Florida, Hackworth and his wife moved to Boulder, Colorado. After competing as a professional athlete in track and field, he became a bicycle racer, even facing off against Lance Armstrong in his early 40s.
Hackworth eventually moved back to Dunedin, where he became a partner at H&H Publishing Co., Inc., alongside his father. But after some city zoning issues caught his attention, Hackworth ran for city commissioner, where he defeated a six-term incumbent. He would later run for mayor, advocating for cutting taxes, streamlining the budget and increasing the city’s viability.
In addition to championing Weaver Park, Hackworth’s other preservation efforts included expanding Hammock Park and purchasing St. Andrews Golf Course, while protecting the natural beauty of Caladesi and Honeymoon islands and the small-town feel of Dunedin.
“I could make a really strong case that if Dunedin had allowed Caladesi and Honeymoon to be developed like Sand Key, that we would be less economically strong,” Hackworth said in the 2009 newspaper interview. “Even though we’d have this huge, increased tax base, we would have less to offer the community, and really, the secret to the tax base with property base is they cost you as much as you collect. You have to provide the water, the roads, the fire (departments,) so all that money you’re getting on those nice condominiums, you’re just spending it to provide the services.”
Bujalski says that although Hackworth was practical, he never gave up when he wanted to accomplish something.
“He was my mentor and taught me how to grasp something I believed in and never give up until it’s done,” she said. “His lessons served Dunedin well, and his style and courage sets precedence for Dunedin’s government and leadership today. He will be greatly missed.”