The transformation of the orchard, once laden with grapes and blueberries, behind Mrs. Margaret Davis Fennell Judy’s home—into her son’s residence—brought an eccentricity to the street. One could  compare Bob Fennell’s life to the definition of a theatrical comedy: one tied up in rebirth and renewal. While encompassing an extraordinary storyline, Bob’s life has not always been full of color. Like a bulb returns in the Spring as a flower, he is back and is full of life!
Robert L. Fennell, Jr. (Bob) was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1949. He was raised in Richmond Hill where he graduated Salutatorian from Richmond Hill High School in 1967. By 1971, Bob had completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Stetson University, later acquiring a Masters from Georgia Southern. In 2005, Bob retired after 33 years as an English teacher, chorus teacher, musical director, theatre director, speech and drama coach, and a Media Specialist. His career included teaching in schools such as Richmond Hill Primary, Savannah High, Jenkins High, and Midland High in Texas. In addition to his 22 years as a pianist and organist for his church, Bob acted in or directed many shows and musicals. He has seen 400-500 shows on Broadway over the last 33 years—some, more than once!

In his younger years, Bob wasn’t so fond of Richmond Hill—he didn’t feel as if it was the place for him. He wanted out, so he lived in places like howntown Savannah, Tybee Island, and Midland, Texas. It wasn’t until the mid ‘90s that he decided to let go of his past and realized that Richmond Hill was home and that he wanted to come back. On July 4th, 1998, Bob moved in to his newly constructed, “perfect for me” one-bedroom home in downtown Richmond Hill. The back patio is where we found Bob as we pulled into the driveway. He was enjoying the delightful October weather while he awaited our arrival. As any nice Southern gentlemen should, he immediately offered us something to sip on. He showed us into his multi-purpose living area, where we had the option of sitting on four different sofas—one pink, one plaid, one striped, and the other brown leather. The liveliness of this room immediately set the tone for the rest of the home. After only a few steps inside, our eyes were instantly drawn to a wall completely filled with Broadway posters! “For every poster hanging, there are three under the bed, and I’ve seen them all,” says Bob.

Behind the sitting area are shelves lined with DVDs and VHS tapes of Broadway shows. If a recording exists, he has it as part of his collection. Next to the big screen television, across from us, are all of the programs and song books in a built-in cabinet. Just to the right, is the music area—where a Fender Rhodes Seventy-Three sits, the same kind of piano on which The Beatles performed. With one octave less thana standard, 81-key piano, this instrument is one of Bob’s most “precious” possessions. Alongside it, is a Roland RD500—the kind of key board that does it all! This set up also includes Bob’s computer; he admits that he is currently trying to become familiar with Facebook. Above, on the giant window sill are his tap shoes, roller skates, and a pair of ice skates—which of course, we had to ask about. “My junior year at Stetson, I was studying in Paris at the Université Paris-Sorbonne. On a trip to Neuchatel, Switzerland I tried ice skating for the first time. On the ice with me was the 1984 Olympian Dorothy Hamill! I got to skate with her, in those very skates,” remembers Bob.

The home flows in a circular manner. As we walk into the kitchen, our mood is awakened! The walls are a lilac purple, Bob’s blonde cocker spaniel, Lila is named for this color. The décor is so eccentric! Our moods quickly change from a reminiscing mode to tell us more. “I designed it around the furniture that I already had. Just like designing the set of a musical or play, I knew where each piece would go. I had a vision. Everything is around my pieces of Georgia O’Keeffe artwork,” says Bob. “Most people wouldn’t pair polka dots with stripes, and yellow with red and purple and then throw in floral. I’m not afraid of taking chances. You won’t find any eggshell-colored walls here!”

The careful attention that was paid to every detail is apparent in objects like the direction of the light switches. They are hung so they do not compete with the vertical art on the wall and the very intentional placement of three chandeliers—one he purchased and the other two given to him by his mother. “The one hanging over the dining room table looked like the two I grew up with,” says Bob.
The red chair was his paternal grandmother’s chair and the purple was his maternal grandmother’s. The floral sofa ties in with the O’Keeffe paintings. The table between boasts a giantcrystal bowl with decadent Christmas ornaments overflowing. Why Christmas ornaments? The ornaments were once a part of Bob’s Neiman Marcus tree, which was featured in Southern Living magazine nine or ten years ago. And as Bob puts it, he “likes colorful things! I leave them up all year long.” The purple chairs in front of the red table, where the Neiman Marcus tree once stood, were Henry Ford’s; Bob had them refinished with car paint to shine and to endure time.

Everything on the shelves throughout the formal living room is a piece of treasured art. From hand-blown glass pieces from the Italian island of Murano to beautiful pieces from Romania, each piece has a meaning. When asked how he feels about this room- he simply says, “I just think it’s clever.” He continued, “Most were a gift. People see things that remind them of me and now I have quite the collection. I just love ducks…and swans, I think I only bought one of these swans, the others were given to me,” he says.

The home has a great sense of lightness, each room with a specific purpose—all very much for entertainment. In his bedroom is the piano he was given at the age of seven. Bob is an entertainer! He was born with the gift of being musically talented—playing the piano, singing, and dancing. In February 2004, his ability was almost lost when he suffered an immense brain aneurism. He was in the hospital for six months, where doctors, friends, and family did not expect him to live. For three years, he did not sing a single song and hardly had any memory at all. He praises the Lord for the mercy bestowed upon him as he was given a second chance at life. Bob lives with an enthusiastic purpose to serve. His home is an illustration of the eccentric, music loving, friendly, Godfearing man that he is! Any proper play or film, musical or not, revolves around a good story. However, an outstanding show needs to not only have a remarkable and unpredictable storyline, but also have many aspects that are truly inspiring. From our seat—Bob’s personal story is an outstanding show in the making.