FRANKLIN - Robert (Bob) Lowrance Taro, 89, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020.
Born in Nutley, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Thomas Delano and Blanche Lowrance Taro.
Bob loved hunting, fishing, woodcarving and landscaping his home. He graduated from the University of Miami, and he was an accomplished athlete who played football and baseball. Bob played professional baseball for the Brooklyn Dodgers for two years before going into the service. He proudly served his country in the Army during the Korean War in the 101st Airborne Division. After being discharged from the military, he was appointed the regional detention director for the Florida Division of Youth Services in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Gov. Reubin Askew appointed him to serve on the Miami-Dade Criminal Justice Council, and he was also a member of the Miami-Dade County Police Chiefs Association and of the American Judiciary Council.
Bob and his wife, Nancy, retired to Franklin after Hurricane Andrew hit Florida.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Nancy Taro; four children, Linda Taro of Lakeland, Florida, Gaile Taro and husband Gary Smith of Miami, Florida, Tracy Taro of Franklin and Robert Taro Jr. of Atlanta; five grandchildren, Ashley, Brian, Taylor, Jeremy and Alexis; and one great-grandchild, Bailey.
No services will be held at this time.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice House Foundation of WNC.
Macon Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com.