Robert DePugh

Robert (Bob) V. DePugh, CPM, RIM, SCV, RPM, CEI

On October 13, 2023, Robert V. "Bob" DePugh, 84, went to be with his heavenly Father.  He was consecrated as a Lutheran Parish Deacon on October 25, 2015, serving as Parish Deacon at Christ Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg, Florida until his death.

Mr. DePugh has been directly involved in the real estate development and property management fields for over fifty years.  He began his career in 1968, with the development and management of housing for persons with special needs, and for financially challenged families.  Over the years, DePugh's broad range of experience in multifamily and multifamily related housing has included creating a welfare-to-work training program in rural Kentucky, developing single room occupancy (SRO) facilities for homeless persons and working poor, developing and managing subsidized rental housing for seniors, as well as low/moderate income persons and families, developing and managing independent living facilities for seniors with inadequate financial means, developing group homes for HIV infected persons, and developing and managing assisted living facilities (ALF'S).  Additionally, under his direction, in excess of 100 new homes were constructed for first-time home buyers in Pinellas County, Florida

As the CEO of the SMC Group of Companies, DePugh headed the operation of five corporations involved in the real estate development, property management and real estate related services areas.  In total, these five companies employed over 170 individuals, with offices in four states.  Collectively, this group of companies was responsible for providing a complete range of real estate services, from development to assistance with financing and construction and/or rehabilitation, as well as property maintenance and management.   Under DePugh's management and direction, Southeastern Management Center, Inc. received the designation of "Management Agent of the Year" from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Kentucky State Office.  In May of 1999 he was inducted into the Department of HUD'S Hall of Fame by the Chief of the Kentucky state office.  Over the course of his career in real estate, he has been involved in the development and/or management of over 4000 housing units.

Mr. DePugh was a professional trainer affiliated with The National Center for Housing Management, which trained over 1000 members of the HUD staff as Certified Housing Managers (CHM).  Bob has served as a Senior Trainer at the NCHM since its inception in 1972.  He has personally trained several thousand housing management professionals.

Christ Lutheran Church, where Bob has been a charter member since 1955, is one of the sponsoring organizations which owns Lutheran Apartments of St. Petersburg, and Lutheran Residences of South Pasadena, Florida.  He served as the incorporating officer and director of both facilities and as a consultant to subsequent Boards of Directors.

Deacon Bob loved God and his church.  He loved his country and was active in community life wherever he lived.  Bob will be remembered for his compassion, his service to others and his commitment as a disciple of Christ.  He will be missed by those he met and loved along life's journey.

Bob is survived by his wife, Yvonne DePugh; children Michelle Berger, Darryl DePugh and Melissa Eauclaire; grandchildren Taylor Russell and Ryan Cain; brother William J. DePugh.

A funeral service will take place at 10:00 A.M. on October 21st at Christ Lutheran Church, 3451 30th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to his beloved Christ Lutheran Church, 3451 30th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713.

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