Robert “Bobby” Charles Richter IV

SEBASTIAN, Fla. – Robert “Bobby” Charles Richter IV was born May 30, 1992, and passed away in an accidental drowning on Sunday July 27, 2025.

He left the world the way he lived his life…on the water.

Growing up on Great Pond in Belgrade, Maine, Bobby started fishing at age 3 with his Snoopy fishing pole. He soon moved on to canoes and small boats ~ then to his prized Polar center console boat.

He graduated high school in three years because sitting in a classroom was not for him. He immediately went to work repairing cars and boats at Belgrade repair shops. He also did logging with close friends. In addition did lawn care with a close friend and helped his Mom and Dad at the family’s Belgrade Lakes Four Season Cottages.

But his passion was always the outdoors whether he was open water fishing, ice fishing or hunting in Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island or Massachusetts. He started selling worms and tackle to the guests at the cottages when he was six.

Bobby shot a Maine moose when he was 11 and many deer, partridges and turkeys followed. He was one of the youngest people in the state to become a Registered Maine Guide at the young age of 18. Because he knew instinctively where the fish were, he soon became sought after by vacationers around the lake in search of Bass and Northern Pike. He could find them!

In the fall, he and his father, went on an annual deer hunt at the cabin in the Berkshires with the hunting crew. In the summer, he honed his salt water fishing and clamming skills with his Rhode Island friends, who became his extended family. “Fishcation” was a much-anticipated event with buddies in Matunuck and Snug Harbor.

Bobby moved to the south east coast of Florida in 2019 where he earned his Captain’s license and his career was born.

He fished the Indian River, Sebastian Inlet as well as offshore and the Bahamas. He started “Polar Express Charters,” taking anglers out for a great catch. He also fished and maintained the “Chasseur” with one of his closest friend and mentors from Vero. Bobby loved fishing in the Bahamas and in the early spring he would captain the 45-foot “Riser” to the Bahamas and enjoyed time spent there with its owner, a dear friend.

He never stopped doing boat work, marine electronics, boat sales or selling tackle for StrikeZone Fishing where the crew and owner were like family. He had many close friends in the area who were also family to him.

Bobby was a very likable, smart, hardworking young man whose accomplishments and friendships left an indelible mark. Always smiling, always barefoot and brightening every space he entered.

He often said he wasn’t going to get married and have kids. He just wanted to fish, make a good living and spend time with his friends and family. He accomplished all of that and more.

He leaves behind his best friend, his father Robert “Bob” Charles Richter III (who he called every day) and his partner Betsy Ceriello; his mother, Laura Engel Richter; his sister Avery M. French and her husband Joseph D. French; his nephew Horace G. French and their fluffy dog Pearl; his grandmother, Annie M. Richter and his grandfather Peter Engel. In addition, he leaves many cousins, aunts, uncles, neighbors and friends up and down the eastern seaboard.

He was predeceased by his grandfather Robert C. Richter II, his “Mema,” Patricia Engel, his uncle, Thomas Engel and Lily.

A service in Connecticut will be on August 23, 2:00 p.m. at the Westchester Congregational Church, 98 Cemetery Rd, Colchester, CT 06415, followed by a reception in his PaPa’s yard on Markham Road in East Hampton, Conn.

Please come as Bobby would off the boat: sunglasses, t-shirt and flip flops, no ties necessary.

To commemorate Bobby, donations may be made to Junior Marine Guides https://juniormaineguides.org/donations/

A Reef will be donated in his name through the Indian River County Artificial Reef Program, details TBD for donations. https://indianriver.gov/services/public_works/coastal_engineering/artificial_reef_program.php

Online condolences may be shared at http://www.seawindfh.com.