Robert B. Douthitt, a retired executive with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, died peacefully in Atlanta, GA on December 19, 2024. He was 88. Bob was born in Florence, AL, on July 24, 1936, to Floyd E. and Freda Reeves Douthitt. His older siblings included a brother, Victor, and sisters, Earline, Marjorie, Grace, and Martha. Bob was a natural athlete. Athletics always played a major part of his life starting with peewee sports. An outstanding athlete at Coffee High School, he lettered in football, basketball and track. Upon graduation in 1954, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years during the Korean War and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1957. He then went to Florence State College (now University of North Alabama) on the GI Bill and a football scholarship. He was a three-year letterman in football and selected as the team MVP in 1960 after setting a school rushing record that stood for 26 years. He was selected All-ACC and helped lead the school to the ACC championship, the first by a Lion football team. He was selected to the 1959-68 UNA All-Decade Team and was inducted into the 2009 Athletic Hall of Fame.
Bob graduated from UNA in 1961 with a major in accounting. He joined the IRS beginning a 35-year career that would take him to five states and Washington, D.C. as he advanced through the management and executive ranks. In 1981, Bob was selected for the IRS Executive Development Program. Over the next 15 years, Bob served in top senior executive positions until his retirement in 1996, after serving as District Director of Mississippi. Bob and his wife, Deanna, returned to their hometown of Florence in 1998. He was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church serving on the vestry as Senior Warden and as chairman of the Trustees. He volunteered for the IRS tax preparation program (VITA) where he taught classes and prepared returns. Bob was always a strong and loyal supporter of UNA. Always a “jock” and avid tennis player, he was in the gym or on court almost every day. His tennis buddies and fellow gym rats became some of his dearest friends.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Deanna Davidson Douthitt; daughter, Ann Douthitt Conrad (Neil) of Atlanta; and two grandchildren, Tripp Conrad (Evelyn) and Ceci Conrad.
A private interment will honor a life well lived.
