Bob Cuff, a former member of the Palm Coast City Council, has passed away at 75 years of age. Cuff was among the most influential figures in Palm Coast’s transition from a community to an incorporated city.
According to those close to Cuff, the former councilman battled prostate cancer during his latter days. Per a report from FlaglerLive, Cuff made the decision to stop treatment in April and enter hospice.
Cuff was first elected to the Palm Coast City Council in 2016. He won a three-way race in District 1, defeating Sims Jones and Arthur McGovern Jr. In the 2020 election cycle he opted not to run for a second term, and his seat was inherited by Ed Danko.
I have never met a single person who didn’t have something kind to say about Bob. Not one,” said former City Councilman Nick Klufas, who served alongside Cuff. “And nobody ever stopped at kind — everyone had a story, and the story was always funny.
That humor was more than charm. It was a tool, and he was a craftsman with it. I watched him walk into rooms where people were dug in and angry, land one dry line, and let everybody breathe. Then they’d listen. And once they listened, they usually came around to his side — which, I’ll admit, was more often than not the correct side.”
Professionally, Cuff spent 17 years as general counsel for the ITT Community Development Corporation. It was ITT’s building blocks that laid the foundation for Palm Coast prior to the city’s incorporation in 1999. Cuff himself was a Flagler County resident since 1983.
Elsewhere in his career, Cuff spent time with several community and nonprofit groups. He was on the board of directors for the Flagler County Education Foundation and Flagler County Habitat for Humanity. Cuff also spent time on the Palm Coast Planning and Land Development Regulation Board, and was once the President of the Flagler County Bar Association.
More importantly than his official accomplishments, Bob Cuff was revered by those who knew him as a devoted public servant and beloved companion. Those who knew him in both personal and professional capacities ensured his best qualities became well established.
“I’m not sure I ever saw Bob put himself ahead of the greater good,” Klufas continued. “Every decision on Council, he asked the same question first: what’s best for Palm Coast? That sounds simple. In practice it’s the rarest thing there is. What I’ll miss most isn’t the chambers, though. It’s the Brown Dog — sitting with a local legend, ordering whatever the special was, having a cold drink, talking about everything and nothing.”
“The City of Palm Coast joins our community in mourning the passing of former City Council Member Robert “Bob” Cuff and extends its deepest condolences to his wife, Toni, his family, friends and all who knew him,” the Palm Coast government said via official channels on Friday. “Throughout his career, Bob brought thoughtful leadership, extensive legal and land-use knowledge, and a unique understanding of Palm Coast’s history and growth. He also generously served numerous local organizations supporting education, seniors, animals, families and youth. Bob’s dedication helped shape Palm Coast from its formative years into the community it is today. We are grateful for his lifetime of service and honor the lasting legacy he leaves behind.”
