Robert F. Diaz, founder of Crew Line, passed away at 62 on Jan. 30

Bob Diaz, founder of Crew Line and an Emmy award winner, died on Jan. 30 at the age of 62.

Robert F. Diaz, who started Crew Line with his wife in the 1990s, passed away on Jan. 30 of cancer at the age of 62. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Diaz, sons, Robert Diaz II and Matt Ehmig;  daughters Amanda Hurst and Lisa Williams, 6 grandchildren, a great grandchild, his Father Joe Diaz, 2 brothers, a sister and other family and friends. A memorial service will be held on February 15 at 2:00 p.m. at Sylvan Abbey on Sunset Point Road.  Visit Sylvanabbey.com for more information.

Diaz began his television career in 1971 working for WTVM Columbus, GA doing camera, audio, video, announcing, direct news and more. In the late 1970s he moved to St. Petersburg, FL where he produced commercials and was a freelance cameraman and videotape operator as well as a producer for Telemation Studios.

In the 1990s he began Crew Line with his wife, with a focus on providing and organizing production crews for events in Florida and beyond.

Diaz earned an Emmy for his work at the 2004 Olympics in Greece when he worked for NBC and was part of the team that won the “Outstanding Technical Team” Emmy.

“Bob was a pillar of strength, support and resources for the Florida Freelance crewing arena,” says his wife Beverly. “This wasn’t limited to just Florida, he also had a national presence throughout the industry.  His legacy will live on through the continuation of his ground-breaking company. Bob was a class act with his easy-going style and laid-back professional demeanor, while exhibiting tremendous work ethic and producing a high quality product. He will be sorely missed.”