a look at...
Kathy and Bob Stahl
photography by Win Wolloff
Bob and Kathy Stahl, owners of Stahl & Associates Insurance,
grew up in the Tampa Bay area and live in St. Pete Beach, but
spend their time between Florida and Montana. Bob founded
the agency in 1983, and he has served as its president for the last
35 years, supervising offices in St. Petersburg, Oldsmar, Lakeland
and Lake Mary. He has been an adviser to various insurance
companies and is on the risk management board of the Florida
State University College of Business, his alma mater.
Bob is very involved with Family Reach, Johns Hopkins All
Children’s Hospital, Suncoast Hospice/Empath Health and
Directions for Living. He is an avid skier and enjoys fishing,
boating and hunting.
Kathy also graduated from Florida State University with a
degree in interior design and a minor in marketing. She worked
for several firms and started a business before becoming a fulltime
mom and concentrating on charity work. She is on the board
of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and is a member of its
stewardship committee, heart champion and Women’s Journey
committee, and has chaired the hospital’s Arch of Hope. She has
been on the Suncoast Hospice Ball committee for over 10 years
and chaired it many times. She also serves on the board of the
Heart Gallery Pinellas. In Montana, Kathy co-hosts a Ming Tsai
cooking benefit for Family Reach to support needy families
whose children are getting cancer treatments. The Stahls have two
beautiful and talented children, Brittany and Robby.
At what do you excel?
Kathy: I think I excel at being creative in painting, cooking,
decorating, or just coming up with ideas. That’s just the way
my mind works.
Bob: I like to think that I excel at running my organization and
delivering outstanding service to our customers.
What is your favorite word?
Kathy: Dream.
Bob: Integrity.
How do you relax?
Kathy: I relax by going to Montana and smelling the fresh air,
seeing wildlife and the beautiful landscape.
Bob: Snow skiing is my favorite and most relaxing activity.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Kathy: I think the best advice I was ever given was when I
was young and we moved to a new town and I didn’t know
anyone. My mom said go knock on the neighbors’ doors and
ask them if they had kids my age that I could play with. It
wasn’t really advice, but it gave me the foundation to never
be afraid to walk up to somebody and meet them.
Bob: Probably from my father, who encouraged me to start my
own business.
Why do you do what you do?
Kathy: Mostly what I do is charity work. I like doing this
because I think it is necessary to help people that need help.
130 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
Also, I am around volunteers and professionals who are truly
giving people and want to make the world a better place.
Bob: Our business is about protecting people’s lives and their
livelihoods, and I get a great deal of satisfaction when we are
able to accomplish that.
What don’t people know about you?
Kathy: Most people don’t know I am a “conch,” being born in
Key West.
Bob: I am a black belt in tae kwon do.
What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
Kathy: I think my greatest achievement is raising with Bob,
two great kids who are loving, smart and good people.
Bob: My family.
What is your motto?
Kathy: Maybe my motto might be –– A dream is a wish your
heart makes. I have always liked that.
Bob: When the bell rings you come out swinging, and the bell
rings every morning.
How do you think other people would describe you?
Kathy: I don’t really know how other people would describe
me but maybe a little goofy ( I don’t take myself too seriously)
witty, creative, giving, and athletic.
Bob: Hopefully, that I am someone who cares about other
people and who always strives to do the right thing.
What would you like to do that you have never done?
Kathy: There is nothing I would like to do that I haven’t done,
except maybe see the Northern Lights.
Bob: Be the President for a day.
How would you describe yourself?
Kathy: I would describe myself a sensitive, caring, creative,
funny and not being afraid to pursue what is important to me.
Bob: Someone who is always trying to better himself.
What would you like to be able to do that you can’t do?
Kathy: I would like to have super powers.
Bob: Hit a golf ball like Tiger Woods.
What talent do you wish you had?
Kathy: I wish I had the talent to make everything good for people.
Bob: I always wanted to be fluent in another language.
What is the secret to your success?
Kathy: My secret to success is Bob. He is the rock behind me.
Bob: Just doing the best I can do everyday.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Kathy: I am still trying to figure out what I want to be.
It changes a lot.
Bob: Fighter pilot. 9