Bob Masteller family speaks out in wake of discovery of body in Broad Creek
A few hours after the body of a missing Hilton Head Island jazz club owner was apparently found in Broad Creek on Monday, his family memorialized the longtime island resident and well-known music enthusiast.
A body believed to be that of Bob Masteller, 76, was found under a dock on Broad Creek by a fisherman around 9 a.m. Monday morning, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff's Office news release.
Masteller's family memorialized the Jazz Corner owner in a statement released around 3 p.m. Monday, saying he was "deeply loved by many and will be greatly missed."
"We are profoundly touched by the outpouring of love and support for our family during this very difficult time and are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our beloved Bob," the statement said. "He lived life as a devoted husband, father and friend to all. He lived a life of kindness, vision and love. He lived a life built around nurturing countless musicians and individuals young and old with his passion for music."
In addition to his work with Hilton Head's musicians through The Jazz Corner and his Junior Jazz Foundation, Masteller was also a key part of the island's growth in the 1970s, serving as a senior vice president in Sea Pines.
"For over 40 years, Bob was dedicated to and loved the Lowcountry community, helping to build what is now modern Hilton Head Island," the statement said. "It is our sincere hope that he will be remembered for how he lived. His legacy lives on through the numerous lives he touched in such a tangible and positive way."
The body found under the dock Monday had on similar clothing to what Masteller was reportedly wearing when he was last seen March 9, the release said.
The dock, on a curving section of Broad Creek, is about a mile downstream from the Charles E. Fraser Bridge, where Masteller's wife, Lois, found his minivan March 10, according to a Sheriff's Office report released over the weekend.
Lois Masteller told deputies she last saw her husband when they went to bed about 10:30 p.m., the night before. She called 911 about 7:45 a.m. March 10 after she found his Toyota Sienna in an eastbound shoulder atop the bridge, the report said.
The minivan was covered in condensation and unlocked, with the keys laying on the passenger seat, the report said. Additional statements from Lois Masteller were redacted from the report.
The search started soon after the minivan was discovered, continuing for six days before the discovery of the body Monday.
The Sheriff's Office led the search effort, which focused primarily on Broad Creek and also included the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and, briefly, the U.S. Coast Guard.
This story was originally published March 16, 2015 at 6:50 PM with the headline "Bob Masteller family speaks out in wake of discovery of body in Broad Creek."