Robert E. Ashby
Bob came to the University of Delaware from his hometown of Caldwell, NJ, in 1972 to play football for Tubby Raymond. He majored in Business Administration and worked part time in the city of Newark throughout his college years. Thus began his long association with the city that he has called home for 38 years. He owns and operates three restaurants in Newark and another in Dover, Delaware.
Bob began his restaurant career with the H.A.Winston company where he quickly rose through the ranks. He purchased his first restaurant, McGlynns Pub, in 1983 and added another McGlynns in 1999. They are popular neighborhood restaurants earning numerous accolades and awards. Throughout the years, Bob has owned and operated various other restaurants, including Ashby's Oyster House, Ashby's Grille, and Ashby's Clam Bar. With each of these endeavors, he increased his involvement in the creation of the kitchen, layout of the dining areas and bar, and design of the menu. In 2001, he took on his most ambitious effort to date- the total renovation of the historic Deer Park Tavern, a hotel and restaurant built in 1851. Acting as general contractor, he restored the building to its former glory and it has been hailed as the "gem of Main Street". It is fully updated while retaining the charms of its storied past. Most recently, Bob designed and built another McGlynns Pub on beautiful Silver Lake in Dover and it has quickly become a local favorite.
Mr Ashby was named the Restaurateur of the Year in 1989 and Delaware's Best Restaurateur in 2005. He has served in all capacities - from board member to chairman- for the Delaware Restaurant Association since 1985. He has also proudly served for nine years on the board of the National Restaurant Association and is currently a Director Emeritus. Bob has donated countless hours on committees too numerous to mention for the betterment of Newark, especially the Downtown Newark Partnership. He received the Cornerstone Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2006 and the University of Delaware honored him with the Renaissance Award in 2007 for his tireless efforts on behalf of the city and the university. He has set up an annual scholarship fund to benefit an HRIM student who has shown promise in the field of hospitality.
