Robert Welch

Robert Ernest Welch (“Bob”), of Floral City, born in 1933, passed away November 26, 2024, under Hospice care in Lecanto. He was 91.

Bob was born to Howard and Eva Vernon Welch in Sumiton, AL. He was raised by his father with his brothers George and Bill. They traveled from Texas, to Arizona, to California, settling in Rockford, IL where he graduated from Harlem High School. He moved to Florida to attend Florida State University where he met his wife, Alma. Bob later graduated from the University of Florida and became a registered civil engineer and land surveyor. He went to work for Florida Power & Light in Miami and later transferred to Sarasota where the family lived for 28 years. After he retired from FPL, he and Alma enjoyed traveling. They built their favorite vacation home in Sapphire, NC from scratch. They moved to Floral City in 2000. Bob was an active member of the United Methodist Church since he and Alma married in 1960, both participated in and coordinated short term volunteer missions to Belize, Central America for almost ten years. He was a member of Floral City Methodist Church at the time of his passing.

Bob adored his wife, noting she was the love of his life and the kindest person he ever met. He left his family with a legacy of love. His children are especially grateful for his Godly example of unconditional love and unwavering support. Bob loved spending time with his family, fishing with his son, and being outdoors. He was the master of “punny” dad jokes, crossword puzzles, and could build practically anything with ‘stuff’ he had in his workshop. His grandchildren remember how patient he was, cherishing the trips they took to NC, how he could always help them with their math homework, how he made them chuckle when he would ‘sneak sweets’ from Granny’s kitchen, and that his hair was as soft as a daisy’s. Bob was also a faithful friend to many, always willing to lend his support and a helping hand.

He was preceded in death by his brothers William Welch and George Welch, his granddaughter, Julia Welch, and his nieces Regina Peterson and Rebecca Silver. Those left to cherish Bob’s memory are his loving wife of 64 years, Alma Lowe Welch, Floral City, FL; his son Joseph Welch (Shirley) of Floral City, FL, his daughter Amanda Sonnen (Russel) of Sarasota, FL; his grandchildren, Nicholas Welch (Angela), Elizabeth Caruana (Christopher) of Lutz, FL, Briana Payne (Vincent) of Myakka City, FL, and Kelsey Sonnen of Sarasota, FL; his great-grandchildren, Gracelyn Fountain (Nathaniel), Kira Friia-Welch, Austin Welch, Logan Welch, Dylan Welch, Nolan Welch, Alexandria Caruana, Lainey Payne and Teagan Payne, and great-greatgrandchild Riley Fountain; his nieces, Rachel Jaspers (Paul) of Greenville, SC, and Ruth Brick (Nathan) of North Port, FL.

A Celebration of Life for Bob will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11:00AM at the Floral City Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 10:30 until time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations please be made to Floral City Methodist Church or VITAS Hospice. Cremation arrangements are in the care of Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Cremation Care.