Robert Bruce ‘Bob’ West was born June 29, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York, to parents Robert Bruce West, Sr. and Edith Clifton. At the age of 9, his mother moved Bob and younger brother, William A. ‘Bill’, to Sarasota, Florida. In time, Bob and Bill welcomed a new younger brother, John Clifton Raeburn, and gained a beloved step-father, John ‘Pop’ Raeburn.

In 1948, Bob married his high-school sweetheart, Evelyn Thomas at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota. A little over two months later, Bob was riding his motorcycle to visit his step-dad for Father’s Day and was the victim of a hit and run, near-fatal accident. He spent his 21st birthday in the hospital recuperating from multiple surgeries. After that beginning, Bob and Evelyn were married 76 years!

Bob worked at Florida Power and Light Co. for over 40 years, beginning as a welder and retiring in 1987 in upper management. Bob was a do-it-yourselfer in so many ways: he built most of their home on 42nd St. himself and, in later years, he and the family built a cabin in the mountains of North Carolina, a place so many people enjoyed over the years. He helped all his kids with projects at their homes, from fences to chimneys to clearing land, to filling in sinkholes.

He was involved in Scouts with his sons and in band parents’ organizations with all his children. He and Evelyn hosted a Swedish exchange student, Lars Nordensten, and provided him with a number of travels in the U.S. Bob enjoyed woodworking and made beautiful pens which he gave as gifts.

About 1958, Bob and Evelyn, along with another couple, were given the task of starting a new Presbyterian Church in Sarasota. From that assignment came Northminster Presbyterian Church. The group met in the DeSoto Lakes Sales Office while the church was becoming a reality. Northminster is still an active church today.

Bob and Evelyn loved to travel. They visited all 50 states, Italy, Greece, Russia, Mexico, Canada, Guatemala, Aruba, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Estonia, and many more. They had a beautiful motorhome in which they traveled the challenging AlCan Hwy.

Bob was always ready to help anyone, anywhere, any time, in any way he could, generous with his time, his money, and his energy. Many people received a helping hand from him. His great love, however, was the time he spent with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. At the age of 97, Bob passed away on September 3, 2024.

Bob was pre-deceased by his brother, William A. West. He is survived by the love of his life, Evelyn Thomas West, and by his brother, John Clifton Raeburn. Also survived by his three children: Terri Asche, PA; Robert B. West III (Rachel), NC; Dr. John T. West (Debbie), NC; and his beloved former daughter-in-law, Faye Leschitz, FL. Also survived by four grandchildren: Kellie Bardo (Ray), FL; Brian West (Ginny), FL; Barbara West (Curtis), CA; and Jennifer West (Peter), GA. He is survived by five great-grandchildren: Taylor Valle (Jim), James Bardo; Nicholas West (Kailee); Madison West; and Dustin Bardo (Kiana). He is survived by four great-great-grandchildren: Mason Bardo, Luna Valle, Dustin Bardo Jr, and Kyla Bardo.

Forever missed!