M. Robert (Bob) Root

Posted on February 14, 2024

M. Robert (Bob) Root, 81, passed away on Feb. 2, 2024, in Perry. He was born Sept. 14, 1942, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Lawrence Root and Helen Stanford Root. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Helen Root; his brother, Monte Root; and his sister, Paula McWilliams. He is survived by: his wife of 55 years, Velinda Parker Root; daughters, Jennifer (John) Allison and Cara (Brian) Hill; three grandchildren, Joshua Hill, Lauren Allison and Owen Allison; one niece; and three nephews. Bob was named after his uncle, who lost his life at Pearl Harbor. The family moved to the Ohio countryside when Bob was very young, where he had an adventurous childhood. He was one of three children in a family of five, having an older brother and a younger sister. Bob grew up in the Stanford Pottery family business. Even as a child, he had a passion for inventing and entrepreneurship, which continued throughout his life. After receiving his electrical engineering degree, he helped design and build the family’s golf course and winter sports business, Root 62. Bob then worked for Akron Control and Motor for a few years before moving to the Sunshine State. He was employed by Pan Am as an electrical engineer with the Guided Missile Range Division at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. He also worked with the Aerospace Service Division at Cape Kennedy, where he helped put the first man on the moon. During the late 60s and early 70s, he and his wife enjoyed worldwide travel, with Bob particularly loving snow skiing in Austria. Continuing his entrepreneurial spirit, he began his first of many successful businesses in the 70s. In 1975, he built a home for his family of four on South Merritt Island where they shared 20 years of wonderful memories. He was very involved in his daughters’ school and his church. Two decades later, he expanded one business, Eastwood Products, to Perry, his wife’s hometown. He loved designing and building, receiving patents for some inventions. In the 2000s, he built a home on a lake near Shady Grove, where he retired in 2004, but not for long. When he was in his sixties, he joined a local engineering firm and later became a partner and coowner. Bob attained his Professional Engineering licenses for Florida, Georgia and Alabama, and continued engineering and consulting. In 2009 he started the local Tea Party organization and traveled across the country with the Tea Party Express, carrying the rolling guest books signed by thousands. He later was the founder and national editor of the American Patriot News. At the age of 75, Bob became a farmer! He developed Lake Pleasant Grove, growing specialty oranges. He enjoyed the country life and built many wonderful friendships. Bob was honest, ethical, kind and a man of integrity. He loved the Lord, his family, friends and America. He was continuously working on a project, yet always made time to help a friend. In lieu of flowers, the family would love for you to honor Bob’s memory by continuing to share his kindness and generosity with others. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Lake Bird Methodist Church at 11 a.m. with Pastor Wallace Holmes officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of Burns Funeral Home of Perry.