Robert Lawrence Rose

Robert Lawrence Rose, 90, of Fleming Island, FL, passed peacefully of natural causes on Wednesday afternoon, February 5, 2020, surrounded by his family. Bob was born to Lawrence Lee Rose and Martha Carter Rose on March 25, 1929 in McMinnville, TN. An only child, Bob grew up surrounded by an extended family of aunts and uncles who helped him overcome the effects of polio suffered in childhood to flourish as he grew older, later becoming an avid camper, Eagle Scout and Boy Scout troop leader. While in high school, he worked as a drug store soda jerk and lifeguard at the city’s public swimming pool. He was a 1947 graduate of McMinnville High School where he was the valedictorian and senior class president of his graduating class. A popular student and classmate, Bob also loved playing trombone in the Silver and Gold band that toured the middle Tennessee area. As his classmates were quoted in his senior yearbook, “Take him, for all in all, you will not find his like again.” Bob went to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to study engineering, joining the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and later becoming the intermural tennis champion. During his time at UT, the Vols were 1951 National Champions, fueling Bob’s lifelong love of, and passion for, Tennessee Volunteer football. A 1952 Graduate of UT with Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering, Bob began his career with the Olin-Mathieson Chemical Company, moving in those early years between Niagara Falls, NY, Lake Charles, LA and Brandenburg, KY. Soon after graduation, Bob met a beautiful airline stewardess on a blind date in Buffalo, NY. Immediately smitten, Phyllis Kessler would become the love of Bob’s life and a great love story began. Two years later, they eloped to Russellville, KY, where they were married on July 16, 1954 by a local judge; they later settled in Brandenburg, KY, where their first child, a son Larry, was born. Shortly after the birth, the young family moved to Pensacola, FL, where Bob continued his career as a chemical engineer with The Chemstrand Corporation (later part of Monsanto Corporation). This move began an adventure that saw the Rose family living and growing in numerous cities across the country as Bob’s career flourished. In Pensacola, two daughters – Lee and Lisa - were born. In 1963, Bob was transferred, and the family moved to Decatur, AL, which became their home for the next fifteen years. During their wonderful years in Decatur, Bob was a successful business leader who made time to be active in the community, serving on the boards of numerous organizations such as the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, the Decatur Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club of Decatur, North Alabama Boy Scout Council, DHS Red Raider Booster Club, the Decatur Country Club, and as Senior Warden on the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Bob especially looked forward to his Saturday morning golf game with friends. He was also an avid gardener and enjoyed evening strolls with Phyllis to admire the fruits of their labors. A son of the south, Bob was very proud of his Tennessee roots; he believed in manners and showing respect for all. This is how he lived his life and he demanded it in return. Most importantly, Bob was the leader of his family. He was a loving father and husband who wholeheartedly supported his wife and children in their many business, academic, social and sports activities. After their time in Decatur, his career led to more moves and executive positions as the Plant Manager of the Monsanto Delaware River Plant and Vice President of Operations, Noramco, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson Company. Bob was a driven leader who took great joy in the success of the employees he managed. He liked to refer to those associates as his ‘troops’, and the admiration was mutual as demonstrated by numerous letters, articles and awards attesting to the bond between them. As the years marched on, his journey continued with further career growth and moves to Woodbury, NJ, Dimondale, MI, Salem, NJ, and Athens, GA before finally retiring for the last time to the Beaufort, SC area, residing on Dataw Island, and later, Fleming Island, FL. With every move and destination, Bob and Phyllis remained active, sharing life, and making memories along the way. Along with the occasional changes in residences, the couple also traveled both domestically and internationally. All these stops were filled with fun, new friends, wonderful family times, dining, and dancing, and always love. With great intelligence and insight, Bob Rose had a knack for analyzing every situation, and likewise had the ability to find the best in all he encountered and how to relate to them. He was unyieldingly positive and could always coax the best from everyone. He borrowed Winston Churchills saying for the family motto, “Never, never, never, never give up!” Bob will be profoundly missed by all – his quick mind, his wise counsel, and his unwavering support were the foundation of the Rose family. His boundless love for Phyllis was an example of true love will be a guide us all for the rest of our lives. Preceded in death by his mother and father, and his much beloved wife Phyllis, Bob is survived by his son Robert Lawrence Rose, Jr. of Nashville, TN, his daughter Lee Rose Digiovanni (William) of Fleming Island, FL, and his daughter Lisa Rose Sullivan (Andrew) also of Fleming Island, FL. His grandchildren include William Scott Digiovanni of Jacksonville, FL, Robert Lawrence Rose, III of Murfreesboro, TN, and Emma Catherine Brock Rose also of Murfreesboro, TN, along with his sister-in-law Patricia Kessler Allred (Daniel) of San Antonio, TX, and numerous nieces and nephews across the country. At Phyllis’ passing, it was said that it was not the end of the love story for Bob and Phyllis, simply a pause; that pause is now over. The cause of Bob’s death was listed as natural causes, but we know it was really a broken heart, missing his beloved Phyllis. Lord, we commend him to your eternal care - “Take him, for all in all, you will not find his like again.” When you see a couple joyously dancing and laughing; Bob will be the one with an orange halo. A Celebration of Life was planned in Fleming Island, FL this spring but cancelled due to the current coronavirus outbreak; another is now scheduled in Decatur, AL on July 25. Bob and Phyllis wished to be cremated; honoring their wishes, they have been and will be buried together at the family cemetery plot in McMinnville, TN, at Riverside Cemetery on August 1, at 11:00 a.m. when Bob brings his bride home for the last time. The Rose family would like to thank the caregivers and staff of Allegro Senior Living, Orange Park Medical Center, and Haven Hospice - Custead Care Center for the love and care you showered on our dear Bob, as well as the many friends who have offered their prayers and condolences during this difficult time. Finally, Bob was forever grateful for the education UT afforded him and the life that education provided him and his family. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory can be made to the University of Tennessee Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Fund, Office of Advancement, UT Foundation, Inc., 600 Andy Holt Tower, Knoxville TN 37996. And forevermore - Go Big Orange!