Robert Epstein

Funeral Services for Robert L. Epstein (Bob), 68, of St. Petersburg, FL. will be held at Bay Pines on March 5, 2010 at 10:45AM. On Friday, February 12, 2010, Bob passed away at the Bay Pines VA Hospital, Hospice Unit with his loving family at his side.

Bob was born in Smithers, W. VA. , then moved to Oak Hill, W. VA with his parents Louis J. Epstein (Lou) and Belle Epstein at the age of 3. The family moved to St. Petersburg, FL in 1952 when Bob was 11 years old. He attended local schools. He attended high school at St. Petersburg High School and graduated in 1960. He was a Boy Scout, went to Philmont high adventure, earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and went on to become a Boy Scout leader at St. Matthews Episcopal Church. After high school he enlisted in the army and served 9 months active duty during the Berlin Crisis in 1962 and the Vietnam Era and then served 6 additional years in the reserves. His tenure in the service ran from 1961 to 1968. He attended St. Petersburg Junior College during his years as a reservist and studied sales and marketing.
On January 11, 1964 he married Charlotte Adams Epstein and they had two children. They were married for 33 years.
He had a lifelong career in sales, having worked at Willson-Chase Department Store, Woolco, Macy’s, JC Penny’s Department Store, and then owned his own carpet and flooring business. After retiring from his carpet business, he filled his time with carpentry and foreman work.

He was a lifelong member of the Breakfast Optimist Club and served as treasurer and president as well as other committee leadership positions, and received many awards for his outstanding service to the community.
Proceeded in death by his parents, Lou on March 28, 1999 and Belle on December 26, 2002, Bob is survived by his daughter Katherine Epstein-Leis and husband, Tom Leis of Bradenton, FL, his son David Epstein of St. Petersburg, FL, four grandchildren, Rebecca and Chris Leis and Jessica and Derrick Epstein, and former wife and lifelong friend Charlotte Epstein, of St. Petersburg, FL., and many friends who loved him.

He loved golfing, boating, fishing, motor cycles, volunteering to help others, and working with his hands.
He was baptized in 1962 at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, and later attended the Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg, FL.

Anyone who was fortunate to have known him knew the kindness and generosity of his loving heart and pleasant and caring soul. He will be dearly missed.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the SICU and The Hospice Unit at Bay Pines Hospital for the wonderful care and guidance that they provided to Bob and his family.

The family will receive friends at 5060 35th Ave. No., St. Pete, following funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to VA HCS Bay Pines GPF 1086 and mailed to: Bay Pines VAHCS, Hospice Unit Ward 5C, P.O. Box 5005, Bay Pines, FL, 33744.