Robert Ahrens

Robert W. Ahrens, 86, a resident of Port Orange passed away Sunday, May 10, 2015 at Florida Hospital Hospice. Robert was born in Crete, Ill. Son of William and Viola Ahrens. Robert left high school early and honorably served in the U. S. Air Force. He also participated in Dirt Car racing in the mid-forties. An enterprising young man, Robert was a certified welder and traveled extensively working throughout South and Central America. Upon returning to the states he began a business, Dock-Right Dock Co., building boat docks at the Lake of the Ozarks in Camdenton, Missouri. Not happy with the quality of the foam available, he began to manufacture his own product. He was so successful that the foam business became his full time job. He used the profits from welding to build a manufacturing plant and established his company, Imperial Foam. In 1979 he semi-retired and moved to Florida. He soon began to sell foam to local vendors and construction companies in Florida and established a second plant in Ormond Beach. He was dedicated to his work and looked to employ anyone with his work ethic and honesty, regardless of their appearance. He always said “You can never judge a book by the cover.” Robert was an avid NASCAR fan, enjoyed golf most of his adult life and earned his private pilot certificate. He was also a member of the Drive in Christian Church. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Aileen; children, John, Steve and Paul Brennaman, Susan Poirier and Marie Von Holten; grandchildren, Steven, Jennifer, Randy, Christopher, Kyle, Kristin, Sara, Kayla, Nathaniel, Samuel, Daniel and Joanna; and great-grandchildren, Cassidy, Callen and Aubrey. Funeral Services will be Saturday 11:00 a.m. at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home 548 N. Nova Rd. Ormond Beach. Burial with military honors will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida Hospital Hospice or the American Cancer Society.