Robert F. "Bob" Baskin

Bob Baskin, 94, was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended Cleveland Heights High School and was an accomplished high school swimmer and pole vaulter. He graduated with a degree in English from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Bob and his wife, Marjorie, were married on Christmas Eve, 58 years prior to her passing in 1998. He often observed that "death did not part us, only separated us."

He and Marjorie had their first two children, Georgianna and Mary Lee, when WWII interrupted family life throughout the United States. Bob joined the U.S. Navy, went to Midshipmen School at Cornell University and became a Commissioned Officer.

While serving, the Navy recognized his aptitude for engineering and sent him to the University of Pennsylvania. He later became an Ordnance Engineering Officer in the Naval Gun Factory's electronics development program during the War.

After the War, Bob continued his engineering education at George Washington University. An engineering employment opportunity resulted in a move back to Cleveland, where a son, Bob, and two other daughters, Bonnie and Beth, were born.

Years later, in 1963, Bob joined Honeywell Corporation in St. Petersburg, Florida, as part of the team that designed and built the power supply for the United States' successful Gemini Rocket Program. The remainder of his professional career included power supply engineering positions at RCA and Harris Corporations.

Besides being a talented engineer, Bob pursued numerous hobbies including photography, fishing and boating, collecting and constructing vintage firearms, making fine furniture, clock making, writing short stories and designing and making wooden and metal puzzles. He excelled at each hobby. He won awards in photography and gained many admirers for his beautifully built furniture. In particular, Bob artfully re-created early Shaker furniture for his own household and for family and friends to treasure. Two feature articles in the Tallahassee Democrat provided a glimpse of his creations and resulted in a public appreciation for his skills. He and Marjorie loved every one of the many dogs and cats they included in their family over the years. Bob never met a stray dog he did not love and want to take home.

Over the last few years, Bob gained an extended family while residing at Tallahassee's Allegro Senior Living Community. Bob and his family greatly appreciate the untiring assistance and love that long term dedicated care givers, especially Maryellen, Roxy, Sherri , Shirley and her team provided.

Bob Baskin is survived by his and Marjorie's five children and three sons-in-law: Georgiana Joseph and husband, Jim, (Monticello), Marylee Robertson and husband, Glenn (Tallahassee), Robert A. Baskin (Weaverville, NC), Bonnie Copps (Tallahassee) and Beth Chandler and husband Mark (Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey). He also is survived by 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, special friends, Carole and Fred Reinhart and their extended family and many other friends who will miss his humor and corny jokes.

His family will receive friends in celebration of Bob's life during a visitation at Culley's Funeral Home on Timberlane Road, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22 .A private family ceremony will be held later.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Leon County Humane Society, 4130 Timberlane Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32312.