Robert Donald Bartlett, 75, passed away on July 9, 2022 at University of Florida Healthcare Leesburg Hospital in Leesburg, Florida.
He was born on August 27, 1946 in Lake Forest, Illinois to his parents Donald McLeod Bartlett and Ida (Quarta) Bartlett. Bob was of the Roman Catholic faith. After graduating from Loyola High School, he attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. He then earned a degree in Chemistry and returned to the Greater Chicagoland area and became an extremely successful businessman whose company created packaging for soap products, laundry detergents and automobile applications.
As sailing was a love, he became a licensed U.S. Merchant Marine Captain. This love of everything about being on the water led him to become affectionately known as “Captain Bob” by everyone who knew him. Though he loved to watch all sports, he was an avid Chicago Cubs fan. He and his brother and nephew attended many Cubs-Cardinals games over the years.
Upon retirement 16 years ago, Bob moved from Medina, Illinois to Mt. Dora, Florida. He enjoyed leading boat tours through the Dora Canal for Premier Boat Tours and was constantly perfecting new jokes for the patrons. He was charismatic and loved his job and gave thousands of tours during which he pointed out every bird, turtle, water snake and alligator. An extremely humble and gracious person. Bob was a cherished friend to all who knew him, doing anything for anyone at any time. Bob never met a stranger.
A devoted son, brother, and uncle, he lived life to the fullest. He is survived by his loving siblings, a brother: Donald Bartlett and sisters: Beverly Martin (Jack), sister Barbara Bartlett, four loving nephews and their families: Robert Bartlett (his namesake), Gregory Martin, Brian Martin and Stephen Martin and many other beloved friends.
