Robert (Bob) F. Elmatti, 76, of Eustis, passed away Friday, September 1, 2023. Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in Surfside, Miami Beach, Florida, he was a 1966 graduate of Miami Beach Senior High School.
Bob moved to Eustis in 1971. He earned an AS degree from Lake-Sumter Community College in 1972 and a Bachelor of Engineering Technology from University of Central Florida in 1976. He worked for a variety of companies in quality control and energy conservation and was an Assistant Chaplain in the Lake County Jail.
Bob was a man of faith, loved reading the Bible, and always eager to share it with others. He was a member of The Church at Whistling Pines, Umatilla, as well as Gideons International. He volunteered for many years with the Boy Scouts of America serving in various roles such as Den Chief, Cub Master, Webelos Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster and District Commissioner in several districts. He was a member of Order of the Arrow and Wood Badge. Bob was the founding president Psi Omega chapter of Alpha Phi Omega at UCF. He was a member of the Eustis Gun Club and also loved black powder muzzle loading. He proudly served his country in the US Navy during Vietnam.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lori Elmatti, Eustis, FL; 4 sons, Robb (Heather) Elmatti, Eustis, FL, George Valentino (Rachel) Elmatti, Tuscaloosa, AL, Matthew (Jenn) Elmatti, Altoona, FL, Peter (Virginia) Elmatti, Vancouver, WA; and 9 grandchildren: Noah, Nadya, Faith Ann, Adelaide, Ezra, Hopeful, Ian, Benjamin and River.
Services will be held at The Church at Whistling Pines, Umatilla, on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at 4 PM with a reception to follow. Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, on Monday, September 18 at 10 AM. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations for a Bible Fund can be sent to The Church at Whistling Pines, 16311 Whistling Pines Rd. Umatilla, FL 32784.
