Obituary: Robert H. "Bob" Wallick

Robert H. “Bob” Wallick died peacefully in his sleep on Jan. 3, 2016, at Mike Conley Hospice House in Clermont, FL. Bob is survived by his wife, Jeanette; children, Mark (Gloria), Kurt (Donnette), Kelly (Bill) Chambers, Kerry Herzig; grandchildren, Kam (Dan) Bratkovich, Travis (Marzie) Wallick, Jared Prince, Tom Wallick, Allie Wallick, Harry Herzig; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Born in Beach City, Ohio, in 1928, Bob completed high school at 16, attended Ohio State for a year before beginning a life of travel. He met Jeanette in Virginia, where they eventually settled and Bob’s dream of owning his own business took form. His entrepreneurial talent led him through a number of enterprises, most which were before their time. He sold and built homes, sold products for major companies: Coleman and Robin Hood Mills.

His sales ability, strong work ethic, intelligence and problem-solving ability were the springboard of his greatest accomplishment, aside from his children, as founder of Robert Wallick Associates Inc. A natural salesman, Bob was selling cellulose insulation faster than the manufacturer could produce it due to a lack of newspaper. The answer was to start a recycling company focused on newspaper which led to his company being a forerunner in the recycling industry in Central Florida.

Bob excelled in many things but building a house from the ground up was a passion. He was never happier than when he built his home and three for his children as they worked alongside him every step of the way. Family was the most important part of his life. He cherished his wife of 65 years and the life they built with their children. He loved having them close and as neighbors. He prepared his children for life with lessons not only in hard work and the value of a dollar, but with hands-on skills of physical labor and the gratification of seeing the fruits of your labor.

He taught his children to enjoy travel and places off the beaten path. An avid gardener, Bob grew food for his family in the early years and later, in Florida, experimented with a variety of fruits.

A man of many facets and many talents, a man who will be greatly missed by his family and friends, a man who will be missed by all those whose life he touched.

A memorial celebration will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30, at the Winter Garden Elks Lodge. Memorials may be made to Mike Conley Hospice House, Alzheimer’s Association, The Russell Home for Atypical Children and Elks National Foundation.