Bob passed away peacefully on March 29, 2018 in Naples, Florida. Bob was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Howard and Ethel Lindabury in 1925. He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. He graduated from University of Guelph (Ontario Agriculture College) in 1949 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture. It was here that he met Vera, the “love of his life,” and they shared 67 wonderful years of marriage together.
In 1953, he accepted a position with Rohm and Haas, Co., and relocated to Ft. Myers, Florida as part of a training program for assisting Immokalee growers. Bob and Vera loved the flora of Southwest Florida and decided to stay. They, along with their business partner, Oscar Corbin, established Corbin Lindabury Farm and Garden Center in 1955 in Naples. At that time, Naples was rural and there was a high demand for Purina Feed for cows, pigs, horses, chickens and rabbits. As Naples grew, the business changed its focus to plants and landscaping. Following the sale of the business to Bob and Vera’s son, Paul, and his business partners, Bob taught horticulture at the newly opened Lorenzo Walker Vocational School. Bob’s horticulture class landscaped the new school, which inspired other Collier County schools to request plants from Bob’s horticulture class to beautify their buildings. Bob was delighted that his appreciation of plants was being perpetuated. Bob also served 24 years as a Mosquito Control Commissioner, during which time aerial spraying replaced the “Jeep Fogger.” After Bob’s retirement, he continued to share his love of agriculture by serving as a Master Gardener with the Collier County Extension Office.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Howard and Ethel Lindabury, and his sister, Virginia Lindabury. He is survived by his loving wife, Vera, his son, Paul, (Kathy), his daughter, Janet Fuller, (John), his grandchildren, Tara Thronson, (Eric), Justin Lindabury, (Megan), Kevin Fuller, Peter Manz, (Sandy) and Jasmine Lewis; Tara and Justin’s Mother, Suzanne Thomas (Bob); and his great-grandchildren, Elias Thronson, Josie Thronson and Brayden Manz.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on April 28, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. at Unity of Naples Church, 2000 Unity Way, Naples, Florida 34112, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Unity of Naples Church, 2000 Unity Way, Naples, Florida 34112 or Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Florida 34105. There will be a private interment at a later date at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens.
For any floral deliveries to Unity of Naples church on Friday, April 27th, please call Kelly from the church at (239) 289-3478 to arrange receiving deliveries.
