Robert H Greer

Robert Harrison Greer triumphantly entered his eternal home peacefully on Tuesday, December 29, surrounded by his family. He was born on Mother’s Day, May 10, 1915 in St. Louis, Missouri. His parents were Harrison and Sally Greer. He had an older brother, Howard, and a younger sister, Evelyn.

As a young man, his family moved to Howie-in-the Hills and helped build Mr. Howie’s mansion. He had stories of living in a tent during the construction, as well as working in the orange groves. He graduated from Tavares High School in the early 1930’s.

After graduating from high school, Bob joined the United States Navy. He served on a minesweeping ship in the engine room. True to the Navy’s saying, “Join the Navy, see the world”, he visited Pompeii, Morocco, and other cities in the Mediterranean.

After his active duty he continued his service with the United States Naval Reserve. During his time with the reserves, he served on several aircraft carriers. He retired after 25 years as an E-7 Chief Petty Officer from the Naval Reserve in May 1975.

He was employed by Glen L. Martin in Maryland and then Martin Marietta in Orlando. While he was employed by Martin Marietta, he worked in the Photo Lab. Bob was involved in several space projects for NASA and the military, making the decals that would go on the outside of the rockets. One of his projects was the Nike X Sprint missile for the U.S. Army. Following 20 years employment, he retired from Martin Marietta.

He was an active member of many organizations, including being a Freemason and a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge No. 270 in Daytona Beach, Fl. He held the rank of 32nd degree Mason. He was a member of the Bahia Shrine in Orlando, and a member of the Bahia Camel Herders, The Swingin’ Scots Drum and Bagpipe band, The Hillbillies, the Flying Fezzes as Commander, the Kentucky Colonels as Commission of Colonel, and the Bingo Bunch, where he was affectionately known as the Popcorn Man. He also held membership in the F & AM Ormazd Grotto in Orlando.

His hobbies included camping and metal detecting. As a member of the Florida Marine, Historical, and Archaeological Society, he took several trips to the Caribbean to pursue metal detecting. He enjoyed traveling and was able to travel, even into his 90s.

He also loved his Great Danes. He had 3: Belvedere, Duchess, and Titan. He enjoyed walking them around his neighborhood and was a sight many neighbors looked forward to seeing daily.

His faith in God was strong and upheld him throughout his life. He was a member of Reformation Lutheran Church since 1960. He held several positions of leadership within the church including Sunday Schools Superintendent and church council. He continued to attend church every Sunday, even until a few weeks before he passed away.

He was a loving husband to his wife, Leona. They were married in 1956 in Daytona Beach, Florida. When she was diagnosed with cancer, he cared for his wife at home for almost nine years. She passed away in 1997.

He is survived by his daughter, Edna Lange (husband Bob) from Jacksonville, Florida and his son, Robert H. Greer, Jr. (wife Linda) from Orlando. He has 2 granddaughters – Melissa Cooper from Jacksonville and Lindsay Greer from Orlando, one great granddaughter, Haley Lawrence from Jacksonville, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials be made to Reformation Lutheran Church, 800 E. Michigan Street, Orlando, Florida, 32806.