Robert Winthrop Flanders

Robert W. Flanders, 82, was born November 3, 1942, and passed away January 15, 2025 in the care of Tidewell Hospice. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut and lived in New Hampshire until he was 14 years old. His family moved to the Bradenton area, where he soon met and married Mary Porter. They graduated from Manatee High & have been married over 65 years. They have now lived in Laurel Oak for over 33 years.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Flanders, daughter Kasey Martel (Marty), Granddaughter Marysa Martel, and sister Becky Curtis (Wayne), as well as a multitude of nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews and several cousins. He is preceded in death by his son Jason Flanders, his parents Herb and Hattie Flanders, Brother Thomas Flanders and Sister Ethel Escalera.

During & after high school, Bob worked for his father in the stucco business until he was drafted. He served in the United States Army, where he serviced, repaired and maintained Tanks, Jeeps and any other vehicle necessary. Those skills came in handy later in life when he began restoring 1955-1957 Thunderbirds in the 80’s. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant (E5). When he got out of the service, he returned to Bradenton and back into the stucco business. He built Quality Walls into the largest stucco contractor in the area and remained in business for 50 years. During that time, he was very active in the community and served multiple charitable and outside organizations. Some of those include:

Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, founding member; Argus Foundation, charter member; Sarasota Suncoast Charities for Children; Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children; 32nd degree Mason; Scottish Rite Foundation; Sarasota Sahib Shrine Temple, charter member; FCCI Board of Directors, 30 years; Gator Creek Golf Club, charter member; and Laurel Oak, charter member.

He was the recipient of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange Lifetime achievement award, but his passion was working with disadvantaged children. On many occasions Bob personally flew children that were burn victims to South Carolina for treatment at his own expense.

In the mid 80’s The Suncoast Foundation was founded. Bob was an early board member and become Chairman for over 20 years. During his tenure at the Suncoast Foundation, they built over 60,000sf of buildings where non profits pay just $1/yr. Some of these tenants are The Florida Center, The Haven and Children First. The proceeds from Thunder By the Bay, Bob Rizi Golf Tournament and the Suncoast Offshore Power Boat races helped pay for the construction. Quality Walls worked on all of these projects and donated 100% of the stucco work for these buildings. He had a true passion for giving, not just in monetary donations, but selflessly giving of his time, his expertise, his hard work and labor. He was never afraid to get his hands dirty and do the work himself.

Some of his interests and hobbies throughout his life included playing golf and playing in golf tournaments in Las Vegas and in Laurel Oak; traveling around the world with Mary and FCCI, flying: as a pilot, he flew single and multi-engine, instrument and commercial pilot ratings, snow skiing, and spending time with his family, both in Sarasota and in North Carolina.

A Celebration of Life will be open to all on February 2, 2025 at 4pm at the Sarasota Sahib Shriners, 600 N. Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34232. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tidewell Foundation, 3550 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, or any charity of your choice.