Robert Anthony Lotane

Bob’s remarkable, rich, challenging life included significant highs and a few devastating lows, but he remained strong, active, and involved throughout, and he leaves many, many close friends, colleagues, debaters, and relatives with a tremendous loss.

Bob was born in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and moved with his family to Chatham, Massachusetts as a teenager, always referring to his time on Cape Cod as his formative years. He was nicknamed Leech during this time as a hockey player, graduating from Chatham High School in 1977. After enlisting in the United States Air Force in the fall of 1978, he served as a medic and emergency room shift leader at the USAF Hospital, F. E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he met his best friend of 40 years, Wes Singletary. Following his discharge from the military, Bob returned to Massachusetts and worked in local hospitals, then as a news anchor for commercial radio, and ultimately in the wholesale flower trade with his father, Doug, for many years.

Bob moved to Tallahassee in 2000. He earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration, magna cum laude, from Barry University in 2001, and a master’s degree in political science from Florida State University in 2005.

He built a career in government and communications, including positions as the communications director to Florida’s chief financial officer and press secretary to the state insurance commissioner, vice president for public relations firm Hill & Knowlton, and board chairman for the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. He was actively involved with several not-for-profit organizations throughout his time in Tallahassee, and at the time of his death was a board member of Refuge House and Goodwood Museum & Gardens.

He was deeply involved in Leon County politics and was a frequent opinion contributor to the Tallahassee Democrat. Bob was also a valued mentor to many young entrepreneurs and aspiring political candidates, and he loved vigorous discussions and debates with friends and colleagues about sports, politics, and many other life topics. He was a proud FSU supporter and closely followed all his beloved Boston sports teams.

In 2014, Bob contracted West Nile Virus and subsequent transverse myelitis, a neurologic condition that resulted in quadriplegia. Through exhaustive rehabilitation and with the phenomenal support of his wife, Alissa Slade Lotane, he regained partial use of his arms and hands and enjoyed a significant degree of independence and mobility thereafter. The frequency and scope of his wheelchair trips all over town were popular with his Brant Hills neighbors, frequently accompanied by phone calls to his adored cousin, Jackie Austin. Bob and Alissa were also aided by his beloved caregivers, Che Freckleton and Nyia Evans, who have enabled Bob and Alissa to live active and full lives. Che was with Bob for more than ten years and performed many valued roles.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, Douglas and Regina (Sheridan) Lotane; his sister, Lisa (Lotane) Reagan; his brother, Douglas Lotane; and his late wife, Robin Fyfe Lotane. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Alissa Slade Lotane; his brother, Philip Lotane, and his wife, Nancy, of Concord, Massachusetts; and his nieces and nephews, Kelly Anne Reagan, Katie Lotane, Charlie Lotane, and Anthony Lotane.

A memorial gathering open to the public will be scheduled in the near future. Donations in Bob’s memory can be made to the Refuge House, Goodwood Museum & Gardens, or the Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross.