Robert Perkins Balch

Robert P. Balch, 96, of Venice, FL passed away April xx, 2017. He was born January 1, 1921 in Montreal, Canada to Lyle and Bessie Balch. He was a graduate of Amherst High School in Amherst, NH and attended Worcester Jr College in MA. He moved to Venice in January of 2000 from Naples, FL. Prior to moving to Naples, he resided in Upton, MA.

Before retiring, Mr. Balch worked as a Research Designer with Draper (which became Rockwell Industries) in Hopedale, Mass. He was a WWII Army Veteran, and recipient of a Purple Heart. He was blessed to have been chosen to travel with the Angel Flight program to visit the WWII Monument in Washington DC.

Mr. Balch was a former Officer with the American Legion, and a Mason of over 50 years at the Franklin Lodge in Grafton, Mass. Locally in Venice, he attended Grace Methodist Church. He was an avid reader, a poet and loved to travel. He was a beloved family man with a great sense of humor and was fondly referred to as a "walking dictionary". He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Dorothy Colcord Balch of Venice, FL; daughters, Linda Langley of Venice, FL and Lorraine (Thomas) Limero of Houston, TX; Five grandchildren: Jason Langley and Allison Langley of Venice, FL and Christopher Limero of League City, TX, Kyle Limero of Houston, TX and Rachel (Limero) McKee of Baytown, TX, four great grandchildren.

Services are being held privately. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a donation to Tidewell Hospice, at tidewell.org.