Robert Kenneth Tolsma

Robert “Bob” Kenneth Tolsma, 76, of Sarasota, FL died peacefully on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. Bob was born on February 26, 1947 in Hackensack, NJ; the son of Daniel and Evelyn Tolsma. Bob graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, NJ in 1965.

After graduating from Northern Valley Regional High School in 1965, Bob spent two years at the University of South Carolina prior to transferring to Newark College of Engineering (NCE). He met Nancy, a Student Nurse at Hackensack Hospital in 1969. They were married in 1971…six weeks after Bob graduated from NCE.

After living for a few years in Westwood and four more years in Ocean County, Bob and Nancy moved to Sarasota, FL where they raised their daughters Kim and Debbie. The girls both graduated from Clemson. After school, the girls both gravitated to Tallahassee, FL. In 2007, after 31 years in Sarasota, Bob and Nancy moved to Tallahassee to be with their family.

Both Bob and Nancy were recognized as National Points of Light recipients for their ongoing volunteer efforts on local- and state-level activities. Bob was also an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church and served as a Volunteer Firefighter (38 years) and CPR instructor. He also served as a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay until 2007. During his time with Rotary, he received the Paul Harris Fellowship (PHF) Award which is the highest honor that Rotary can bestow on an individual. He was also an active volunteer with the Girl Scouts of America, the President of the Sarasota Girls Choir (1987-1988), volunteered with the PTA and with the Sarasota High Band Boosters.

Bob was a Civil Engineer by trade and his career evolved to a focus on Ports Design and Development. His favorite time as an Engineer was with Gee & Jenson Engineers-Architects-Planners of Florida. He traveled the world as part of his job including travel to all continents other than Antarctica. One of his most memorable assignments was his role as the Project Manager for developing designs for the water-based venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. If you spent any time with Bob, he definitely told you about his time in China.

Bob’s career also included global assignments in Guam, UAE and Egypt; planning for Disney’s Castaway Cay; and closer to home, assignments in the Bahamas, Caribbean, Central America and the United States. He led multiple projects for ports across the United States, including but not limited to, Port Manatee (32+years), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Port Miami, Port Panama City, Port of San Francisco, Port Tampa Bay, Port Mobile, and Port of Pensacola. Bob was the first private sector professional to successfully complete the requirements for certification as a Professional Port Manager (PPM®) from the American Association of Port Authorities. He was also named a Diplomat in Port Engineering, from the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Bob started as a volunteer firefighter in New Jersey on February 26, 1968. During his tenure as a firefighter in New Jersey, he worked with multiple departments, including the Old Tappan, NJ Fire Department, the Westwood, NJ Fire Department, and the Lanoka Harbor, NJ Fire Department. After moving to Florida, Bob resumed volunteer activities with the Sarasota County Fire Department in the 1990s, including returning to school in the fall of 1992 to become a state certified EMT. He retired as the Division Chief for the Sarasota County Volunteers and volunteered up to 1500 hours per year as a Firefighter / EMT.

Even with all of these career achievements, God, Family, Clemson Football and Disney World ranked higher than work. It is no coincidence to the family that Bob passed away on Walt Disney’s birthday. Some of the family’s best memories were trips to Disney World, and specifically Fort Wilderness, over the years. He would carry his granddaughters on his shoulders as they navigated the crowds and went on every ride possible. He was an avid Clemson fan and season ticket holder- even when Clemson wasn’t winning. He proudly wore his orange overalls and lucky Clemson t-shirt to every game. He loved to golf and go on canoe trips, and always had his snorkel and fins with him when he covered the Caribbean territory for work.

Bob never met a stranger. He lived a full life and touched so many lives along the way. He will be very missed, but his legacy lives on through his daughters and granddaughters.

He was predeceased by his parents, Daniel and Evelyn Tolsma; sister, Carol Keiper; and his dogs: Buttons and Buster. We know that Dad gave Buster an Oreo as soon as they saw each other again.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Nancy Lee Tolsma; daughters, Kimberly Koegel (Robert) and Debra Tolsma; granddaughters, Taylor Ann Koegel and Alexandra Kathleen Koegel; and his beloved dog of 15 years, Tramp. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, family and friends that he cared for deeply.

Bob’s service will be held on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park. The address is 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232. Following the service, there will be time for fellowship and visiting with the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to one of the following organizations:

FLA Foundation, Inc.

3063 Bell Grove Drive

Tallahassee, FL 32308

https://fla-foundation.com/

Sarasota Firefighters Benevolent Fund

PO Box 147

Sarasota, FL 34230

https://www.sarasotafirefighters.com/