Robert Martin Reed, 65, of Haines City, FL and Ithaca, NY passed away on December 11, 2018 at the Forsyth House of the Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale, FL. He was born in Ithaca, NY to the late Ira W. Reed Jr.and Emma (Petricola) Grover. Bob graduated from Ithaca High School in 1971 and from Cornell University in 1975.
He is survived by his brothers William L. Reed and Billy Grover of Ithaca, NY, and Ira W. Reed III (Cheryl) of East Berlin, PA and a sister Rebecca (Grover) Kannus of Ithaca, NY. He is also survived by three aunts; Isabella (Petricola) Worthen of Old Forge, NY, Nancy (Petricola) Parrott and Marilyn Petricola and his uncle Joseph Petricola, all of Ithaca, NY. Bob’s stepfather Dell Grover and his uncle Lou Petricola predeceased him. Bob had a special bond and love for his stepmother Beverly (Hillick) Reed, whom he cared for and lived with prior to her death.
Bob is survived by many nephews, nieces and cousins including Christopher Reed and Jennifer Reed Klingensmith (and their mother Millie Reed), Mary Grace Grover, Cassandra, Colton and Larissa Reed, Darren and Rachel Kannus, Anita Lombardi, John Petricola & Joseph Petricola Jr., Karen Worthen Beck, Jonathan Worthen, Kimberly Capalongo, Nichole Barnett (goddaughter) Laura, Kristen and Maria Petricola and Susan Reed.
Bob’s lifelong passion for the game of golf began in high school and continued into college. At Cornell University he was captain of the Golf Team and helped to win many tournaments throughout the Northeast. After college he pursued a career in the hospitality business in the mid-West. A highlight of his career was hosting Elvis Presley and his entourage at his hotel. Eventually his successful career managing hotels lead him back to his love of golf. In the 1980s he relocated to Florida to manage golf courses and to teach golf. In 1990 Bob became a member of the East Central Chapter of the North Florida PGA and from 2008 to 2011 was president of the Chapter. In the ensuing years Bob’s involvement with golf continued and in 2015 he reached a milestone in joining the PGA’s Quarter Century Club having been a member of the association and a professional golfer for in excess of 25 years. In the most recent chapter of Bob’s golf career, after he stopped playing the game, he continued to support the various PGA tournaments with his officiating and hole-by-hole support of NBC television coverage. For more information about Bob’s career in golf please see the North Florida PGA Facebook page.
Most people who knew “Baby Lou” can understand and share what Arnold Palmer wrote in his letter to Bob in 2010, “many thanks for the wonderful cheesecake”. Most likely Bobby’s response was “no problem, boo boo.”
Contributions in remembrance of Bobby can be made to the North Florida PGA Foundation c/o Alexis Holliday ([email protected]) at 7593 Gathering Dr. Kissimmee, FL 33896. Services in Florida and Ithaca, NY are planned for Spring of 2019.
ce of Auberndale, FL.
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