Robert Halstead Foland

Robert Halstead Foland September 18, 1923 - June 21, 2016 Bob Foland moved his family to Florida from upstate New York in 1951 with a handpainted “Florida or Bust” sign attached to the side of the truck loaded with all the family possessions. He established Foland Insurance Agency in Orlando. Later as owner of the Village Gallery on Orange Ave., he learned to make frames and restore artwork. After his marriage to Beverly in 1982, he became co-owner of Beverly’s Bridals and ran the tuxedo side of the business. Memories that Bob cherished most included being a member of the first graduating class of helicopter pilots at Chanute Field, Illinois. He served in WWII performing helicopter search and rescue of downed pilots in the China Sea and later flying cargo between Burma and China. Bob was renowned for his story-telling ability and for his memory of a huge repertoire of jokes. He loved to act, dance and sing. He had been a member of the Orange Blossom Barbershop Chorus, the Silvertones, and the Krooners. He was an active member of Toastmasters Orlando and received numerous awards for public speaking. Born in Canastota, New York to William and Lamoine Foland, Bob was the middle son with brothers Bill and Don Foland. He enjoyed his family and will be great missed by all of them. Remembering him always are his wife Beverly, son Steve and his wife Kay; daughter Debbie Boise; stepson Bob Haw; stepson Kevan Mull and wife Cathleen; grandchildren Lisa Foland Esmond and husband Mike, Bill Foland, Ben Boise and wife Libby, Gary Haw and wife Allison, Julie Haw Hawke and husband Mark, Chance Haw, Melissa Mull Youmans and husband Micah, Wesley, Logan, Joanna, and Benjamin Mull; thirteen great-grandchildren (Haw, Hawke, Esmond, and Foland) and many nieces and nephews. The family appreciates the outstanding, loving care given to Bob by VITAS Hospice Team 1716. Their compassion and attention to Bob and his family were a special blessing. The family is planning a memorial celebration at the J. Douglas Williams YMCA, 665 Longwood Lake Mary Rd, Lake Mary, Fl 32746 on Friday, July 8, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the J. Douglas Williams YMCA or to VITAS Healthcare, 2201 Lucien Way, Suite 100, Maitland, FL 32751.