THE DELAND BEACON
DeLand, Florida
April 24, 2008

Robert David ‘Bob’ Bolin

DELAND — Robert David “Bob” Bolin, 72, of West Minnesota Avenue, died April 21, 2008, at his home. A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. today, Thursday, April 24, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 306 W. Wisconsin Ave. in DeLand.

Born in Seville, Mr. Bolin retired in 2005 from the Volusia County Property Appraiser’s Office after 47 years, serving in nearly every position in the office. It has been said one of his chief contributions was his capacity to help all employees do their jobs more effectively.

He graduated in 1953 from Seville High School, and attended the University of Florida.

Mr. Bolin was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church since the 1960s, serving in a wide range of roles ranging from youth counselor to chairman of trustees, and from lay member of the Annual Conference to president of the men’s group. Since retirement, he especially enjoyed working with the Walk-In Ministry, where he assisted those in need of practical and financial help.

He played recreational volleyball and church softball, rode his custom bicycle all around DeLand, and enjoyed feeding squirrels from his porch rocking chair, collecting citrus memorabilia, pocketknives and golf balls, and traveling with his wife, whether for business events, to see out-of-town children and grandchildren, or to attend the annual Bolin/Boyleston reunion.

Mr. Bolin volunteered for many years at the Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts in Barberville, particularly providing overnight security at the annual Jamboree. He was a member of the Lions Club and the Seville Cemetery Association. It has been said through the years he offered hospitality to those in need. His signature gift was calm and respite, and a sense of stability and security. His personal generosity extended to donating more than 5 gallons of blood.

He served in the U.S. Army, where he played football for the Camp Zama Rangers in Japan.

Mr. Bolin is survived by his wife, Harriet; two children, Leslye Bolin Erickson and her husband, Aubrey, and Randy; two stepdaughters, Beth Fogle-Miller and her husband, Jim, and Kathy Hart and her husband, Dan; two brothers, Junius and his wife, Libby, and Elliot and his wife, Louise; his grandchildren, Jenny, Katie, Sara, Nathanael, Carlene, Chase, Kristen and Jason, who knew him as “Granky”; and a wide network of extended family and friends.

Memorial donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Walk-In Ministry, 306 W. Wisconsin Ave., DeLand, FL 32720. Allen-Summerhill was in charge.