Dr. Robert L. Porter Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Dr. Robert “Bob” Porter, age 60, passed away on March 21, 2019, after fighting as hard as he could against a sudden cardiac and respiratory illness. Bob was born on June 17, 1958, in Clinton, South Carolina. He moved to Howey-in-the-Hills as a child and lived in Lake County for the majority of his life. Bob was raised on E. Magnolia Ave. by his mother Joanne Holland and his grandparents Harriet and Kenneth Porter. At the age of nine, Bob developed osteomyelitis in his left hip that restricted his ability to walk. He lived at the Harry Anna Crippled Children’s Home in Umatilla for a full year as doctors treated his infection. Bob was told that he would never walk again, but he used that as motivation to get well. He would practice walking at night and eventually showed the doctors and his family that he could in fact walk again. Soon after his release from Harry Anna, Bob’s mother was tragically killed in an auto accident, and he was raised by his grandmother. Bob graduated from Tavares High School in 1976 where he enjoyed playing tennis and singing in various choral groups. His dream had always been to follow his grandfather’s footsteps as a graduate of the Naval Academy. He received a Presidential Appointment, but on his last physical exam was told that his childhood hip injury prohibited him from being accepted. Bob then attended UCF and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was selected to enter the Manufacturing Management Program at General Electric Company, which resulted in moves to jobs in New Jersey and Virginia as an Automation and Design Engineer. During this time Bob was responsible for automating several GE manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Singapore. Bob worked for NCR/AT&T from 1985-1993 in Lake Mary as the Director of Manufacturing and Automation Design. During this time Bob earned his Executive MBA from Rollins College in 1990 and graduated top of his class. He was also awarded the Class Leader/Scholar by the faculty. In 1997 Bob started his own consulting company called Management Insights, Inc., and then became a founding director and Chief Operating Officer at Florida Choice Bank from 2001-2006. Bob completed a Ph.D. in Management from UCF in 2010 and was then honored to be a Graduate Faculty Scholar at UCF allowing him to lecture on the undergraduate, graduate, and executive level. Bob played a key role in the Capstone course for undergraduate seniors, and his innovations in that course continue today. Bob’s research interests included innovation and creativity, CEOs and Boards, and negotiations. During his time teaching, Bob focused on business strategy, conflict management, and organizational theory. Bob became the Executive Director of the UCF Executive Development Center in downtown Orlando and absolutely loved working with professional and executive MBA students in courses and workshops. Bob’s last year of work included serving as the Executive Director of Economic Development and Strategic Initiatives for Osceola County and most recently as the President and CEO of Florida Virtual Schools. Bob devoted his career to improving companies as an engineer, manager, consultant, and teacher. He loved helping others find their “sweet spot” in life at the intersection of three things: what you do really well, what you really enjoy (your passion), and what others really appreciate you for. Bob met Terry Thompson of Eustis in 1979 through mutual friends and they were married on August 2, 1980. Daughter Alicia was born in 1984 while they lived in Virginia, so Bob and Terry returned to Lake County to be closer to family. Michael was born in 1986, and John in 1992, completing the Porter family. The family lived on Lake Joanna and enjoyed time on the lake swimming, boating, and water skiing. Bob always supported Terry in her position as a piano teacher and homemaker, and he encouraged his children to do their best and to follow their passions in education and life. Bob’s hobbies included cycling, reading, listening to music, and watching Star Trek. He rode his bicycle almost every Saturday morning, usually with a group of “crazies” from the We Must Be Crazy Bike Club. Bob was giving of his time and knowledge when it came to helping other cyclists train and fix their bikes. He could often be found in his “workshop” tightening gears, changing tires, or building a new frame. Bob also loved motorcycles and spent many years riding and collecting different kinds. Bob loved reading and learning. His home office was always filled with books, and he often gave books to his friends at Christmas with personalized notes in the front covers. He enjoyed listening to music and NPR. On Saturday afternoons, the house would be filled with the News from Lake Wobegon and Prairie Home Companion. Bob played the guitar and would often play or listen to guitar music as a way to relax. He passed on his love for reading and music to his children and many others in his life. Bob was also known as a “Trekkie” because of his love for all things Star Trek. His passion for space and science fiction is also something that he instilled in his children and grandchildren. Bob is also fondly remembered for his ministry in Lake County that spans decades. He began working in youth ministry at First United Methodist Church in Tavares in 1979 and continued while living in Virginia. Bob and Terry led shepherding groups, taught college and career Sunday school classes, and held many other ministry roles at Trinity Church in Eustis. Bob served on the board at Trinity for years and also invested his time and knowledge into what was best for the church. His legacy as a teacher and mentor will live on through the lives of everyone that he impacted. Bob is survived by his wife of 38 years Terry, his daughter Alicia (Russell) Clayton, and his sons Michael and John (Taylor). He was the grandfather to four precious girls Emily & Elizabeth Clayton and Marlee & Maddie Porter. He is also survived by his father Dr. Davis (Ellen) Holland and many other family members who loved Bob dearly. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Dr. Bob Porter scholarship fund in Bob’s memory so that his passion for business, teaching, and learning can live on! https://www.ucffoundation.org/porter. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 25, at Trinity Church (890 Abrams Rd., Eustis, FL 32726). Condolences, memories and photos may be shared on the tribute wall.

Dr. Robert L. Porter

June 17, 1958 - March 21, 2019

Obituary & Service

Photos & Videos

Family Tree