Robert Drake

Robert Edward Drake was born on April 19, 1938, and passed peacefully from this life into life eternal on January 11, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Bob was born in Kansas City, MO to Will and Helen Drake, and was raised there along with his younger brother, Bill. After high school, Bob was accepted to GMI (now Kettering) to pursue his degree in Mechanical Engineering. After working a short time at the GM plant in Kansas City, Bob received a very special honor. He was selected as the only GM employee that year to receive the prestigious Sloan Fellowship. This meant he was sent to Stanford University for a year, where he graduated with an MBA in Business. After working at the GM facility in Fremont, CA for several years, he was transferred to help start the new GM plant in Oklahoma City. He was then promoted back to GM Headquarters in Detroit. After two years, Nissan came calling, wanting him to help with the building and startup of their new plant in Smyrna, TN. He was there 10 years, before deciding on an early retirement to accept a position as President of Plumley, Inc., in Paris, TN. After several years, Bob decided to move out on his own. In 1993, he and his wife, Tena, opened a franchise for Remedy Intelligent Staffing in Jacksonville, FL. With work and perseverance, they had three successful offices when they sold the business in 2005. Bob loved fishing, boating, football, baseball, and golf. Most of all, he loved his family and spending time around the swimming pool, grilling and having fun with his grandkids. Bob leaves a legacy of kindness and caring which will live on in the lives of all who knew him.
Bob is predeceased by his parents, his brother, Bill, and his stepdaughter, Cathy. He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Tena; his daughter Diane (Brian) Rose; son Mark (Linda) Drake; five grandchildren: Carter, Taylor, Nicole, Michael and Chelsea, niece Sherri, nephew Scott and their families, and a large circle of devoted friends.
A Memorial Celebration of Bob’s Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 22, 2018, at The Village Church at WGV, 4229 Pacetti Road, St Augustine, FL. All who knew and cared for Bob are invited to come and share their good memories.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in honor of Bob’s memory to the Shriners Hospitals For Children, 12502 USF Pine Drive, Tampa FL 33612, or to the charity of your choice.