Obituary of Robert Benz Workman
Robert Benz Workman (November 29, 1944—January 10, 2024) is survived by his wife, Vivienne Rae Workman of Venice, Florida, his daughters, Emily & Julie, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and his sister, Susan Hanaburgh. Bob and his wife of thirty-seven years moved to Venice from Austin, Texas in 2014, after living, working, and raising their daughters in Central New York for over thirty years.
Bob was born in Oswego, NY and enjoyed wonderful family gatherings where his mom & dad sang and played piano, and he and his family and friends enjoyed running free in the meadows of Upstate New York and digging out of one-story snowdrifts. Bob served in the United States Air Force from 1964-1968 as a flight simulator trainer, and enjoyed flying and exploring during his time away from base. He put himself through Syracuse University (B.A. English) after the Air Force. Bob was a talented creative writer and guitar-picker, and later became a professional photographer, entrepreneur, publication designer and technical writer for Bristol-Meyers and several other companies. He has continued his love of cars, driving, photography and music. Bob’s photography has taken him from capturing a snowstorm from a plane in Alaska to the top of a lighthouse-keeper’s roof in Pemaquid Point, Maine.
Friends and family will remember Bob as a gentle, kind, loving man with a wonderful sense of humor; a talent for word-smithery and puns; a love of animals; a fascination with weather and geological history; a devotion to preservation of family history, memorabilia, and photos; and a mechanic able to engineer and repair anything. He spent the last several years enjoying time with his grandchildren and guiding them.
Bob will be dearly missed on earth, but we will continue to ask for his guidance from the heavens.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at Sarasota National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tidewell Hospice, Inc. of 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34238. Farley Funeral Home of Venice is handling the arrangements. To send a condolence or memory please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.
