Robert Eugene Floto, 83, passed away on 9 December 2023 at St. Alphonsus Hospital in Boise, ID after a short illness.
Bob was born on 3 Sep 1940 in Marshalltown, IA, to Vern Eugene and Phyllis Georgine (Crabtree) Floto. His birth was eagerly awaited, and he broke the county hospital record for largest baby, weighing 12.5 lbs. His early childhood was idyllic to say the least, living in Ankeny, IA with his parents and older sister Bette. Little Bobby was much adored and doted on by his loving mother. However, when Bob was 5, the family lost little Bette to illness and Bob was without his favorite playmate. In 1949, his parents adopted his sister Linda and their family was complete.
Bob was very active in Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout at age 14. He was selected to attend both National and International Jamborees. Later in life, he was presented the Silver Beaver award, an honor given to very few in Scouting. He also enjoyed every kind of sport, receiving 12 letters in high school in 4 sports: track, baseball, basketball, and football. He was elected class president as well, graduating from Ankeny High School in 1958.
He received a football scholarship to Drake University where he studied Pharmacy. On 21 Nov 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Catherine Kay Higginbottom. They were joined by their first son, Randal, the next year. After graduation in 1962, Bob and Cathy moved to the San Diego area and were quickly joined by their 2 nd son, Charles. In the 1970s, they added daughters Sara, Carrie, and Amy to the family.
At age 23, Bob bought his first pharmacy in Chula Vista, CA and over the span of his 57 year career he owned a total of 4 stores, and started up an additional two. He was an honorable businessman and much respected for his hard work and dedication to his customers, even serving on the Chula Vista Planning Commission for a number of years as well as President of the local Rotary Club.
In 1971, Bob and his family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the Gospel with all his heart, and held many callings over the years, including Stake President, Bishop, Mission President for the state of Indiana, 1 st Counselor in the Boise Idaho Temple Presidency, Temple Sealer, and Patriarch. All those who came in contact with him knew of the love he had for his Savior, and respected his dedication to service.
He had many hobbies, most notably jogging and later in life he turned to golf. He was well-known at the course he lived on for his determination to play, no matter the weather or conditions, even playing up until the week before he passed away. He even had 3 holes-in-one. He was also known to collect golf balls, accumulating 10s of thousands over the years, occasionally selling or trading them.
Bob slowed down in his later years but only due to some chronic pain and Parkinson ’ s disease. Even then, his strong spirit never wavered. He will be dearly missed by his 5 children Randy Floto (LaNae), Chuck Floto (Linda), Sara Sturges (Joe), Carrie Paternoster (Ryan), and Amy Floto. He also had 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his 2 sisters Bette Camilla Floto and Linda Laurie (Floto) Lowe, and his loving eternal companion, Catherine Kay (Higginbottom) Floto, who passed in 2022.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Bowman Funeral Parlor located at 10254 W. Carlton Bay Garden City, Idaho. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 ar 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 6375 Royal Park Ave. Boise, Idaho with a Visitation held one hour prior to the service. A committal service will conclude at Dry Creek Cemetery.
To watch the service, please visit: https://vimeo.com/899375544?share=copy