Beloved Norfolk Rotarian and Past President (1997-1998) Bob Latimer passed away Saturday, August 15 after a lengthy fight against cancer. He will long be remembered for his friendly smile, his love of his fellow human beings, and his quiet leadership. He was an icon of our club.
He will also be remembered for his Bob's Hot Dog Day. In a visit to a physician many years ago, he was told that he should not eat one of his favorite foods — hot dogs. Negotiating with the physician so he could enjoy a hot dog one day a year began the tradition of Bob’s Hot Dog Day. Held at Doug’s Hot Dogs in Ocean View, Bob’s friends including Rotarians, sailors and neighbors gather to enjoy friendship as well as a hot dog paid on Bob's tab. Bob (right) is pictured above with Past District Governor John Padgett.
A Norfolk native, Bob was in the first four-year class at the Colleges of William & Mary and VPI, Norfolk Division, which is now known as ODU. He was the class vice president and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Monarchs. It wasn't unusual for Bob to celebrate ODU accomplishments in the classroom or in sporting events with a "Go Monarchs!"
After college, Bob began a career in education as a teacher and then an administrator of the adult education programs for the City of Norfolk.
Bob also handcrafted beautiful wooden clocks. He discovered his love of wood and woodworking at a young age. His first project was a rudimentary model airplane he crafted by nailing together two 2 x 4s. From there, it was on to other models and crafting furniture. One day Bob saw an ad in a woodworking magazine for a clock movement. After ordering the mechanism and building a cabinet for it, Bob’s focus became building clocks. He has built over 300 clocks, including ones given to outgoing presidents of our club.
Bob's family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Norfolk Rotary Charities, 414 W. Bute St., Norfolk, VA 23510. You can also donate here: https://bit.ly/2Y5KJTa