With profound sadness the Leclaire family announces the passing of Robert George Leclaire on April 3, 2023 from a lengthy illness.
Bob was born on July 1, 1947 in Philadelphia to Louise and George Leclaire, the second of five siblings. Early life was nomadic, as Bob’s father was a navy officer whose postings included California, Hawaii, Virginia, and Florida. Bob graduated from Frank Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the United States Marines after graduation. He was extremely proud of his service in Vietnam, and kept in touch with his fellow veterans up until the present time. Following his military service, Bob attended Orlando Junior College and Florida Technical College, now UCF, where he made life-long friends. He majored in art and later received a Master’s Degree in Education. For thirty years he taught art in the Orange County Public Schools, was an assistant administrator, and finished his career as an area administrator in charge of discipline.
Bob was a man of many and varied interests who possessed boundless creativity and energy. His acrylic paintings reflected his personality—full of color and motion; his sculptures were works of sparkle and whimsy. Bob loved to be on the water as an avid boater and expert fisherman; he relished the time spent at a second home on the St. John’s River where he was able to indulge all of these passions. Bob’s creativity extended right into the kitchen. An extraordinary cook, he loved preparing food, and was the host at many memorable holiday dinners. No one ever refused an invitation to Bob’s table. He enjoyed travel with his family to favorite places such as Nags Head, Maggie Valley, Canada, Jackson Hole, France, and Bali. In later years Bob was a faithful member of Alcoholics Anonymous, where it gave him much personal satisfaction to be a sponsor. Above all, Bob was a family man who brought to each of his roles as husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend the same energy and devotion that he brought to every aspect of his life.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Robbie Recher; his brothers Tom and Peter; his sister Sue Pritchett; his brother-in-law William Pritchett; and his brother-in-law Charles Recher. He leaves behind Nancy, his treasured wife of 25 years; his brother Chris (Dede); daughters Nicole Benson and Wendy Bradford (Cam); stepdaughters Abby Beckel (Jay) and Katie Dunagan (Andy); grandchildren Addison and Isabella Bradford and Baylen and Charlotte Benson; step-grandchildren Colton and Quinn Dunagan and Sydney Schwarz.