Robert Salas

Bob Salas

November 3, 1956 — January 20, 2026

Robert Wayne Salas (Bob) of Old Town, Fl, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, and friend passed away holding his wife’s and son’s hands on January 20, 2026 at North Florida Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. He was 69 years old. Bob was a wonderful soul who had a beautiful laugh and bright smile, a ton of love in his heart, and a big hug for everyone he knew.

Bob was born on November 3rd, 1956, in Philadelphia, PA, to Eustorgio and Jane Salas. He was the fourth of five children and was raised with strong values of family, faith, goodwill, compassion, and service that he personified throughout his life. He moved with his family to Florida in 1961 and he has lived here since.

He was a devoted and ardent Scouter beginning in 1976. He served in many roles and capacities at the pack, troop, district, lodge, council, and national levels. He led and served on staff for many District Roundtables, Universities of Scouting, JLTCs, and Wood Badge courses as well as serving on the National Camping Council, National Boy Scout Handbook Commitee, as a Wood Badge Course Director, NOAC contingent leader, National Scout Jamboree Troop Leader and staff member as well as a contingent leader and course director at Philmont. He was a Vigil member of the Tipisa Lodge Order of the Arrow and received the Silver Beaver Award. He believed no role and responsibility to be more important or sacred than making a difference in the lives of young people.

His career was spent working in Orlando in heavy equipment beginning as a mechanic and then shop director at Hood Tractor Co and Hertz Heavy Equipment before switching to commercial and OTR tires at Miller Brothers Giant Tire working at both the Orlando and Ocala locations. Later in life he cooked and helped run Gail’s Cafe in Old Town, FL owned by his beloved wife while also working as a substitute teacher, substitute cafeteria worker, and school bus driver for Dixie County Schools. He retired as a school bus driver in 2023.

He was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joining in 1993 and was a leader in the South Lake branch, Clermont ward, Bushnell branch, Orlando Stake, Dixie County branch, and Suwanee River Ward where he spent many years serving in various callings. His favorite callings were working with the church youth and supporting, teaching, and guiding his fellow members.

Bob was an amazing cook known for his BBQ, fried venison, fried fish, garbage can taco salad, chili, and cornbread but he could make anything taste great. He poured his heart and love into making food for others and he loved making friends by his grill or the campfire where he was cooking and around the table over food and conversation. His love of cooking started in the kitchen learning to cook with his Mama Jane and Grandmother Margaretta and he was a long time caterer with his friend and business partner Joe Miler in Joe Mama’s Kountry Katering. He competed in bbq competitions locally, at the county, and state levels cooking, grilling, and smoking for small events and large ones up to 7,000 people. He also cooked for many family, scouting, church, charity, and community events including multiple years of Orlando Stake Young Womens camps, two summers of Camp Anderson Bible Camp, and the annual Dixie County branch Beast Feast. He was also a skilled artist in drawing and sculpting and owned his own graphic design business for many years. He lent his artistic talents to creating the logos and designs for many scouting patches and t-shirts, the South Lake High School Marching Band, and the 90’s redesign blueprints for Camp La-No-Che.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Eustorgio (Alma) Sosa Salas and Jane (Harry) Christine Thompson Salas Truex; his wives: Mary Jean Meguiar Salas, Christine Lake Joseph Salas, Theresa Gail Randolph Rigby Salas; daughter Christina Marie Salas; Sister Jane Ceail Truex Wilson; great great niece Cali Grace Gervais as well as his grandparents, many aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters-in-law, cousins, and friends. He is survived by his wife Nelda Gayle Ryan of Old Town, children: Melissa (Dinnis) Loyd, Susan Lorente, Walter (Stephanie) Loyd, J.r., Rob (Patrick) Salas, Tony (Kendra) Joseph, Autumn Rigby Carlisle, Stewart (Mindy) Joseph, John (Sarah) Rigby; grandchildren: Zoey (Matt) Sweet Brookins, Brent (Lexi) Carlisle, Emma Joseph, Veronica Rigby, Abbygail (James) Carlisle Dull, William Rigby, Lily Joseph, Jeremy Joseph, Cara Joseph, Rider Joseph; great granddaughters: Julianne Brookins, Oakley Brookins, Giavonna Carlisle, Reagan Carlisle; siblings: Ed (Rita) Salas, Seferina (Jeff) Salas Williams Cook, John (Angie) Salas, beloved cousins like siblings: David (Cathie) Doty and Margaretta Stokes; siblings-in-law: Janet Hubbard, Ann Randolph Keen, Darrell (Sue) Cockcroft, Jean (David) Randolph Tittsworth,

Ann (Ray) Randolph Graber, Gene (Rhonda) Randolph, Vi (Ralph) Randolph Wessel; uncles Joe (Eleanor) Thompson, Bob (Teri) Cockcroft; nieces and nephews: Eddie Salas, Chris Salas, Jake (Michelle) Romeo, Adria (Alex) Salas Moreira, Becca Williams Adams; great nieces and nephews: Marissa Morgan Gorai, Nick Fowler-Salas, Breanna Salas, Ava Adams; great great nephew Zhaire Richard, many beloved cousins, and many, many dearly loved nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins through his marriage to his wife Gail.

There will be two celebrations of life, each followed by a luncheon for attendees. Please attend the celebration most convenient for you. The family requests everyone please wear bright colors and bring a side dish or dessert to share if you’re able. For questions about the memorials or if you’d like to send pictures or memories please email bobsalasmemorial@proton.me

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no burial or internment, Bob’s ashes will be spread by his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to Camp La-No-Che

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