Obituary for Robert Alton "Bob" Platt
Robert Alton Platt Jr., a resident of Annapolis, MD, who recently retired to Millville, DE, passed away on February 22, 2021 at home surrounded by family after a courageous 9-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in 1944 in Norristown, PA, to the late Robert A. Platt Sr. and Mary Casselberry Platt, Bob is survived by his devoted wife of 42 years, Theano Panos Platt of Annapolis, where they lived, worked and raised their family.
Growing up, Bob’s family would spend summers in Eaglesmere, PA and return during the winter to go toboganning across the lake. At the age of 12, Bob began spending his summers working there where he was introduced to the two great influences in his life: the food industry and golf. He started working at the Eaglesmere Country Club as a dishwasher, progressed to bussing tables and cooking on the line. Later he became a server and finally was promoted to management by the time he finished college. When Bob was outside on the golf course, he caddied and learned the gentleman’s game of golf.
Bob attended the local public schools, graduating Norristown High School in 1962. He was accepted to Pacific University in Forest Grove. OR where he played football and, in 1966, received degrees in both business and psychology. He was an active member of the Alpha Zeta Fraternity which recently celebrated their 50th reunion.
After graduation, Bob accepted a position to manage Hogates, a 600-seat seafood restaurant in Washington, DC. In 1970, Bob relocated to Richmond, VA to work for the Hickory Hearth Corporation. They hired Bob to open and manage their new restaurant, the Abbey, in College Park, MD. In 1976, Bob met his future bride, and later that year became operating partner of the Apple Tree with locations in Washington, DC and Tysons Corner, VA. During that time, Bob worked his way back to College Park as an operating partner of the Abbey Restaurant which he transformed into the StrawBoss Restaurant. He also opened Sorry Charlie’s a mile away.
In 1979, Bob bought his first restaurant, Mums, in downtown Annapolis which became a local gathering place until Bob sold it 17 years later. In 1985, he took over Pirates Cove Restaurant and Marina in Galesville, MD and managed it until his semi retirement in 2015 when Bob stepped out of the restaurant but continued to manage the marina. In 1996, he opened Springhouse Restaurant in Davidsonville, MD, which Bob ran for five years until a fire destroyed the building and Bob underwent triple by-pass surgery which altered his decision to rebuild.
Bob loved the challenge of putting a place together for people to congregate, and he loved what he did. His career was his passion and he was known by many as a fair businessman who developed lasting friendships along the way.
Bob took pride in his family’s activities and the rich traditions of the Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church where he and his wife have been long-time members. Their involvement throughout the years, along with their children’s schools and sports programs, have now continued to the next generation with their only grandchild who has been Bob’s greatest joy.
His love for outdoor sports continued when time would permit, with golf, fishing, and duck hunting. And what better way to start your morning then by hopping on your boat with coffee and a briefcase in hand to head to the West River for work? That was one of the things Bob continued to enjoy on his bucket list along with two cross-country driving trips to the northwest, Canada, winter trip to Florida, train across the Rockies, Napa Valley, cruise from Frankfurt to Amsterdam, Hawaii and Greece. He also enjoyed watching every golf tournament and football showdown.
He was a man of many stories from his many ventures throughout the years; so many they could fill a book. Yet there are many stories still to be told of this one man who has quietly touched the hearts of many…. Bob Platt.
In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his children, Tiffany Platt Steigerwalt of Annapolis and Derek Alton Platt of Alma, CO; and one grandson, Liam Robert Steigerwalt of Annapolis. He is also survived by his sister, Sally Keenan (James) of Lafayette Hill, PA; three nephews, Rob, Don, and Greg Keenan and their families from the Philadelphia area; sister-in-law, Tina Veves, of Millville, DE, and brother-in-law, Michael Panos of Arnold, MD and their families.
Friends are invited to celebrate Bob’s life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Thursday, February 25, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8PM. Due to COVID restrictions, the family asks that you quickly pay your respects to allow others to enter the facility in the same fashion. A viewing will also be held at Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Rd., Annapolis, MD on Friday, February 26 from 10AM until his funeral service begins at 11 AM. A live feed will be available for those unable to attend by visiting the link HERE. Interment will follow at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may send a donation to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be offered using the Memory wall tab above.
.
Growing up, Bob’s family would spend summers in Eaglesmere, PA and return during the winter to go toboganning across the lake. At the age of 12, Bob began spending his summers working there where he was introduced to the two great influences in his life: the food industry and golf. He started working at the Eaglesmere Country Club as a dishwasher, progressed to bussing tables and cooking on the line. Later he became a server and finally was promoted to management by the time he finished college. When Bob was outside on the golf course, he caddied and learned the gentleman’s game of golf.
Bob attended the local public schools, graduating Norristown High School in 1962. He was accepted to Pacific University in Forest Grove. OR where he played football and, in 1966, received degrees in both business and psychology. He was an active member of the Alpha Zeta Fraternity which recently celebrated their 50th reunion.
After graduation, Bob accepted a position to manage Hogates, a 600-seat seafood restaurant in Washington, DC. In 1970, Bob relocated to Richmond, VA to work for the Hickory Hearth Corporation. They hired Bob to open and manage their new restaurant, the Abbey, in College Park, MD. In 1976, Bob met his future bride, and later that year became operating partner of the Apple Tree with locations in Washington, DC and Tysons Corner, VA. During that time, Bob worked his way back to College Park as an operating partner of the Abbey Restaurant which he transformed into the StrawBoss Restaurant. He also opened Sorry Charlie’s a mile away.
In 1979, Bob bought his first restaurant, Mums, in downtown Annapolis which became a local gathering place until Bob sold it 17 years later. In 1985, he took over Pirates Cove Restaurant and Marina in Galesville, MD and managed it until his semi retirement in 2015 when Bob stepped out of the restaurant but continued to manage the marina. In 1996, he opened Springhouse Restaurant in Davidsonville, MD, which Bob ran for five years until a fire destroyed the building and Bob underwent triple by-pass surgery which altered his decision to rebuild.
Bob loved the challenge of putting a place together for people to congregate, and he loved what he did. His career was his passion and he was known by many as a fair businessman who developed lasting friendships along the way.
Bob took pride in his family’s activities and the rich traditions of the Ss. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church where he and his wife have been long-time members. Their involvement throughout the years, along with their children’s schools and sports programs, have now continued to the next generation with their only grandchild who has been Bob’s greatest joy.
His love for outdoor sports continued when time would permit, with golf, fishing, and duck hunting. And what better way to start your morning then by hopping on your boat with coffee and a briefcase in hand to head to the West River for work? That was one of the things Bob continued to enjoy on his bucket list along with two cross-country driving trips to the northwest, Canada, winter trip to Florida, train across the Rockies, Napa Valley, cruise from Frankfurt to Amsterdam, Hawaii and Greece. He also enjoyed watching every golf tournament and football showdown.
He was a man of many stories from his many ventures throughout the years; so many they could fill a book. Yet there are many stories still to be told of this one man who has quietly touched the hearts of many…. Bob Platt.
In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his children, Tiffany Platt Steigerwalt of Annapolis and Derek Alton Platt of Alma, CO; and one grandson, Liam Robert Steigerwalt of Annapolis. He is also survived by his sister, Sally Keenan (James) of Lafayette Hill, PA; three nephews, Rob, Don, and Greg Keenan and their families from the Philadelphia area; sister-in-law, Tina Veves, of Millville, DE, and brother-in-law, Michael Panos of Arnold, MD and their families.
Friends are invited to celebrate Bob’s life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Thursday, February 25, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8PM. Due to COVID restrictions, the family asks that you quickly pay your respects to allow others to enter the facility in the same fashion. A viewing will also be held at Ss. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Rd., Annapolis, MD on Friday, February 26 from 10AM until his funeral service begins at 11 AM. A live feed will be available for those unable to attend by visiting the link HERE. Interment will follow at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, you may send a donation to a charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be offered using the Memory wall tab above.
.