Robert William Walton
June 9 marked an end to a life well-lived by a man well-loved, as Robert “Rob” William Walton, age 74, succumbed to his brave struggle with Parkinson’s Disease. His family was able to say goodbyes the previous day, and Rob died peacefully that morning, free at last of the disease’s horrific weight.
Born March 13, 1951, in Richmond, Virginia, to William and Mary Walton, Rob lived most of his life in Florida. He attended Manatee Technical School in Bradenton and later moved to Captiva Island, where he worked as a restaurant captain at South Seas Resort. He continued working in the hospitality industry until he started his own landscape and yard maintenance business on Sanibel Island, Grounds by Green Ways, Inc. His customers knew him as an honest, dependable, hard-working, and affable friend.
In 1981, Rob met Chelle Koster, and their love culminated in a beach wedding on July 7, 1984. Through their 40 years of marriage, they traveled the world from Canada and Jamaica to New Zealand, Iceland, and Croatia. Chelle is a freelance travel writer and Rob always loved to joke regarding their travels, “She’s the freelancer and I’m the freeloader.” Both Pisces, they shared a love of the sea.
Their travels continued after the birth of their dearly loved son, Aaron, in 1990. Rob was an avid surfer, and, taught by his loving father, Aaron took up the passion, leading to many family trips to Florida’s East Coast and once to Costa Rica.
Aaron married Laura Escoto in 2021. They live in their home in Fort Myers. Aaron currently works as Operations Manager at the SanCap Chamber of Commerce.
In May 2022, the “Florida Waltons” (as their Virginia family came to call them) celebrated the ultimate gift of joy with the birth of Layla June to Aaron and Laura. She brought golden sunshine, love, and pure laughter to Rob’s final years. Rob retired from his business after Hurricane Ian destroyed much of its equipment and office, and his own health declined. He and his family continued traveling, mostly by road trip to visit family and the hundreds of people Robert touched with his loyal friendship, kindness, sense of humor, and love of fun.
Rob’s parents preceded him in death. His wife, Chelle Koster Walton, and two brothers, Joel (Julie) Walton and Gary Walton, survive him, along with his son Aaron (Laura) and granddaughter, Layla Walton. Rob also stayed very close to his nephews throughout his adulthood: Matthew Walton, Parker Walton, Philip (Stephanie) Walton, and Alec Walton, along with grandnephews Declan, Thatcher, and Levi.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials in Robert’s name be made to the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society (https://dingdarlingsociety.org/) or Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/). The family is planning a celebration of Robert’s life at a date to be announced in the future.