Robert (Bob) James Landrum Jr., successful executive
Robert (Bob) James Landrum Jr., 81, previously of Wilmington and Rehoboth, died peacefully at his Wilmington, N.C., home surrounded by his loving family Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. For over five years he courageously battled lung cancer and later dementia.
Bob was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 8, 1940, the oldest of three children to the late R. James Sr. and Eileen Landrum.
He graduated from P. S. DuPont High School in 1958 and went on to obtain a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the University of Delaware in 1965.
Bob had a long professional career in sales and management in the health insurance industry before retiring from BCBS of Tennessee in 2000. During his career he obtained numerous professional designations including CLU from The American College of Life Underwriters; CHC from the BCBS Assoc.; and RHU and REBC from the National Assoc. of Health Underwriters. In addition, Bob was a board member of the New Castle County Association of Life Underwriters. Bob also served as president of the Delaware Chapter of the General Agents and Managers Assoc.
In his spare time Bob enjoyed many activities such as hunting, fishing, photography and golf. Later in life he became a collector of antique clocks. That grew to over 35+ which brought endless jokes and laughter from his family at Daylight Saving Time, that he took in stride. However, his true passion throughout his life was for classic Ford Mustangs. Maintaining them was always a great source of pride. His favorite was a pristinely restored 1966 maroon convertible which he drove whenever there was a sunny day.
Another passion Bob had was for love of this country. He often expressed concern for the direction it was headed.
Bob was a devoted and loving husband who will be dearly missed by his wife of 58 years, Carol. Bob is also survived by his two children and their families, Robert Dallas and his children Emily and Paige of Haddonfield, N.J., and Leslie Borst (Mark) and their children Alexis, Ashlee and Aiden of Wilmington; in addition, his loving and devoted sisters Shereth Coble (Yank) of Jacksonville Fla., and Deborah Yaccarino (Steven) of Vero Beach Fla.; and will be deeply missed by numerous nieces and nephews.
A quote Bob thought would be appropriate at the time of his passing was the following:
“I dreamed last night I died. . . . I wasn't afraid and I felt no pain. . . . Don't be sad for me. My only sadness is my family will be sad for me. Just know that all is right and is as it should be. I am happ.”
A celebration of life will be held this spring with private burial services to follow at Gracelawn Memorial Park, New Castle.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Bob’s name to the following: The Tunnel to Towers Foundation at https://t2t.org/ by selecting "Donate Now" then select your choice of donation and remember to select "Dedicate my donation in memory of someone" upon placing the donation; or Lower Cape Fear LifeCare at https://lifecare.org/donate.
For condolences, please see online guest book at https://www.coastalcremationsnc.com/obituaries/.
