Ireland, Robert W. 'Bob' Sep. 16, 1921 - Dec. 11, 2015 Robert Wanton Ireland was born on Sep. 16, 1921 in Washington D.C. He passed away on Dec. 11, 2015. His parents were Hans W. Ireland and Ruth S. Ireland. He was predeceased by his with Ruth, and his daughter, Rebecca. He was a resident of Sarasota since 1953, moving from Bethesda, MD. Bob attended the University of Maryland at College Park, MD, graduation in 1943 with a B.S. in psychology. While in college he became a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He did graduate work in Personnel Administration at American University 1946-1947. Bob received special training at the United Sates Army Intelligence School at Fort Holibird, MD. He completed the US Army OCS infantry School at Fort Benning, GA in 1944 and was then transferred to the US Army Air Corps. He served with the Western Flying Training Command at Las Vegas Army Air Field in Las Vegas, NV. Upon completing his military service he was employed by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey in Washington D.C. as director of personnel and security. The USC & GS was heavily involved in the development of the ICBM Guidance System which was 'top secret' Department of Defense program. Bob and family next moved to Sarasota in 1953 where he was employed by EMR Telemetry as manager of security and administrative services. EMR was the primary contractor to provide the on-board and ground telemetry for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space crafts. It was designated a 'secret' Department of Defense program. Bob was responsible for developing, implementing, and administering a dynamic industrial security program; consult with and advise staff and line management on all phases of the DOD and EMR security programs. EMR received the prestigious DOD James S. Cogswell Certificate of Excellence in 1968 in recognition of EMR's outstanding Industrial Security Program as established and administered by Bob. Bob was next employed by First Federal Savings and Loan in Sarasota as a manager of Administrative Services and Security. Due to many bank mergers, Bob retired from Barnett Bank in December of 1988 as VP of Security/ Risk Management. He attended the First United Methodist Church since 1954. He served on the official board and was a long time usher. He was involved in many other church related activities during his years of membership. Bob loved all animals, especially his two horses, Spark and Dusty, and his black lab Sam, who was his constant companion. Bob was very active with his volunteer activities. He was a longtime volunteer at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and also at SRZ Airport as an ambassador. He was also a longtime volunteer with the Suncoast Therapeutic Equestrian Program where he served on the board of directors. He also served on the Sarasota County Building Code Board of Adjustments and Appeals and as the chairman. There were many other shared activities with his wife Ruth. They enjoyed traveling and had many wonderful trips, having visited over 35 countries and 5 continents, plus many island in the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas. Bob and Ruth were married over 71 years and were sweethearts for 4 years in college. Bob is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Ireland Braselton and husband, Bill, his grandsons, Jeffrey DuBois, Matthew Braselton, Christopher Braselton and wife, Julie; his granddaughter, Jennifer Edwards and husband, Ronnie; great grandchildren, Allena Dubois and Marina Edwards and nieces, Meg Mitchell, Patricia Thomas, Paddy Davis, Barbara Shilg, Eileen Kunze and nephew, Bill Thomas. The family will hold a private memorial service with inurnment at Sarasota Memorial Park. Memorial donations in Bob's memory may be made to The Florida Children's Home, PO Box 6299, Deltona, FL 32728 or the Humane Society of Sarasota County, 2331 15th St, Sarasota, FL 34237. Condolences may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com.