Robert Henry Flathman

On July 18,2021 Robert “Bob” H. Flathman, of Cheswold, DE (formerly of Kent Island and Maryland City, MD) passed away at the age of 85.  Devoted husband of 58 years to Patricia Flathman (formerly Birrane) and beloved father to 3 children, Robert H. Flathman, Jr., Mary Elizabeth Donelan and Mark Flathman, as well as Pop Pop to 8 grandchildren.

Bob was born in Baltimore, MD on August, 10, 1935 and lived in and around Baltimore all his life.  He grew up in Baltimore City and ultimately moved to, and helped develop, Maryland City, MD.   That is where he started his first business as he was an entrepreneur at heart. He started and owned RH Flathman, Inc, a commercial concrete company, and The Eagle’s Nest, a restaurant and bar in Lewes, DE.  Later in life when Bob wanted to slow down into his 60’s, he continued to work as a foreman at Steel Building Specialists managing projects throughout Maryland.  Once work was no longer satisfying and Bob had moved to DE, he picked up an eye for photography and spent many hours, week over week, capturing photos of wildlife at the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge.  Many of the shots he captured were just extraordinary.

He enjoyed adventuring, whether that was fishing from one of the many boats he owned over the years, As part of the Shillelagh’s Flying Club, taking a long car ride to an unplanned destination or finding a new diner to drop in and meet the locals.  He always said, “I just want to see what’s at the end of the road.”  Bob loved John Wayne movies and often personified some of The Dukes' gruff, rough and tumble ways, but under that exterior was a caring, compassionate, and unendingly genuine person that befriended everyone he met.

Bob will be sorely missed by those who knew him but will never be forgotten.  Souls like his are simply starting another trip to see what is at the end of the road.