Robert S. “Bob” Phelps, 83, of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Riverside, CT, took his final voyage on December 25, 2022. His lifelong love of sailing began when he was a boy sailing C-Scows on Iowa lakes, eventually adding 12 Bermuda Races to his sailing resume, as well as decades sailing on Long Island Sound. He owned several boats over the years, including Sock It To Me, Wiki Wiki, Bon Bateau, Incahoots, and lastly an R/C model boat Orca. He was a current member of Riverside Yacht Club, Riverside, CT, and a former member of the New York Yacht Club and Bird Key Yacht Club, Sarasota, FL. In retirement in Sarasota, he raced trimarans on Sarasota Bay, and was a member of the Sarasota Model Yacht Club and the First Congregational UCC.
Bob was born in 1939 in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Virginia S. and Paul B. Phelps. He graduated in 1956 from Sprit Lake, IA High School and attended the University of Iowa, from which he graduated in 1961. He married his college sweetheart, Sandra Boeke Phelps, the same year, and enjoyed 61 years of love and laughter.
Bob was blessed with a keen sense of humor and liked nothing better than a good joke or story. During his university years his work as a DJ made the most of his gift of gab and wide-ranging love of music. Bob’s volunteer work at the Ringling Museum as a tram driver made great use of both, and his many friends looked forward to his memorable annual Christmas CDs.
His 23-year career in publishing began in Des Moines, Iowa, with the Meredith Corporation and lead to executive positions in sales and advertising in Los Angeles and New York City, initially with Better Homes & Gardens, followed by Metropolitan Home (formerly Apartment Life) and Bon Appetit, of which he was publisher from 1983 to 1990. From 1991 to 2006 he owned an Alphagraphics franchise in Westport, CT.
In addition to his wife, Sandy, of 61 years, Bob is survived by his son Robert S. Phelps, Jr. (Jeanette); brothers Jim (Jude), Jerry (Linda), Bill (Sally) and many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to pass along a joke to a friend, or contribute to the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life in CT will be held in the spring.
