Memorial Wall of Honor - Bob Banks

Robert Kevin "Bob" Banks

March 24, 1959 – March 12, 2025

Born March 24, 1959, in Belle Glade, Florida, Bob was a “muck baby,” as children birthed near Lake Okeechobee were called, and he seemed to have the black soil of that region running in his blood. Bob was a Florida Cracker first and an American second, who delighted in tracing his roots back through the Bumby family to the 19th century pioneer days of Orange County, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal and Meat Sciences. He was employed as a Senior Biological Scientist at the UF’s College of Medicine Gastroenterology Department. He then taught agriculture at Evans High School in Orlando for several years before beginning a nearly 25-year career developing and managing multiple research facilities, including a transgenic greenhouse at the University of Central Florida.

Bob was involved with AALAS and FAALAS since 2003. He served as co-chair in District IV meeting in Melbourne, FAALAS President, Newsletter editor, and Counselor at Large, in addition to assisting in FAALAS and LAMA planning meetings and presenting at AALAS, FAALAS, and LAMA meetings.

Bob died on March 12, 2025 and is survived by his wife, Emily, daughter Jennifer Banks, son Bo (Nikki) Banks, brother Buck Banks, sisters Robbin Brophy and René Fields; stepchildren Chad (Angela) Johnson; Robyn (Barry) Keys; Graham (Carla) Johnson; grandchildren Jaylee Atwater and Christopher Pyburn; Tyler, Quin and Bryden Johnson; Maddilyn Johnson Carlton; Garrett and Darien Keys; Chloe, Griffin, and Jake Johnson; and great-grandson Samuel Johnson.

Give in memory of Bob Banks and keep his passion alive through the AALAS Foundation.

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