Obituary of Robert Shultz Flannigan

Robert Shultz Flannigan III, affectionately known as either “Bob” or “Jelly,” passed away on Friday November 15^th after a long illness.  He was 79 years old. 

There was nobody quite like Bob. He had unique phrases and ways of explaining how things worked, especially when there was math involved. He was the life of the party and loved solving problems, sometimes for people he just met. His favorite advice was “It’s not what you make, it’s what you keep” and “You never know another man’s deal.” He enjoyed making a huge mess while cooking and disliked slow golfers. 

Bob was born on July 5^th, 1945, in Skaneateles, New York. He is the oldest of three children and affectionately shared many stories about his parents, Edna Feeley and Robert Shultz Flannigan II, who predeceased him. He attended St. Bonaventure University and the University of Detroit, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. 

While in Detroit, Bob met the love of his life, a nursing student named Linda Ann Gillespie. On their first date, he asked Linda to make him dinner, so she attempted to cook pasta without water in a frying pan. There is a lot to unpack there. Bob and Linda were married in August 1968, and he remained madly in love with her for the rest of his life. He was especially proud of Linda the past few years as she navigated dementia with courage and grace.

Bob was also proud of his military service. After graduation, he spent two years as an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers. He used his negotiating stills to secure a job designing golf courses, among other things. Bob went on to have a successful career in commercial real estate and property management, first in Indianapolis, Indiana and then Rochester, New York, working for the Landsman Development Corporation. He and Linda moved their family to Penfield in 1978, buying a house walking distance from the community center and high school. They joined Penfield Country Club, where the legend of Jelly began.

Of all his accomplishments, Bob was most proud of the family he and Linda built over many years. He liked to say they had kids over four decades but skipped the ‘80s. He is survived by his wife, Linda, six children, and ten grandchildren:

Kelly Soh, son-in-law Eugene, Ryan (24) and Lani (21)

Buck, daughter-in-law Aileen, Jackson (23) and Conlan (21)

John, Owen (13) and Grady (12)

Jeff, daughter-in-law Beth, Avery (13)

Katie Purchase, son-in-law Andrew, grandchildren Zoe (11) and Charlotte (5)

Joe, daughter-in-law Jackie, Elle (2), with grandchild #11 expected in April

Bob is also survived by his younger brother, Richard and his wife, Debbie, of Cazenovia, and younger sister, Marie and her husband, Paul, of Rochester. “Uncle Bob” remained close with his nieces and nephews and their families over the years. Marie was a constant source of support during Bob’s illness, and his children will always be grateful for her comforting presence.

Please join Bob’s family to celebrate his life. Calling hours are Tuesday, November 19^th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Jennings Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home, 1704 Penfield Road, Penfield, and his Funeral Mass is Wednesday November 20^th at 12:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 43 Gebhart Road, Penfield, followed by internment at Oakwood Cemetery. From their cemetery plot, you can see the house on Henderson Drive where Bob and Linda raised their family.