Obituary of Robert F. Ench

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Robert F. Ench, age 83, of Glen Mills, PA, passed away on July 17, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, he was the son of Henry Ench, Sr., and Ellen (Noone) Ench. Robert resided in Glen Mills, PA, and Miromar Lakes, FL. Bob was known for his love of family and hard work and less known for his quiet charitable giving and generosity. 

Bob graduated from Farmingdale State College in 1960. He started his own business, Flowertime, a Long Island garden center which grew into a chain of 38 retail stores. Bob took Flowertime public and later merged with Frank’s Nursery and Crafts, with an operation of 250 stores across the US. Bob was then Chairman of the Board of Frank’s. 

In 1988 he started Hopewell Nursery in Bridgeton, NJ, a growing operation spanning over 2,000 acres – it was one of the largest wholesale nurseries on the East Coast. What many don’t know is that Hopewell started with Bob’s idea to build a first-class golf course with specialty trees and plants being highlighted on each hole. When the market shifted, so did Bob, and Hopewell Nursery was formed.

In the 1980’s Bob worked with Lady Bird Johnson on beautification projects. He was on the Board of Directors for The National Wildflowers Research Center.

At Farmingdale, he served as president of the Alumni Association, and was a member of the College Council and the Horticulture Committee. In 1983, he received the highest honor Farmingdale can bestow, the Ram’s Horn Award, and received an Honorary Doctorate in 2010. 

Bob was a legend in the Nursery business – a true icon who influenced many through his hard work, entrepreneurship, generosity and dedication to the Horticulture Program at Farmingdale. In 2016, Farmingdale dedicated the “Robert F. Ench Teaching Gardens” in honor of his loyalty, generosity and service. 

Bob loved spending time with his wife, daughters and grandchildren and he will be greatly missed. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Harry Ench, and survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Louise Ench, and daughters Kathleen Zentner, Karen Pastreich, and Lisa Semler. He is also survived by his sons-in-law: Robert Zentner and Phil Pastreich, his five grandchildren: Alexandria (Jordan), Robert, Ana-Christina, Gavin, and Kendall, as well as two great-grandchildren: Cooper and Cameron. He is also survived by his sister, Ellen Lennon; along with nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, July 26, 2024 from 10-11AM at Maris Grove Chapel, 200 Maris Grove Way, Glen Mills, PA 19342 followed by a Memorial Service at 11AM. (a livestream will be available at www.RobertEnch.com ). There will be a private interment at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Bob to support Farmingdale State College Horticulture Students by visiting (www.farmingdale.edu/bob-ench) or checks can be made payable to Farmingdale College Foundation at 2350 Broadhollow Road, Horton Hall 120, Farmingdale, NY 11735.

Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.