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. 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.
Robert loved his alma mater. And we love him. In 2016 the College dedicated the teaching gardens in his name in recognition of his loyalty, generosity and service.
Take a video tour of the Robert F. Ench Teaching Gardens at Farmingdale State College's Horticulture Department.
Please show your love for Bob, as we call him, to support our students just as he did.