Robert Grant Dunnican

Robert Dunnican, of Orlando, Florida, born on February 19, 1946, to Roland and Alice Dunnican, went to be with his Lord on the evening of August 11, 2021. Robert was 75 years old.

Robert "Bobby" was a great man who lived a life full of a desire to help others succeed; he focused that passion specifically on the restaurant business. Bobby began his journey in the restaurant industry at the Dandee restaurant in Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. Bobby was fortunate to have excellent mentors that helped him early on in life. Bobby combined the lessons from his mentors with a steadfast determination to succeed. As a result, he built a successful personal and business life within the restaurant industry. His career with Denny's began as a line cook in 1971. Early in his career, he developed friendships with colleagues and mentees that are strong today. Bobby never forgot the impact that his early mentors had in his life. He worked hard to become a mentor for others, those he met within the restaurant business and family members that followed him into the business. Affectionately called "Mr. D" and "D!", many others credit a large part of their success to Bobby's early mentorship. While in Florida, he became the first-ever recipient of the Prestigious President's Award given by Denny's Corporate, one of many awards received throughout his career. After decades of dedication, proven success, and promotions, he became a Denny's Regional Leader of Southern California and Hawaii. Bobby would later leave Denny's corporate to become a successful Denny's franchisee in Arkansas and Florida. Bobby leaves a legacy of success and leadership that will live on in the lives of many.

Bobby enjoyed golf and had a particular love for deep-sea fishing. As a teenager and senior citizen, one of his favorite activities was to cruise up and down Daytona Beach. If you found yourself in a car with him in Daytona Beach, then you have most certainly been on one of his trips down memory lane and received the whole tour. He was a huge fan of Zig Ziglar, and he passed down the Zig Ziglar legacy to his children. Specifically, his daughter, Tara, has many memories of the early days of listening to Zig on repeat in the car. Zig remained in Bobby's ear daily.

Bobby imparted his wisdom and secrets to success to his children, whom he was very proud of and loved. As he began his journey as a Denny's franchisee in the latter years of his professional career in Arkansas, he became equally devoted as a father dedicated to the well-being and the raising of his new young family in Arkansas; Christin, Amanda, Beverly, Ryan, Bobby, and Katia.

Bobby is survived by his daughter, Tara, son-in-law Rob, daughters Christin and Katia, sons Ryan and Bobby, granddaughters Hope, Abby, Taylor, great-grandsons Bentley and Porter, great-granddaughter Scout Caroline, sisters Kathy and Candy, bother-in-law Mike, brother Todd, sister-in-law April. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Tanya, his wife, Arunee, his older brother Ronnie and his parents, Roland and Alice and his brother-in-law John Bishop.

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