Bob Gurkin is an award – winning Landscape Designer who has been in the Landscape/ Green Industry since March of 1996. Prior to Bob getting started in the Green Industry, he had served Honorably in the United States Navy for 15 years as a ‘Flight Engineer’ in the P-3C II Orion Aircraft with over 2,500 hours of flight time.

Before joining the staff at Basnight Land and Lawn, Inc. Bob was the General Manager and Senior Landscape Designer at Signature Landscapes, Obec Inc. for 7 years. Prior to that he had worked for Tidewater Landworks for 1 year as a foreman.

Bob has designed, managed and worked on projects ranging from the Outdoor Garden, located on the 22^nd floor, at the Virginia Beach Towne Center for the Troutman Sanders Law firm, to a Memorial Garden for Seal Team Ten at Little Creek Amphibious Base in Norfolk, the Pond/ Water Featuer at the Chesapeake General Hospital Cancer Center, along with countless residential installations, which include intimate, private courtyard gardens, Outdoor Kitchens and Living areas, Paver Patios, Walkways, Garden and Retention Walls to exceptional Water Features. His expertise, which can only come from years of on site hands on experience, combined with his creativity, results in beautiful and functional landscapes and designs.

Bob’s creative and professionally designed projects have won him numerous first place awards for display gardens in state home and garden shows. Bob was recently awarded the American Horticultural Society’s “Environmental Award” for the best demonstration of skillful design that incorporates environmental stewardship in the garden.

Bob feels that it is very important for his clients to be part of the design process, so he can create a more personalized design, catering to the client’s specific needs and desires.

“Everything I do is dedicated to the delivery of a quality product for my clients. I strive for a collaborative relationship between the client and myself.” I am a self-proclaimed perfectionist. I will not leave a job until I am completely satisfied with it and by that point, my client is pleased too.

Bob is a Virginia Certified Horticulturist #1935, Landscape Designer and has been certified by ICPI (Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute) for Paver Installation and is also a Certified Aquascape Contractor for Pond and Waterfall Installations. He is also a member of the Virginia Nurserymen’s Association, The Lynnhaven River Now Society and PLANET (Professional Landcare Network).  Bob has spoken to different garden clubs, garden centers and has trained Master Gardeners since he has been in the Green Industry.

Bob resides in the Hickory section of Chesapeake along with his wife Ellen and their three children. Bo (22), Danielle (21) and Allison (16).

DID YOU KNOW?

Bob has been involved in NASCAR racing for over 18 years. He started driving his own stock cars while stationed in Jacksonville, Florida and Brunswick, Maine. When he had to stop driving, he had a chance to work for a fellow competitor of his on a Busch Grand National team as a crewmember. Once he moved to Virginia, he started working for a team out of Richmond serving as a crew chief for (3) different Late Model Stock teams and a Hooters Pro Cup team.