Bob Scott is a man of few words. But on Valentine's Day, his actions spoke the language of love.

The 83-year-old Modestan commemorated the most romantic day of the year by handing out roses — eight dozen of them — to the ladies at Bethel Retirement Community on Scenic Drive.

"He likes to let people think he's a grumpy man," said Billie Scott, a Bethel staff member who's known Scott since he moved there six years ago. "But Bob is a really sweet man. He always makes it a point to brighten people's day."

This was the second year Scott has given away roses on a grand scale — along with a few orchid corsages — to Bethel's female residents and staff on Valentine's Day.

Wearing a blue dress shirt, slacks and a sport coat and holding onto his walker, Scott slowly made his way through the dining area during lunch. He gave flowers to all the women as the song "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" played in the background.

All the recipients were delightfully surprised.

"It's just wonderful," said a 90-something Agnes Maihen.

"It's very thoughtful, him thinking of all of us ladies," Georgia Peck said after receiving a single red rose.

Scott is known for his affinity for flowers. Every week, he rides a shuttle to a grocery store and buys bouquets for his room.

His Valentine's Day giveaway started a few years ago on a smaller scale. He handed out a few flowers to some of the women as a friendly gesture, but he didn't have enough to give everyone. When the next Valentine's Day arrived, he bought more flowers than the year before.

This year, to make sure no one was left out, Scott ordered eight dozen roses in red, pink, salmon and white, more than $150 worth. With the corsages, the bill was nearly $200.

Why spend so much on so many for Valentine's Day?

"Because it makes them happy," he said.

Scott's daughter Suzanne Perez described her dad as a romantic at heart. He often brought flowers home for his wife, Betty, to whom he was married for "50 years, two weeks, six days and three hours."

Betty died not long after the Scotts moved into Bethel. In a way, according to Bethel staffer Elizabeth Price, Scott's actions on Valentine's Day are a tribute to his wife.

"He told me he does this because it helps him miss her a little less on Valentine's Day," Price said.

Besides, he likes to see the happy looks on all the ladies' faces, including 75-year-old Pat Fryer.

The deaf woman greeted Scott with a big hug and a kiss on the cheek after he gave her a corsage.

"I'm thankful and blessed to have a friend like him," Fryer said in sign language.

Lillian Lovaas, who moved to Bethel in December, doesn't know Scott well. But that didn't keep him from giving her a rose.

"This is pretty wonderful," she said.

But will her husband, Irvin, be OK with her receiving a flower from another man?

"Oh yes," Lovaas said. "He won't give me any static. We've been married for 60 years."

To comment, click on the link with this story at www.modbee.com. Bee staff writer Donna Birch can be reached at 578-2309 or dbirch@modbee.com.