Robert “Bob” Joseph Miller, 83, formerly of Crestline, passed away on May 5, 2021, in Kingston Assisted Living, Marion.
Bob was born in Bellefontaine, on December 21, 1937, to the late Byron and Pauline (John) Miller and was raised by his stepmother, Mary Louise (Snyder) Miller. He married Margaret “Jane” (Haley) Miller on August 30, 1959 and she survives him in Marion.
Bob obtained his B.S. in Education from Bowling Green State University and attended Indiana University for his M.S. in Education. Bob began his career in 1960 at Crestline Junior and Senior High Schools, teaching health and physical education, which included, volleyball, basketball, tennis, and driver’s education in school, and during summers. He also taught driver’s education to adult senior citizens.
In addition to his teaching, Bob coached; junior high football and basketball for four years, and varsity football for ten years. Bob began the Crestline High School tennis programs for both boys and girls. He coached tennis for boys for eighteen years, and tennis for girls, for four years. Over his tenure of coaching tennis many of his athletes qualified to compete at the state level. He also served as the Crestline High School Athletic Director for seven years. After Bob retired from teaching in 1990, he chose to work at Sears & Roebuck Store as an associate.
Bob was a member of; Ohio Tennis Coaches Board of Directors, where he served one year as Vice President, Northwest Ohio Athletic Board of Directors, Ohio Athletic Directors, Ohio Drivers Training Association, Ohio Health, Physical Education and Recreation Association, life member of Ohio Education Association, Vice President of Crestline Teacher’s Association, life member of the Varsity Bowling Green Club, the Bowling Green Alumni Association for forty-three years and a Falcon Club member.
Bob was inducted in the: Ohio Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame, Crestline High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Crawford County Sports Hall of Fame, Bellefontaine Hall of Fame, and the Lakewood Racket Club Hall of Fame.
In 1976, he received the Good Neighbor Award from the Knights of Columbus, Msg. Leo W. Frye Council #2642, Crestline; Given the Key to the City of Crestline in recognition of coaching activities in l987; was Grand Marshall of Crestline Harvest Festival in 1991; recognition from Crestline Kiwanis for his activities to promote drug awareness and safety; and in 2002 received a Community Service Award from Bowling Green State University.
Bob was a member of the United Methodist Church in Crestline. He served on the Board of Trustees, Pastor-Parish Relations Committee and was in various Masonic groups – 32nd Degree Freemason.
In Crestline, he served on; City Council for ten years; was the swimming pool manager for five years, Crestline Park Board for twenty-two years – President 4 years; Crestline Fair Housing Board, 15 years; Red Cross Board of Directors – one term, Crestline American Automobile Club Board, 20 years; Citizens Committee for Schools, Levy Committee for Schools, Member of the Speaker’s Bureau, and Crestline Lions Club – Lion Tamer.
In addition to his wife, Bob is survived by his daughter Elizabeth (Mark) Smith, Manchester, TN; three grandchildren, Dylan Smith, Upper Sandusky; Tyler (Sabrina) Smith, Galion; Katelyn Smith, Gahanna; two great-grandchild Lincoln Horsley and Lorenzo Smith; brother-in-law Bud Hartman, Holland; half and step siblings, Mary Miller, Bellefontaine, Mike Kilgore, Mansfield; and two special friends, Tom Stewart and John DiPietro.
Bob was preceded in death by his son, Richard “Dick” Miller; his sister, Sandra Hartman; and friends, Bill Klopfenstein and Robert “Tank” Runyon.
Friends may call on Sunday, May 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 223 West Main St., Crestline. A Masonic Service will be at 4 p.m. Visitation will also be Monday May 10, from 10 a.m. to the time of the service at 11 a.m. at Claridon United Methodist Church, 4834 Marion Mount Gilead Road (State Route 95) Marion, Ohio 43302. Pastor Terry Burkhart will officiate, and burial will follow in Claridon Cemetery, Caldonia.
Memorial contributions may be made to Richard A. Miller Scholarship (Community Foundation for Crawford County, 254 East Mansfield St., Bucyrus, OH 44820) or Alzheimer’s Research, in care of the funeral home.
Those wishing to share a memory of Bob or send condolences to the Miller family may do so by visiting www.masfh.com.
The Schneider-Gompf Funeral Home, 223 W. Main St., Crestline, is honored to serve the family of Robert “Bob” Joseph Miller.