Robert E. Sullivan, age 88, of Columbus, Ohio passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, December 19, 2014. He was born on July, 16, 1926 in Union City, New Jersey to the late Reginald P. and Inez (Harruff) Sullivan.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary Marilyn (Vance) Sullivan. Together they had five children: Sheryl (Richard) Bindley of Hebron, Ohio, Drs. Michael (Christine) Sullivan of Powell, Ohio, Timothy (Krista) Sullivan of Marion, Ohio, Patricia (Thomas) Kohan of Ashland, Oregon, and Kathleen (Dennis) DiSanto of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Bob and Marilyn also enjoyed fifteen grandchildren: Lauren and Shaun Bindley; Kyle, Eric and Kathryn Sullivan; Abbey (Nickolas) Hajjar and Austin (Elizabeth) Sullivan; Michael, Zachary (Amanda), Patrick and Joseph Kohan; and Nicholas, Dennis, Samantha and Andrew DiSanto. He is also survived by brother, James (Barbara) Sullivan.
Bob attended St. Mary’s High School in Marion, Ohio, and later graduated from Bowling Green State University.
Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, where he served in the medical corps for World War II and the Korean War.
Upon return from his service, he worked as an announcer for WMRN radio before working for the J. Maish Advertising Agency. In 1965 Bob founded the award winning and nationally recognized Lord, Sullivan & Yoder Advertising Agency. Following his retirement, he remained as Chairman of the Board for Lord, Sullivan & Yoder for a number of years.
Bob was an active member of several Catholic churches and served on many boards while living in St. Petersburg, Fla. and Marion. He was one of the charter founding members of the Marion County Youth Foundation, which enabled the youth of Marion County to pursue their dreams.
Bob and Marilyn shared a beautiful life together playing golf at Marion Country Club and Isla del Sol Golf and Yacht Club in St. Petersburg, Fla. In addition to golf, they enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. In 2013, Bob was privileged to accompany several other fellow WW II veterans on an Honor Flight to our nations capital. He loved Ohio State sports and the marching band. It was a highlight for him to sing the fight song with the Alumni Band before the 2014 Michigan game.
The family mourns the loss of a good man who was an outstanding role model. Faith and Family were always his top priorities. Bob had a special acronym that became a motto for how he led his life. He passed it on to his children and grandchildren….. DWYSYWD which means Do What You Say You Will Do. Dad, we will treasure this life lesson as long as we are “vertical.”
In Bob’s words… “It’s been a wonderful life with the woman I love dearly, with five terrific children and their spouses whom are everything you could hope for, and with 15 fantastic grandchildren. And, if we’re lucky, perhaps we’ll even be able to enjoy a great grandchild or two”.
Family will receive friends Friday, December 26, 2014 from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at Gunder/Hall and Folk Funeral Directors, 347 W. Center St., Marion, Ohio. The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am, Saturday, December 27, 2014 at the Saint Mary Catholic Church in Marion. One hour prior to the service the family will also receive friends. Burial will follow at the Saint Mary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Honor Flight of Columbus or The Kobacker House, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Gunder/Hall & Folk Funeral Directors (a division of Snyder Funeral Homes) are assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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