Robert "Bob" C. Corwin Jr.'s Obituary
CORWIN, Robert “Bob” Clifford Jr., age 74, of Waynesville, passed away Sunday, February 4, 2024, at Ohio Living Quaker Heights.
Bob is survived by his wife of 53 years, Susan; sister, Mary Lou (Richard) Robison; sons, Chad (Laura) and Lance (Courtney); his greatest loves, grandchildren, Samantha, Arianna, Madeline, and Luke. Lest we forget his four-legged family members, Harley (who was waiting for him in Heaven), and his loveable rescue, Katy. And the countless dear friends he made during his time on Earth.
Bob was born May 12, 1949, to parents, Robert and Laura. He became an older brother to his sister, Mary Lou, a few years later. Bob was raised in Morrow, Ohio, by his parents and Grandma Clara. He was part of Little Miami High School’s graduating class of 1967. During his high school days, he displayed a passion and talent for sports. He was a multi-sport athlete, excelling in football, track, and baseball. Bob was drafted by the Washington Senators and spent a few seasons playing catcher in Geneva, NY, and Salisbury, NC. Following his playing days, Bob dedicated time to youth sports as a coach for little league baseball, Lebanon Elks baseball (with his Uncle Don), Waynesville Spartans varsity baseball coach (‘82- ‘84), and Spartans football assistant coach (‘81- ‘82).
After his stretch in the minor leagues, Bob returned to Ohio. Influenced by his Uncle Don, he enrolled at Cincinnati Barber College. He would go on to open a barber shop on Waynesville’s Main Street and cut the hair of townsfolk for many years.
After his barbering career, Bob obtained his real estate license and worked in the industry for over 30 years before retiring in 2018. During this time, he was employed by E.A. Florence Realty, Kim Williams Realty, and Henkle Schueler.
Bob’s love of sports and competition continued throughout his life. He was a Bengals fan and season ticket holder during their 1981 Super Bowl season. He attended games with his son, cousin Craig, Uncle Don, and Aunt Talitha. He cheered the Bengals on in the Jungle during the AFC Championship game win against the San Diego Chargers (-59 windchill!!!) and their Superbowl XVI defeat to the San Francisco 49ers at the Silverdome in Pontiac, MI.
As you might imagine, Bob enjoyed attending Cincinnati Reds games with his family and would always go on Waynesville Night. From time to time, he would reconnect with old teammates who made it to the majors when they were in town for a game and always bring along his starstruck son to meet them.
Bob competed in bowling leagues with friends and bowled multiple 300 games.
Bob loved a wide variety of card games, many of which were played during rain delays at the golf course, but poker was his sweet spot. He volunteered his time during the Country Fair, which was held on the Waynesville School grounds during the 1980s. He would grill chicken and deal Pokereno (five cards face up) to ten hungry gamblers, each laying down 50 cents for a chance to scoop the pot. Bob may or may not have placed his son in one of those ten seats, bankrolling him into the action. For years, he played in weekly Sunday night poker games with friends. The games were always competitive and sometimes heated but laughs and camaraderie were the pillar those Sunday nights were built upon.
In his younger days, Bob was a fixture at Waynesville sporting events. You would find him leaning up against the wall in the gym watching his son play basketball or lined up along the chain link fence under the lights on Friday night.
Though there were many activities that Bob enjoyed, golf undoubtedly was his life-long passion. He played any chance he got and encouraged his sons to do the same. For years, weather be damned, Bob and friends would play #7 at Holly Hills on Superbowl Sunday. The winner of the one-hole tournament would get their name on the plaque and have the honor of hosting the following year’s Super Bowl party. During summers, in between rounds, you would find Bob taking his sons to compete in golf tournaments or parked by the putting green in the evening, van lights on at the request of his sons so they could get more practice time. For many years, Bob played in golf leagues at Holly Hills with his wife, sons, and numerous golf buddies. He won the Holy Hills Club Championship multiple times and recorded several holes-in-one during his days on the links. Among the numerous courses around the world he played, Bob experienced bucket list rounds at St. Andrews and Pebble Beach. Playing with his sons in Hawaii was another special moment. He would take yearly golf trips with friends to Oglebay and Myrtle Beach to supplement his income. If a putt meant something, financial or otherwise, Bob had a knack for sinking it. The time spent on these trips and at Holly Hills were some of Bob’s most treasured memories.
Bob wasn’t a one-trick pony. He was an excellent whistler. Be it a melodic tune, a sad ballad like those heard in the westerns he loved, or an ear-piercing shriek that could be heard four streets over, signaling to his kids it was time to come home.
He was fantastic on the grill and in the kitchen. He is known for his cube steak, biscuits, and gravy, and Rumaki, a New’s Years Eve tradition. Bob and Sue enjoyed participating in a gourmet food club get-together with three other couples. They enjoyed delicious food, fine drinks, and great fellowship.
Outgoing, fun-loving, and a man who never met a stranger, Bob would often bump into people while traveling that he knew or remembered. He was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, and a friend. He lived a lifetime of wonderful moments and experiences. Getting married, the birth of his children, spoiling his grandchildren, vacations with his wife and dear friends Lu and Kiser, making a hole-in-one, bowling a 300 game, signing a professional baseball contract, countless rounds of golf with friends, and numerous other life experiences.
During Bob’s twilight years, dementia slowly robbed him of those moments and experiences. Locking them away in parts of his mind that were out of reach. In spite of this, he was still Bob to the end; always smiling with those twinkling blue eyes you could never get enough of.
All of Bob’s golf buddies, who finished their rounds before him, are waiting for Bobby Two Shoes on the 1st tee. They’re up next. Hit ‘em straight, Bob! We love and miss you.
The family will receive friends 12 PM - 3 PM Saturday, February 10, at Conner & Koch Funeral Home, 92 W. Franklin St., Bellbrook, Ohio 45305. A celebration of Bob’s life will immediately follow the visitation at 3 PM in Bellbrook, with celebrant Katie Mackoway officiating the services. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville is serving the family.
If desired and in Bob’s memory, contributions may be made to the Wayne Local Fire and Rescue Squad or the Warren County Animal Shelter. The family would like to thank Ohio Living Quaker Heights and Hospice of Dayton for their kind and compassionate care and support in Bob’s final days. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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