Olga & Bob Mahlstede

Robert A. Mahlstede, "Bob", age 95, passed away on July 4, 2021 and his wife of 69 years, Olga O. Mahlstede, age 97, passed away August 12, 2022.

They were lifelong residents of Centerville, Ohio and both passed away in their home of 60 years. They are survived by their nieces, Tamra (Ostapchuk) McNutt, Deborah (Mahlstede) Snook, Barbara (Mahlstede) Boyer, Cindy (Mahlstede) Shupp, nephew, John Mahlstede, cousin, Arthur Howansky, goddaughter and cousin, Laura (Howansky) Brugnoni, extended family and friends.

Bob was born on March 21, 1926 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late John P. and Gretchen (Boddy) Mahlstede. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, John. Bob served his country during WWII in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan for nineteen months. He went on to study and graduate from Ohio State University, where he was a member of Pi Alpha Xi, earning his bachelor's degree in floriculture (a branch of horticulture - the cultivation of flowers). He had the great opportunity to play for the Buckeyes on the field before an injury sidelined him. Bob showed his and Olga's beloved dogs in numerous dog shows nationwide and Canada. Their prized dog, Tovarich, won Best-In-Breed at the Westminster Dog Show with Bob at his side as trainer and handler. In 1954, he began his long career in floriculture at Hartzell Greenhouse where he worked his entire career.

Olga was born on May 24, 1925 in Yonkers, New York, the daughter of the late Mary (Garan) and Theodore "Frank" Ostapchuk. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Theodore "Ted" Ostapchuk and sister-in-law, Jewell Ostapchuk, nephew, Theodore "Ted" Ostapchuk and cousin Carroll Howansky. Olga was an accomplished pianist, who attended Julliard and graduated from The Eastman School of Music at Rochester University where she served as president of Delta Omicron professional sorority. She taught at Heidelberg University in Tiffin Ohio.

After meeting at the wedding of mutual friends, Olga and Bob were married in 1952 at Old Trinity Episcopal Church in Tiffin. They moved to the Dayton area where Olga went on to have a career as an assistant buyer at Rike's department store. However she never stopped playing the piano and was still playing until the day she passed. Olga and Bob were involved and beloved members of the community. Bob served as president of the Centerville Kiwanis Club where he was a member for 50 years and they belonged to the Dayton Kennel Club where Olga served as president. They loved their dogs, music, nature - flowers, trees, birds and "critters", their family and friends and in turn, they were greatly loved.

A memorial service to honor Olga and Bob will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Newcomer Centerville Chapel, 820 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Dayton, Ohio 45459. To view the service via livestream , please click the following link: Bob's services will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click Here to view the service. Given Bob's love of flowers, they are welcome or in lieu of flowers, please make donations to SICSA Pet Adoption and Wellness Center of Washington Township in honor of Olga and Bob Mahlstede.

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