Robert E. Rhodes, age 91 of Xenia, OH, passed away Friday, August 6, 2021, at Bethany Village in Washington Township. He was born November 23, 1929 in Irvine, KY to the late Raymond and Geneva (Wilson) Rhodes.
Left to cherish Bob's memory are his wife of 69 years, Doris (Ferguson) Rhodes; son, Dennis (Jacalyn) Rhodes; daughters: Barbara Rhodes and Katy (Mark) Anderson; brother, Walter Rhodes; sister, Helen (Bob) Webb; grandchildren: Jonathan Rhodes, Natalie Matthews, and Jerry (Dominique) Matthews; great-grandchildren: Rylan, Keymon, Shamiyah, and Quadarius Matthews; several nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.
Bob loved to be around people. He was very outgoing, loved to talk with everyone, and never knew a stranger. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, reading western novels, and working puzzles. Bob was a hard worker who liked to stay busy. He always had a woodworking project that he was working on, or was planning next. Bob also enjoyed boating, waterskiing, and roller skated until he was 80 years old. He was a member of the Xenia Recreation Center, and the Xenia Y, where he liked to walk and work out. One of Bob's favorite hobbies was collecting walnuts and hickory nuts. He had arranged with several neighbors and friends to allow him to collect the nuts from their trees. He spent the winters shelling the nuts, then storing them in peanut butter jars that he saved throughout the year. Bob then enjoyed dispensing the jars of nuts wherever he happened to make his rounds; his doctor, the lawnmower repair guy, neighbours...everyone. Most of all, Bob enjoyed spending time with his family.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his grandson, Christopher Rhodes; and sister, Eva Fuller.
The family will receive friends Friday, September 10, 2021 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home - Beavercreek Chapel (3380 Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek) where a memorial service celebrating Bob's life will follow at 6:00 pm.
Donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Adult Recreation and Services Center of Xenia.
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