Bob And Sarah Bean

Robert E. "Bob" and Sarah L. Bean, ages 68 and 65, respectively, of both Port Orange, Fla. and New Philadelphia, died Friday, Nov. 5, 2010, when their plane crashed into the wilderness of southeastern Tennessee. A friendly, hard-working and generous couple, their deaths are a tragic loss.

Bob was born Jul. 18, 1942, in Cleveland, a son of the late Howard and Ruth (McFarland) Bean, who owned and operated Bean's Grocery in New Philadelphia. He was an outstanding mechanic and expert welder, winning a state champion automotive trouble-shooting award while just a teenager. Bob graduated from New Philadelphia High School and was employed by Empire Reeves Steel Corp. before moving to Florida in 1980. There, he worked for Pan Am World Services, often under contract to different concerns, including work at the Space Center at Cape Canaveral. Among some of Bob's personal accomplishments were the building of four homes and two airplanes.

Sarah was born on Mar. 5, 1945, in Mansfield, a daughter of Sara (Bell) Fenton of Ashland, and the late W.E. Fenton. She was a graduate of Crestview High School, Mansfield Beauty School and North Central Technical College. Early on, she owned a beauty salon and was a respiratory therapist before embarking on a career as a registered nurse. Sarah became an instrument-certified pilot after moving to Florida. She was active in Women of Wings (WOW) working to increase interest in flight among women. She was also a passionate supporter of the abused women's shelters in Florida. Sarah was enthusiastic, focused, and dedicated to whatever she put her hands to.

Bob and Sarah were married on Jul. 22, 1962, in St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Mansfield. Of all their accomplishments, the topmost was certainly the rearing of their two boys. Bob and Sarah loved each other dearly and were always together. They traveled extensively in the United States and Europe, as well as visits to Asia. The couple loved animals, especially the poodles the family owned over the years.

In addition to Sarah's mother, survivors include two sons, Robert (Susan) Bean of Galion, and Ryen (Christine) Bean of Titusville, Fla.; five grandchildren, Jason, Christopher and Sara Trespel, and Christopher and Courtney Bean; Bob's brother, Edward (NaHanan) Bean of Fla.; Sarah's sister and brother, Patti (Roger) Irvin of Ashland, and Larry (Linda) Fenton of Butler; several nieces and nephews; and many, many dear friends.

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, 803 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, on Saturday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m. �" 12 p.m. A funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. with Rev. Robert F. Cerar officiating. A brief burial service will then be held in the East Avenue Cemetery, New Philadelphia. Following the committal, there will be a luncheon in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard in Dover. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Bob and/or Sarah, please visit the funeral home's website and click on Obituaries.

In lieu of flowers, contributions honoring Bob and Sarah's lives may be made to Impact Ministries International World Orphanages, PO Box 102, Lonsdale, Minn. 55046, www.tstamman.com or Park Avenue Baptist Church, 2600 S. Park Ave, Titusville, Fla. 32780.

Toland-Herzig, Dover
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com