Robert L. Phillips

Robert L. "Bob" Phillips, 90, of West Chester, Ohio and a former Dover resident died Tuesday, January 27, 2015 in the Hospice of Cincinnati.

Bob was a retired 39 year employee of the Marlite Corporation. He began his career with Marlite in Atlanta, Georgia and retured to Dover in 1968 as sales manager.

Born Dec. 20, 1924 in Warren, Ohio, he was the son of the late Baird Leithiser and Martha Whittlesey Phillips Weber. He was also preceded in death by his step fathers Fred Phillips and Charles Weber and his sister, Mary Virginia Paddock.

Bob was a longtime member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Dover where he served as a Sunday Schoolteacher in the J.C. Miller Class and was the church league basketball coach. After graduating from Dover High School in 1943 having played football and basketball, he proudly served his country as a Paratrooper in the 81st and 82nd Airborne during World War II. Following his honorable discharge from the US Army, he attended Denison University and played quarterback under Coach Woody Hayes and led his team to two undefeated seasons. H was also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Fraternity. He graduated from Denison in 1950. Bob was a lover of all sports and enjoyed playing golf.

On June 7, 1949, Bob married the love of his life Janet (Luthy) Phillips with whom he celebrated 66 years of marriage. He will also be sadly be missed by his three children, Susan Ries of Columbus, Lynn (Joe) Mellencamp of West Chester and Jeffrey (Amy) Phillips of Murrysville, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren, Ian, John, and Carly Jo Mellencamp and Taylor, Anna, and Haylee Phillips.

Funeral services will be held Friday (today) Jan. 30, 2015 beginning at 11am in the Grace Lutheran Church at Dover with Rev. Donald Rice officiating. Interment will be in the Dover Burial Park where the Dover VFW will conduct military honors. Friends can call at the church from 10-11am. Those unable to attend or who may wish to express a fond memory of Bob can sign the online guestbook by visiting the "obituaries and flowers" link on the funeral home website at www.tolandherzig.com

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church, 216 N. Wooster Ave., Dover, Ohio 44622