Robert
Robert "Bob" Spenser Bates
d. July 31, 2009
SALEM -- Robert "Bob" Spenser Bates, passed away July 31, 2009 at Salem Hospital. Bob was born September 30, 1912, the son of Alva and Emily (Darrow) Bates of Youngstown, Ohio.
He grew up in Canfield and was a lifelong area resident. He attended Canfield High School and was a 1931 graduate. Bob retired as an electrician from Local 64 I.B.E.W. where he attended the apprenticeship-training program and was a member for 72 years. He served on the apprenticeship board, executive board and was an assistant Business Agent. Bob was a member of The Wick Masonic Lodge # 481 F&AM for 62 years and also a member of Aut Mori Grotto. An active charter member of the Boardman Christian Church, he sang in the choir, served as an elder, played in the orchestra and sat on the building committee that founded the church. Music was always a part of Bob's life, being an accomplished violinist, he was a member of the orchestra in high school, church and a member of the Steel Valley Harmonica Club. Bob's other interests included golf and boating in which he instilled an early interest in both of his sons.
He was married three times to Canfield High School Graduates, Kathleen Schaaf Bates, Lenore Chambers Beard Bates, and Maude Brandmiller Mulane Bates whom all predeceased him. He is survived by two sons, Robert Spencer Bates of Sebring Fla. and Paul Bates of North Benton; a step son, Ralph (Toni) Beard of Canfield; two daughters-in-law, Cathy Bayes and Maeo Bates; three grandchildren, Timothy Bates of Austintown, Mark Bates of Salem, and Kimberly Bates Evans of Uniontown; six great-grandchildren, Erica and Erin Hawley, Lydia and Grace Bates, and Ava and Kolton Evans.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Kathy Bates Hawley. Calling hours will be Monday from 4-7 pm at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:00 am at the Boardman Christian Church.
The family requests that material tributes take the form of contributions to the Boardman Christian Church, 565 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman, OH 44512.
Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com
He grew up in Canfield and was a lifelong area resident. He attended Canfield High School and was a 1931 graduate. Bob retired as an electrician from Local 64 I.B.E.W. where he attended the apprenticeship-training program and was a member for 72 years. He served on the apprenticeship board, executive board and was an assistant Business Agent. Bob was a member of The Wick Masonic Lodge # 481 F&AM for 62 years and also a member of Aut Mori Grotto. An active charter member of the Boardman Christian Church, he sang in the choir, served as an elder, played in the orchestra and sat on the building committee that founded the church. Music was always a part of Bob's life, being an accomplished violinist, he was a member of the orchestra in high school, church and a member of the Steel Valley Harmonica Club. Bob's other interests included golf and boating in which he instilled an early interest in both of his sons.
He was married three times to Canfield High School Graduates, Kathleen Schaaf Bates, Lenore Chambers Beard Bates, and Maude Brandmiller Mulane Bates whom all predeceased him. He is survived by two sons, Robert Spencer Bates of Sebring Fla. and Paul Bates of North Benton; a step son, Ralph (Toni) Beard of Canfield; two daughters-in-law, Cathy Bayes and Maeo Bates; three grandchildren, Timothy Bates of Austintown, Mark Bates of Salem, and Kimberly Bates Evans of Uniontown; six great-grandchildren, Erica and Erin Hawley, Lydia and Grace Bates, and Ava and Kolton Evans.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Kathy Bates Hawley. Calling hours will be Monday from 4-7 pm at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 10:00 am at the Boardman Christian Church.
The family requests that material tributes take the form of contributions to the Boardman Christian Church, 565 Boardman-Canfield Road, Boardman, OH 44512.
Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com
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