Robert Rios

Poland - Robert Rios passed away early Tuesday morning, February 2, 2016 at his residence in Poland with his devoted wife by his side after battling a rare degenerative disease for many years. He was born March 8, 1934 in Mingo Junction, Ohio to the late Michael and Carmen Mendel Rios. He was a 1952 graduate of East High School and was a life-long proud Golden Bear. He served in the US Army and returned after his military service to Youngstown to complete his college degree walking from the East side of Youngstown to the main campus daily for classes, a story he told proudly. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Youngstown College with teaching areas of English, Spanish and Social Studies. He earned his Master of Arts degree in education from Westminster College.
Bob worked for a time as a migrant farmer in California with his family; General Fireproofing; US Steel Corp. through college and as a teacher in the Youngstown City Schools, teaching at Lincoln, Princeton, and Hayes Jr. Highs, Chaney High School and retiring from Volney Rodgers Jr. High in 1996 after nearly 40 years of teaching. He spent summers in the city parks working in programs for low wealth struggling students and volunteered at the Vindicator Spelling Bees for many years. He was awarded the Martha Holden Jennings Educator Award and received many other education and leadership recognitions. During his tenure with the city schools, he was elected first vice-president of the Youngstown Education Association and represented the area as a delegate to annual state and national education conventions. He served for many years as a delegate to and president of the Doris L. Allen Minority Caucus (OEA). With many other inspired education leaders, he marched against apartheid in Washington, D.C. and was arrested for advocating for minority rights and equal education opportunities. He edited speeches for advocacy rallies and gave calm and steady leadership through times of turbulent union struggles. He was a life-time member of the OEA and NEA.
Bob was well known as a fast pitch soft-ball pitcher in area leagues. He was an avid bowler and bowled for three decades on teacher bowling leagues at Holiday Bowl. He was a Cleveland Browns fan and never encountered a sporting event he couldn't watch. He was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Church and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. After his retirement, he enjoyed assembling complex jigsaw puzzles, walking his dog and traveling with his wife and made several trips to Alaska to visit his daughter, Sally.
Robert was known to his parents as "Roberto", to his friends and family as "Bob", to his daughter as "Dad", to his step-children as "Pop" and to his beloved grandchildren as "Peep". He loved them all equally and took them on trips driving across the country making every trip an educational and family experience. He was never too busy to baby sit, pick someone up from school, lend support when needed and never missed an opportunity to correct someone's grammar as a stalwart English teacher to the very end.
Bob celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary this past summer traveling to 17 states in a motor home with his wife and daughter, Debbie; visiting grandchildren, in-laws and friends, logging in 5,000 miles in 21 days. At every stop pictures were taken with family and the "Pete the Penguin", YSU logo for a memorable photo memory. He enjoyed every scenic stop, each campsite and every family visit.
Bob was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Donna Harris Rios, who he married June 11, 1965, his brothers Abel (Terri) Rios, Joseph (Geri) Rios, his sister, Eloise Fisher, his children Debra Mettee, Gordon R. Mettee, Jr., Donna Mettee and Selita Marie Rios, his grandchildren, Natalie (Alex) Friend, William, Melissa, Sharon, Rachel, Michael and Zachary Mettee, Kiki Meiners and Henry Riggle Rios, in-laws Karen Mettee and Richard Scarsella, his uncle and friend, Valentin Mendel, many close aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins who made up his extended family and his friends in the "Last Quarter Gang" from East High School who met regularly and never forgot to include him even as he struggled with his progressive illness
There will be a memorial Mass celebrated by the Rev. Father John Jerek at St. Paul the Apostle Church in New Middletown, on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 11:00am. Friends and family will be received from 9:00am to 11:00am at the church before the service.
Arrangements are being handled by Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Poland.