Robert B. “Bob” Masters

Robert B. “ Bob” Masters, 91 of Bowerston, died Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Community Hospice in New Philadelphia following a lengthy illness.

Born in Bowerston, he was the son of the late Joseph R. and Alice B. Timmerman Masters. He was a graduate of the former Bowerston High School and a veteran having served with the US Army Air Corps as a weatherman in Germany during WWII. In his youth, Bob worked as a meat cutter in his family’s grocery, the former Masters’ Market in Bowerston. Bob retired from the US Postal service where he had served as Postmaster of the Bowerston Post Office and was formerly a rural mail carrier. Many children and grandchildren have experienced his “rides” around the inside of the post office in his office chair. Robert was a life time member of the Bowerston First United Methodist Church where his family were founding members. He was also a member of the Bowerston American Legion and, at the age of 26, was the youngest member to serve as Commander. He was a member of Bowerston American Legion Color Guard, “The Legionnaires,” who won two state championships. He was also instrumental in the building of the Bowerston Library where he served on the board for 44 years. He was a volunteer fireman and this past Labor Day, he served as the Parade Grand Marshall of the Bowerston Fireman’s Festival as the oldest volunteer firefighter.

Bob loved life and lived it to the fullest. Some of his loves were little ditties, ballroom dancing, wood carving, ham radio, bird watching, fishing in his pond, his dog Fletcher, a corny joke, deer hunting, planting trees and his family and community.

Surviving is his wife, the former Jeanette E. Settle, whom he married February 26, 1987. Also surviving are a daughter, Ann (James) Kope of Bowerston; a son, Joseph (Ursula) Masters of Pittsburgh; daughters, Cathy (Tamarak) Arebalo of Pickerington and Sommer (Damon) Meager of Sugarcreek; a twin brother, William Masters of Knoxville, Tennessee; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson. A brother, three sisters, a grandson and a great-grandson are deceased. A special thank you to his grandson, Austin, who was always willing to help with his grandpa’s care.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at 11 AM at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home in New Philadelphia, Ohio with Rev. Tom Dawson officiating. Burial will be in Longview Cemetery in Bowerston where the Scio American Legion will be conducting military honors. Visitation will be held Monday, October 1, 2018 from 4 to 7 PM in the funeral home. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to either Bowerston First United Methodist Church, 202 Jarvis Street, Bowerston, Ohio 44695; Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663; or Trees for a Change at www.treesforachange.com/products/custom-grove-of-trees.