Robert E. Fleming

Robert E. Fleming, age 66, of Columbus and formerly of Dover and New Philadelphia, died Monday, May 12, 2008, in The Ohio State University Medical Center at Columbus surrounded by his family. He fought a courageous eleven year battle with cancer.Born on April 23, 1942, in Union Hospital at Dover, Bob was a son of the late William R. and Ruth C. Hartman Fleming.Bob was a 1960 graduate of New Philadelphia High School and went on to obtain a Bachelors of Education degree from Kent State University in 1970. In 1973 he attained his Masters of Education degree from Xavier College.Throughout high school and college, Bob spent time assisting his father with the family business, the former Fleming Office Machines, Inc., which was located in downtown New Philadelphia.He began his professional career as a teacher and later moved into educational administration. For a number of years he worked for the Tusky Valley School District serving as not only a teacher but in such capacities as Athletic Director, Transportation Coordinator and School Treasurer.From there, Bob moved to Buckeye Career center where he spent a period of time as a Small Business Instructor.Following 20 years as the treasurer of Dover City Schools, Bob completed his career retiring in 2000. His career in the field of education spanned 34 years. Bob was a natural leader, as his civic involvement began prior to college graduation where he served as the first Student Body President for what was then know as the Kent State University Extension at New Philadelphia.Following college, Bob became involved with The Dover Exchange Club, became a Life Member of the Dover Elks, and served on the Board of Directors for United Way Day Care Center.He was a former member and trustee of the First Presbyterian Church at New Philadelphia and a current member of the Worthington Presbyterian Church. Additionally, he was an avid golfer and formerly a member of numerous local stock trading clubs in the area.Aside from work and civic activities, the most important facet of Bob’s life was his family. He would do anything possible to gather his immediate and extended family together, even if that meant having 23 for Thanksgiving Dinner. He is survived by his wife, the former Deborah “Debby” Phillips, whom he married on December 27, 1969, ; a daughter, Elizabeth Fleming, of Cleveland; a sister, Susan (John) Davis, of New Philadelphia; a father-in-law, Delbert Phillips, of Dover; a brother-in-law, Steve (Carla) Phillips, of Chillicothe, Ohio; and a sister-in-law, Vickie Fleming, of Medina, Ohio.Two nephews, Matt (Nikki) Phillips, of New Albany, Ohio and Michael Davis, of New Philadelphia; two nieces, Stephanie Phillips, of Nashville, Tennessee, and Amy Davis, of Cleveland, Ohio; and two great-nephews, Brendan and Brodie Phillips, of New Albany, Ohio, complete the family. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by friend and brother, William R. Fleming, Jr. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 15, 2008, from 5:00 â?? 8:00 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. The Reverend Richard Greenwood will conduct the Fleming Funeral on Friday, May 16, 2008, at 11:00 AM in the funeral home’s Chapel. Burial will follow in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia.Following the committal, the family would like to invite friends to join them for a time of food and fellowship in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home.Those unable to attend are invited to leave an online tribute to the Fleming family by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to The James Cancer Center, 660 Ackerman Road, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, OH, 43218-3112.