June 9, 1942 - June 10, 2022
Pemberville, Ohio | Age 80
CSM(R) Bob Lucas was born to Kenneth and Edna Lucas on June 9, 1942, in Bellaire, Ohio, the second of four children. He died at home in Pemberville, OH, June 10, 2022.
Bob grew up on the family farm in Centerville in Belmont County, OH. He sustained a lifelong love for this part of southeastern Ohio. Going home was a through line in his life and each visit eagerly anticipated.
Realizing early that farming would not be his desired career, he attended The Ohio State University, completing his degree in Finance at Capital University in Columbus, OH. A personal highlight was serving as a page in the Ohio Senate 104th General Assembly in 1964. He later achieved an advanced degree at the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University in NJ.
At the age of twenty Bob enlisted in the Army 2d Special Forces Group, ultimately becoming a member of the successor 2nd Bn, 11th Special Forces Group and retiring as Command Sergeant Major. Bob served for 34 years and completed over 150 parachute jumps and traveled the North American continent to train for the unit’s Cold War Mission.
Concurrently Bob embarked on what became a 30-year banking career with Huntington Bank, NA. His roles included co-founder and president of Huntington Leasing Company, president of Huntington Bank of Toledo/Northwest Ohio, executive director of Community Banks for the State of Ohio and president of Huntington Mortgage Company.
Across his dual careers in the military and banking, Bob accepted leadership positions for numerous philanthropic endeavors in Toledo and Columbus, including the United Way of Greater Toledo, serving as the 1989 Campaign Chair and, later, board president. Following his retirement from Huntington, the United Way moved to recruit him for a 5-year position as president, tasked by the Board with realigning the organization's businesses practices.
A deep and abiding love of Ohio and its rich history propelled Bob to serve 9 years on the Board of Ohio History Connection (formerly The Ohio Historical Society), becoming chairman of the board in 2016. In this role, he personally visited each of Ohio's 59 unique Ohio History sites, often urging his fellow Ohioans to do the same. On June 9, 2022, the executive committee of the Ohio History Connection awarded Bob the rare honor of Life Trustee. Bob was the driving force behind the dedication of an Ohio Historical Marker for the remembrance of 17 paratroopers and air crew that died from a midair plane collision during an airborne training operation in southern Ohio.
Bob was a man in motion. He had a passion for airplanes and was an instrument rated private pilot and owned several single-engine airplanes. This paired well with his equally strong passion for Triumph vintage sports cars of which he owned many over the years.
Not surprising, he also loved to travel. Retired from the Army, he and his wife, Karen, had the military privilege of traveling Space Available designation on military aircraft to destinations around the world. Doing this he logged over 45 exciting Space A trips which he considered exhilarating, as often the final destinations could change rapidly prior to takeoff and, sometimes, even mid-flight.
Bob was a 35-year member of The Toledo Club and proud member of the men's morning workout group, the Great Books Club and, occasionally he dabbled in Yoga classes.
He was sustained and now survived by his beloved wife, Karen; cherished daughter, Robyn Bachelor (Paul); adorable grandchildren, Casey, Josie and Abby; and very special stepson, Vesper Williams III (Laura); brother, Thomas (Brenda).
Bob was an exemplary husband and loving partner, father, brother, son, grandfather, colleague, friend.
His final wish was to return his remains to the highest point in Belmont County, once part of the Lucas Family Farm.
His family extends heartfelt thanks to Hospice of Northwest Ohio for providing care and comfort to Bob and those he loved during his final days.
A Celebration of Bob's Life will take place on Thursday, August 4, at 10 am at The Toledo Club, 235 14th Street, Toledo.
Memorial gifts can be directed to The Robert W. and Karen W. Lucas Ohio History Marker Fund at OhioHistory.org or a charity of the donor's choice.
