Robert Foster Bates Jr.
Robert “Bob” Foster Bates Jr. (Bob), age 81, of Newbury Township, passed away peacefully on Dec. 27, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family.
Family and friends are invited to gather before funeral services on Jan. 13, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, at the church vestibule, with services immediately following, at St Helen’s Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury, with Father Jay McPhillips officiating.
A private family burial will follow at Newbury Center Cemetery, 14915 Auburn Road, Newbury.
Bob was born at St Luke’s Hospital in Shaker Heights to Robert F. Sr. and Eleanor D. (nee Stanis) Bates, on Sept. 6, 1942.
He went to school at St. Rita School in Solon before attending Newbury Jr./Sr. High School. Here he met and fell in love with this wife of 63 years, Carole J. (nee Lewis) Bates. They married on July 16, 1960, at St Rita’s Catholic Church in Solon.
Bob worked initially as a laborer and then a master mechanic for Horvitz Construction in Independence, Ohio, from the age of 17 until the company closed in the late 1980s. He continued to be employed in the construction field as a master mechanic until he retired in 2003.
He was a member of the Ohio Operating Engineer’s, Local 18, union for 50 years, where he had numerous co-workers and developed deep friendships.
Bob’s true passion when he was young was stock car racing and he always loved to do anything mechanical and could fix anything. Everyone came to him to fix their vehicles and their equipment. If Bob couldn’t fix it, no one could.
Bob always had time for everyone and never turned anyone down that asked for help.
He was involved in snowmobile clubs and was an avid traveler. He and Carole traveled the world together enjoying the sites and each other.
Truly, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his treasures. He adored them, and they him.
Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Robert F. Sr. and Eleanor D. (nee Stanis) Bates; in-laws, Ralph and Bernice (Dick) Lewis; sister, Eloise Kuhen; daughter Robbin; nephews, Alan Bates and Thomas Lewis; and brother-in-law Thomas Lewis.
Bob is survived by his wife, Carole J. (nee Lewis) Bates; children, Robert Bates III (Roberta), Theresa Boughner (Steven), Timothy Bates (Paula) and Rebecca Bates; brother, Alan Bates (Joyce); brother-in-law, Richard Kuhen; sister-in-law, Diana (Lewis) Butler (Ronald); grandchildren, Steven Boughner (Krista), Brian Boughner (Alexandria), Shawn Boughner (Chelsea), Robert (Beau) Bates IV, Hannah Bates, Timothy Bates and Conner Bates; great-grandchildren, Lauren, Lucas, Logan, Graham and Lillian Boughner; and all his nieces and nephews, whom he loved and adored as if they were his own children.
Flowers can be sent directly to St Helen’s Church, or in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Robert Bates to the Epilepsy Foundation of Ohio in memory of his daughter Robbin Bates.
The family of Bob Bates wishes to extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to the team at the Hospice of the Western Reserve, as well as the team at University Hospitals Geauga Internal Medicine, in Newbury, and the Newbury Volunteer Fire Department for always being there when needed.
Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.slyffh.com.
