Robert "Bob" J. Weisgarber

Robert "Bob" Weisgarber, 90, of Jackson Township, passed away with family at his side on July 27, 2026.

Bob was born on April 11, 1936 to John and Pearl (Brinker) Weisgarber in Massillon, OH.

Bob graduated from Massillon High School, Class of 1954, where he served as class vice president and student director of the band. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University, Class of 1958, where he was a four-year member of the marching and concert bands, a four-year member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and a two-year member of the Student Union Board.

After college, Bob taught at Jackson before volunteering for the Navy's Officer Candidate School. He spent three years on active duty aboard the USS Hancock (CVA-19) as a bridge watch stander and assistant navigator, then served 18 more years in the Naval Reserves, retiring as a Commander after ending his military career as Commanding Officer of Akron Reserve Division 4-27. It was during his Navy years, in Long Beach, California, that Bob looked up Jane Howells, Massillon High School Class of 1955. They were married in Massillon on December 1, 1962 and shared 52 years of marriage until Jane's passing in 2015.

After the Navy, Bob returned to Jackson to teach social studies and coach basketball until 1966, then built a career in industrial engineering, serving as an Industrial Engineering Manager at the Hoover Company until 1978 and at Rubbermaid as an Industrial Engineering Manager and Manufacturing Planner until his retirement in 1998.

Bob served 28 years as an elected member of the Jackson Local Board of Education, from 1973 to 2001, including seven terms as board president. During his tenure he helped guide the construction of Jackson High School, the Center for Performing Arts, and Strausser Elementary, and the district grew into one of the premier school districts in Ohio and the nation. Bob was a 49-year member of the Jackson Township Lions Club, where he served as president; a board member of the American Red Cross Western Stark County Chapter for 34 years, including five as chairman; a volunteer for the Pro Football Hall of Fame festivities for 42 years; and a member of the American Legion, the VFW, the Retired Officers Associations, and the USS Hancock Association. Bob and Jane loved to travel, and he treasured time with his family and his lifelong friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Jane (Howells) Weisgarber; his daughter, Laura Lee Weisgarber; his parents, John and Pearl Weisgarber; and his brother, Dick Weisgarber.

Bob is survived by his sister, Margaret Myers; his sons, Patrick (Kathy) Weisgarber and Eric (Sarah) Weisgarber; his grandchildren, Mason, Morgan (Dan), Mitchell, Jack, and Beau; and his great-grandson, Jay, and great-grand-daughter, Josie.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026 from 12:00pm-1:00pm with a memorial service following at the Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home, Massillon, Ohio. Inurnment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jackson Township Lions Club or the American Red Cross Western Stark County Chapter.