Robert E. Columber

1943 - 2016

Robert E. Columber

MARION: Robert E. Columber, age 73, of Marion, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2016 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. On September 21, 1943, he was born to the late Helen (Temple) and Walter Columber, and on October 14, 1972, he married his wife Carol L. Nelson at the Emanuel Lutheran Church.

Robert graduated from LaRue High School in 1961, and he later graduated from Heidelberg University with a BS in Allied Health Science. He attended Central Michigan University and graduated with an MA in Health Care Administration. He served in the US Army at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC. He worked at Marion General Hospital for 42 years, beginning his career as Director of School of Radiology, working through numerous administrative position and later retiring from his position as Director of Development for the Marion General Hospital Foundation in 2010.

He was a member of the Noon Kiwanis, holding numerous offices and serving on many committees, including Lt. Governor, Ohio Division II South, from 2008 to 2010. He was also a member of the Garden Club of Marion, TWIG VI, and a past member of the Board of Directors for the Marion Community Credit Union.

He is survived by his wife Carol; his son Eric and Kelley Columber and their children Ellis and Frances; his daughter Dr. Heather Columber Scowden, and David Scowden, and their children Adam and Abigail; his brother William (Sandy) Columber; and his mother-in-law Fredericka (Fritzie) Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his brother Vernon Columber, his sister Nancy Higginbotham, and his father-in-law Alden Nelson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 1 PM at the Marion Salem United Methodist Church, 1640 Salem Road Caledonia, Ohio, officiated by Pastor Beth Mansperger. The family will receive friends after the service. There will be a private family graveside at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network Development Office at 1575 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, 02138; the Marion Noon Kiwanis Scholarship Fund at PO Box 0170, Marion, OH, 43302; or the Cherie Wall Scholarship Fund for Radiology Students at Marion General Hospital Foundation at 1000 McKinley Park Dr., Marion, OH, 43302.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.boydbornfuneralhome.com.