Robert Godfrey Arend

Arend, Robert Godfrey age 81, of Upper Arlington, Ohio, passed away on July 19, 2011, at the Sunrise on the Scioto. Affectionately known as "Buckeye Bob", he was born June 20, 1030 in Canton, Ohio. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Carl L. Arend and Florence Arend, and brother, Carl J. Arend. He is survived by son, Todd Arend (Maria); daughter, Amy Jones (James); grandchildren, Katherine, Alexandra, Jackson Godfrey, Sally; and nephew, Tom Arend. Bob graduated from the Ohio State University in 1952 with a BS in Business. He was a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and served at the Bolling Air Force Base in Washington DC for two years. He married Barbara Wise on June 13, 1953 in Bexley, Ohio. Bob returned to the Ohio State University and attained an MBA degree in 1956. Bob began his career with Archer Daniels Midland in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1957. He worked with Northwestern Refining Company for many years, where he was a US Congressional lobbyist, in Washington DC. In the early 1970's, Bob was Senior Vice President with Normark Corporation, where he headed the tremendous success and growth of the Finnish made Fiskars Scissors North America. Bob was known throughout the industry as "Mr. Fiskars". In 1982, Bob founded AC Marketech International Ltd., his own sales and marketing company. This company became the largest sales and marketing agency of its kind in the north American Home Sewing Industry. During his 20+ active years, Bob put together a team of loyal long time associates, of which he was extremely proud, one of which was his son, Todd. Bob was a lifetime member of The Ohio State University Alumni Association. He also formed the Minnesota chapter of the OSU Alumni Association. On trips to Minnesota, he hosted Woody and Anne Hayes many times. An active member of mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Bob was head usher for ten years, and president of the mount Olivet Men's Club. A member of the Theta Delta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Bob served as treasurer during undergraduate years. Post graduate, he was a passionate member of the Beta Theta Pi Alumni Association. Bob enjoyed recruiting and hosting distinguished leaders and athletes to speak at the Beta Roundup, including: Presidents Gordon Gee and Brit Kirwan; Athletic Directors Andy Geiger and Gene Smith, Coaches Thad Matta, Jim Tressel, John Cooper and Earl Bruce; OSU greats Archie Griffin, Chris Spielman, Jim Lachey and Clark Kellogg. The Buckeye family was very special to him, and those around him responded to that. One of Bob's passions was serving others and "paying it forward" to scholar athletes and, in general, to The Ohio State University. He honored his favorite Uncle, Ernie Godfrey, Assistant Head Coach under Woody Hayes, by endowing two athletic scholarships. He also recruited and scouted the Minneapolis area for Ohio State Hockey. He was fond of fishing and boating in Minnesota and Canada with family and other close friends. He enjoyed spending time at his place in Sanibel Island, Florida. He greatly enjoyed entertaining his countless friends in the West Lot of the Horseshoe Ohio State Football games. "Hot Damn" was served after every game. he was an avid attendee at OSU Basketball games. The family would like to give a special thanks to the caring staff of Sunrise on the Scioto, the Forum assisted living/nursing facilities, and Vitas and Heartland Hospice. Bob was treated with absolute kindness, dignity and respect. Calling hours will be held from 4-7 PM on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at WEIR-AREND Funeral home, at 4221 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214. A memorial service will be held at First Community Church, located at 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43212, at 10:00 AM on Monday, July 25, 2011. Pastor Jim Long officiating. Private entombment at Greenlawn Mausoleum. Contributions can be made in his name to The Ohio State University Alzheimer's and Dementia Fund: The Ohio State University Medical Center, 660 Ackerman, PO Box 183112, Columbus, Ohio 43218 or The First Community Church Foundation, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43212.