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Robert McDorman Obituary
CANAL WINCHESTER: Robert A. "Bob" McDorman, age 82, of Canal Winchester, a 50 year Chevrolet dealer and philanthropist, joined his heavenly Father on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 after a brief illness.
Born June 2, 1932 in Xenia, Ohio to the late James Marlyn and Martha (Bryson) McDorman, he was a 1950 graduate of Madison Rural High School and attended Muskingum College in New Concord. Owner of Bob McDorman Chevrolet from 1965 until 2011, he received many awards for his business and community involvement, including the TIME Magazine Quality Dealer Award in 1978 and 2007, 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Columbus Auto Dealers Association, the Arthritis Foundation Award in 2007, and in 2010 was inducted into the Bloomington Gold Corvette Hall of Fame, in 2012 the National Corvette Museum Hall of Fame, and in 2014 he received the Canal Winchester Pillar of the Community Award after opening the Bob McDorman Automotive Museum the same year.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 34 years, Alice McDorman, "the love of his life"; children, David McDorman, Reynoldsburg, Janice Hurt, Canal Winchester, Shelley (Dave) Landenburg, Canal Winchester, Jeffery Marion, Columbus; grandchildren, Kris and Nick Landenburg; brother, James Marlyn McDorman, Clearwater, FL; sister, Suzanne Reffit, Zephyrhills, FL; mother-in-law, Capitola Meacham; sister-in-law, Judy Bowman; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends may visit 3-7 pm Thursday and Friday at the DWAYNE R. SPENCE FUNERAL HOME, 650 W. Waterloo St., Canal Winchester, and one hour prior to the funeral service 11 am Saturday at David Lutheran Church, 300 Groveport Pike, Canal Winchester, 43110, with Pastors Beth and David Westphal officiating. Interment will follow at Union Grove Cemetery. Friends who wish may contribute to David Lutheran Church or the Wounded Warriors Project in Bob's memory.
Online condolences at www.spencefuneralhome.com
Memories and Condolences
for Robert McDorman
28 Entries
Connie Ballah
June 2, 2015
One of dad's (Bill Green) dearest and closest friends...they did a lot of dealing over the years and were real buddies..I will never forget the night we dedicated the Bill and Tootie Green building at the Madison County Fairgrounds...Bob said he came through Shadesville going about 95mph because he wasn't going to miss it ...lol
Dad and Bob were from the era where a mans word and a handshake were as binding as a contract...he was a wonderful man who helped many...my deepest sympathy and prayers to Alice and the family❤
Karr'yen Jones
June 1, 2015
My sincere heartfelt sympathy to the McDorman family. His legacy shall forever live on for the compassion he showed us all as family members when we purchased our vehicles or went their for service. So glad his historical collection of over 40 unique vehicles are now at the Bob McDorman Automotive Museum in Canal Winchester.
L and T
June 1, 2015
We wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the family. When a friend of mine bought a car from McDorman Chevrolet and it experienced significant mechanical problems a few days after the warranty expired, Mr McDorman ensured that there was no cost to the customer for what might have been significant repair cost. He stood behind the cars he sold / treated others as he would want to be treated. May the God of all comfort( Psalm 83:18 KJ) ease your grief and bring comfort during this difficult time.
Carol Marzetz
May 31, 2015
My deepest sympathy Alice and family. My husband worked for mr McDorman for many years.. I'm. Sure Larry would be very saddened..
Brenda Sheller
May 31, 2015
So very sorry for the loss of Mr McDorman. I'm so glad I got to talk to him last fall, I will always remember his enthusiasm in discussing Corvettes. I hope he and my late husband,Doc are talking 'Vettes in heaven.
Phil and Joyce Bailey
May 31, 2015
Thoughts and prayers to Alice and Family. My family and I have great memories of working at the dealership and for pleasure at the corvette shows that he held. Bob will be sadly missed.
Dave and Reva Daniel
David Daniel
May 31, 2015
I Will NEVER forget the love and compassion he showed me the 38 yr I worked for him.
Ishmael Skaggs
May 30, 2015
My father, Ish Skaggs, worked for Bob back in the 70's. Over the years we bought many Chevys from McDormans feeling like we were working directly with Bob. It was always a joy to see him around town and I know my Dad enjoyed anytime he had a chance to visit with him. On behalf of my parents and my husband and I please except our deepest sympathy. Mr McDorman will be greatly missed by many. Brenda Blythe (Ish Skaggs Family)
Jessie & Lexi Taylor
May 30, 2015
To The McDorman Family: What an icon Mr. McDorman was. Never cheated anyone of his customers. Never had to listen to any phoney commercials on television. You will be missed Mr. Mcdorman. Our prayers to the Family.
Ishmael Skaggs
May 30, 2015
My father, Ish Skaggs, worked for Bob back in the seventies. We purchased many cars at McDormans and felt as though we were dealing directly with Bob. I always enjoyed seeing Bob around the community and I know my Dad enjoyed anytime he had a chance to visit with him. We are so sorry for your family's loss and for Canal Winchester's loss. Brenda Blythe. (Ish Skaggs and Family)
joe salvatore
May 30, 2015
my heart goes out to the family. My father bought his first new car from mr. mcdorman in 1970, I was a little kid 11 yrs old. I went to all his car shows 30 yrs plus. I felt the passion with corvettes owned 40 yrs.He's in heaven now I'll think of him when I out in my vette driving.
Charlotte Crist
May 30, 2015
My sincere condolences to you Alice and your family. Both you and Mr McDorman were so kind and gave me a start on a working career. I often wonder when I travel through Kentucky on I65 if any of the vintage and sometimes totaled Corvettes that Bob purchased was in the Corvette Museum. Many fond memories of working at the dealership as it was exciting with those last minute checks that had to be typed. May your grief be sustained with the memories of your life together.
Bob was a true lengend
May 30, 2015
So sorry for your loss Alice and family , just know that Bob was a true legend and was loved by all that knew him , he certainly will be missed ,
Melissa Hysell (Bowers)
May 30, 2015
Bob was definitely a local legend. I am grateful for the several years of employment I had with his company. My thoughts are with the family as they lay him down to rest. I'm betting there will be a pretty awesome funeral procession, Corvettes and all.
Nathan Sheets
May 29, 2015
Mr. McDorman made the world a better place. He touched the lives of many people. My condolences to all of the McDorman family.
wilma ward
May 29, 2015
Sorry for the loss of your husband Alice i use to work for him a good while ago he was a sweet heart my heart goes out to you and the family my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time so sorry
Nathan Sheets
May 29, 2015
Mr. McDorman made the world a better place. He touched the lives of many people. My condolences to all of the McDorman family.
May 29, 2015
so sorry for Bobs passing my thoughts and prayers will be with the family
Rosie Voorhies
Rod Farris
May 29, 2015
Bob & Alice,
Thank you for your many years of friendship and support for Farris Frame Restorations. You will be missed.
Gloria and Clint Gibson
May 29, 2015
So sorry for the loss of Bob Mcdorman. I worked for him at his dealership for years. He was so kind to me,always said hello. he was a kind man.
Brent D. Houck
May 29, 2015
I, like thousands appreciated Bob so much. A true legend and gentleman. My heart aches for the McDorman family.
DAVE AND REVA
DAVIE DANIEL
May 28, 2015
WILL NEVER FOR GET THE LOVE AND COMPASSION HE SHOWED ON ME THE 38 YEARS I WORKED FOR HIM . LOVE YOU ALICE AND FAMILY
Damon & Linda Sheridan
May 28, 2015
I will miss seeing Bob at the Dealership. He will be remembered for all that he had done for our family.
Gene & Sue SKAGGS
May 28, 2015
Instead of working"for" Bob I felt like I was working with a friend and he was a good friend over the years. We spent time talking about the "good ole days" and we both enjoyed it.
We will truly miss him as will the Canal Winchester community and those he helped.
He was certainly "one of a kind"
The evening Bob was inducted into the National Corvette Museum Hall of Fame.
Mark & Karen Thomas
May 28, 2015
So sorry to hear of Bob's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during these very difficult times. Bob was one of a kind!!! He will be missed by all who knew him.
Reed Weaver
May 28, 2015
Deep sympathy,for entire Mcdorman family.
Eric & Brenda Schmidt
May 28, 2015
Our condolences to his family, Bob was a great man, he will be missed! God bless him and the family at this difficult time.
Penny Bailey-Giesemamn
May 28, 2015
Our deepest sympathy goes to the McDorman Family. Thinking of everyone at this time. Cherish all the great memories.
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Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home - Canal Winchester650 West Waterloo Street, Canal Winchester, OH 43110
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