Robert Marvin Counts

TROY - Robert Marvin Counts, age 82, of Troy, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013, at Upper Valley Medical Center, Troy. He was born on Nov. 5, 1930, in Troy, to the late George Lewis and Edna Mae (Furrow) Counts. His wife of 63 years, Joan Charlotte (Minnich) Counts, survives.
He is also survived by his three daughters, Linda Leigh (David) Baehr of Riverside, Calif., Roberta Sue (Paul) Gearhardt of Casstown, Ohio, and Carol Ann Counts (partner, Mr. Lynn Davis) of Maple Leaf, Ontario, Canada; son, Douglas Allen (Ann Marie) Counts of North Olmsted, Ohio; two sisters, Phyllis Jean (Wayne) Morrett and Nancy Louise (Marvin) Anderson, all of Troy; 10 grandchildren, James (Heather) Blair of Dayton, Ohio, Brad Blair of Troy, William Blair of Mesa, Ariz., Cynthia Rose (Mark) of St. Paris, Ohio, Joshua (Jennie) Gearheardt of Piqua, Ohio, Robert (Dawn) Johns of Fredrickton, New Brunswick, Canada, Timothy (Samantha) Johns of Telkwa, British Columbia, Canada, Rachel Counts of North Royalton, Ohio, Rory Counts of Parma, Ohio, and Tyler Counts of North Olmsted, Ohio; and 15 great-grandchildren, Ethan, Aidan, Christopher, Alyssa, Johnathan, Timothy, Emma, Aaron, Cael, Allison, Ashlyn, Haley, Carson, Findlay and Piper.
In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brother, George Richard "Buddy" Counts.
Bob graduated from Troy High School in 1948. He attended Bliss Business College in Columbus, Ohio, studying Business Administration. He left to enter the U.S. Army where he served from Jan. 14, 1949, to Oct. 8, 1951. He also took certificate courses at Ohio State University, Wright State University, Wittenberg University and Edison State College.
Bob was appointed Fireman on March 24, 1952. He started his career at the old firehouse on South Market Street, Troy, located next to City Hall. He was promoted to Lieutenant on April 1, 1961; Acting Chief on Oct. 1, 1965; and finally, he was appointed to Fire Chief on Nov. 22, 1965. At the time of his appointment, he was one of Ohio's youngest Fire Chiefs. Having retired on April 4, 1999, Chief Counts' firefighting career spanned 47 years, which was an outstanding record of public service, and seldom equaled in time of service. He was recognized throughout the Miami Valley, the state, the nation and beyond, for his expertise in firefighting, fire safety, EMS services and disaster preparedness. He brought recognition to the Fire Department, the field of firefighting, and City of Troy, as well as himself.
His Fire Chiefs Association Memberships include the following: member and Past President of the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association; member and Past Trustee of the Southwest Ohio Fire Chiefs Association; member and Past President of the Miami County Fire Chiefs Association; member of the National Fire Protection Association; member of B.O.C.A; member of the Factory Mutual Fire Advisory Group; member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs; and he served in numerous leadership roles of the I.A.F.C., including Treasurer for eight years.
His state and local appointments include: an appointment by the Governor in July of 1978 to fill an unexpired term on the Ohio Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council, where he was reappointed to a full three-year term on Sept. 1, 1980; he was a member of the Ohio Board of Regents Paramedic Advisory Committee, Ohio Emergency Medical Services Board, E-911 Planning Committee (Miami County), Miami County Communications Board of Directors, Chairman of Miami County Communications Board of Directors 1994-1999, and member of Local Emergency Preparedness Committee.
In 1987, Chief Counts received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association in recognition of exceptional leadership and devoted service to the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association, as well as the Outstanding Squad Member Award from Upper Valley Medical Center for dedicated service and leadership with the Miami County area's Emergency Medical Services. He was also a member of the Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame.
Bob was involved in many committees and leadership roles in the community and continued to serve as Chairman on Troy's Civil Service Board. He was a 45-year member and Past Master of Franklin Lodge No. 14 F&AM; member of Franklin Chapter No. 24 Royal Arch Masons of Ohio; member of Franklin Council No. 14 Royal and Select Masons of Ohio; member of Coleman Commandery No. 17; member and Past Sovereign Master of Alpha Council No. 97 Allied Masonic Degrees; member of Order of Eastern Star Chapter No. 256, Troy; member of AASR Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Valley of Dayton 33rd Degree; member of Antioch Shrine, Dayton, Ohio; and member of Troy Elks Lodge BPOE No. 833. He coached Troy Little League Football for more than 10 years and was a member of the First United Church of Christ, Troy.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013 at the First United Church of Christ, 120 S. Market St., Troy, with the Rev. Lauren Allen officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Troy, with Veterans Memorial Honor Guard and Fire Department Honor Guard at the graveside.
Friends may call from 1-8 p.m. Monday, with Masonic Services at 7:30 p.m., all at the Baird Funeral Home, Troy.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Miami County, P.O. Box 502, Troy, OH 45373 or the Backpack Program or Share-a-Meal Program at the First United Church of Christ, 120 S. Market St., Troy, OH 45373.
Friends may express condolences to the family through www.bairdfuneralhome.com.