Robert (Bob) P. Lattimer

STOW - Robert P. Lattimer, 80, of Stow, Ohio, went home to his Lord and Savior on October 12, 2025, at Summa Hospital in Akron, Ohio.

Bob was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 2, 1945, to the late William and Elizabeth (Jones) Lattimer. He married his only love, Mary Beth (Downs), on August 21, 1982, at St. Josaphat Catholic Church in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Bob was raised in Raytown, Missouri, and graduated from Raytown High School in 1963. He then earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Missouri in 1967. This was followed by his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Physical Chemistry from the University of Kansas in 1971. Bob then completed a postdoctoral program at the University of Michigan.

The Boy Scouts of America played a huge role in Bob's early life. He joined the Scouts in grade school, attended numerous summer camps and became an Eagle Scout. He later volunteered as a Director of Troop Leader Development, Brownsea and Wood Badge courses for the Boy Scouts.

Bob was honorably discharged from the United States Army in June 1977. He had served for six years in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was certified as a First Lieutenant at the end of his time with the Reserves.

Bob began his career as a chemist in 1977 at BFGoodrich in Brecksville, Ohio. He was in the Chemical Division of the BFG Research Center. BFG later became Noveon and then Lubrizol. Despite these changes, Bob remained at the same location and in the same laboratory through-out his career. He retired from Lubrizol in 2013 as a Senior Technical Fellow. He was known for his research in mass spectrometry and polymer characterization and degradation. He is a past Vice-President of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry. He was also the Vice-Chairman of the 1985 Gordon Research Conference on Analytical Pyrolysis. Bob had 59 articles published in his field and contributed chapters to multiple books.

After retirement, Bob became more politically active. He advocated for pro-family issues through his volunteer work on the Board of Eagle Forum of Ohio. He was a leading expert of Intelligent Design and was a founder of the advocacy group Science Excellence for All Ohioans (SEAO). He later served as the Secretary and President of Citizens for Objective Public Education (COPE).

Bob's family would like to gratefully acknowledge the care given to him by the staff at University Hospital, DaVita Kidney Care, and Summa Hospital.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Mary; two sons, Scott C. Lattimer of Stow, OH, and Paul T. (Micaela) Lattimer of Grove City, OH; two grandchildren, Millicent (Millie) and Asa Lattimer, both of Grove City, OH; one sister, Leda J. (Monte) Miller; two nieces, Melanie Miller and Melinda Hofmeister, and one nephew, Mathew Miller. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and were privileged to call him their husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.

Family and friends are invited to Christ Community Chapel, 750 W. Streetsboro Street, Hudson 44236, on Friday, October 17, 2025, for calling hours at 9:30 AM, memorial service at 10:30 AM, followed by refreshments after the service.

Should family and friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Christ Community Chapel, 750 W. Streetsboro Street, Hudson, OH 44236; Special Olympics Ohio - Summit Hudson, P.O. Box 1141, Hudson, OH 44236; or COPE (greglassey@gmail.com)