Robert (Bob) Emery Lynch

Robert (Bob) Lynch peacefully passed away on April 6, 2024, in Tavares, Florida surrounded by family. Bob was born in Rochester, New York in 1933. The family moved to Grafton, Ohio in 1938. He attended and graduated in 1951 from Grafton High School, where he excelled as a member of the basketball team. As a result, in 2005 he was inducted into Midview's Athletic Hall of Fame. Bob was drafted into the Army in 1953 and was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. He was eventually deployed to Korea and was a veteran of The Korean War. After his discharge, he attended The Cooper School of Art in Cleveland and spent the next ten years employed by various advertising agencies. He was eventually hired at The Chronicle Telegram in Elyria, Ohio as their Art Director. During his years with The Chronicle Telegram, he illustrated news stories, had a weekly cartoon strip, did sports drawings and courtroom sketches. He received several commendations from local police departments for his composite sketches. During his time at The Chronicle, he presented many programs to schools, churches and various civic organizations teaching drawing techniques to kids and adults alike. After retiring in 1994 from the newspaper, he later returned to continue as the Editorial Cartoonist. Over the years, he was honored with numerous awards from both The Associated Press and The Cleveland Press Club. Bob was a past member and recipient of the Service Award for The Elyria Sports Hall of Fame. He proudly served six years as Advertising Director for the Lorain County Fair Board and assisted in handling many of the Grandstand Entertainers during his tenure with the Fair Board. He was always an advocate of Community Service and had actively participated in the following organizations: Lorain County Multiple Sclerosis Association, The North Eaton Volunteer Fire Department, AMVETS Post 1992, Eustis, Florida, Midview High School Make a Difference Hall of Honor (2012), Founding Member of the Grafton History Association, Life Member at VFW Elyria Post 1079, American Legion Elyria Post 12, Manager and coach for Grafton Hot Stove baseball teams for eight years, United Way and YMCA Fund Drives and Past member of the Lorain County 4-H Endowment Board. Bob was a vital member of the Grafton-Midview Kiwanis Club for 40 years. He served as Lt. Governor of the 13th Division (Lorain County, Ohio) in 1971-1972. He was elected to the Office of Governor of the Ohio District in 1983-1984. Following that, he served as an International Chairman for ten years. He later became a member of the Kiwanis Club of Eustis, Florida. In February of 2011, Bob received a Distinguished Service Award in Recognition of Outstanding Leadership and Service from the Eustis Kiwanis Club. Bob was a member and past elder at North Eaton Christian Church in Ohio and was also a member of CompassLife Church in Tavares, Florida. He was a loving husband and is survived by his wife of 68 years, Janet. Their children are Jeff (Coni) Lynch, Debra Lynch, Patricia (Mark) Meldrum, and Barbara (Mark) Pragg. And proud grandparent of grandchildren, Amy (Scott) Kuhn, Jared (JP) Lynch and Joshua (Monica) Meldrum. And beloved great grandchildren, Harper, Camryn, and Malcolm. And his dear friend, Richard Llewellyn of Elyria, Ohio. 

Bob will be remembered for his natural artistic talent, his great sense of humor, and dedication to his family. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 4 p.m. at CompassLife Church, Tavares, Florida. The family encourages everyone to share their fond memories of Bob at his Celebration of Life.

Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, Florida.