Robert Thomas "Bob" Coleman

Robert Thomas "Bob" Coleman, 68, of Rogers, Ark., died Monday, March 20, 2023, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock after a long illness. He was born on Dec. 22, 1954, in New Haven, Conn., to Thomas Ellis and Jane Bernadette (Emond) Coleman. Bob grew up attending Catholic schools, graduating from Marquette University with a bachelor's in journalism. As a photojournalist for nearly 40 years, his career took him eventually to Northwest Arkansas, where he worked for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
He started his own business as a freelance photographer in 2009, with clients including Walmart and AY and Citiscapes magazines. In 2020, he earned his FAA drone pilot certification and expanded his business to include aerial photography and video. Bob enjoyed riding his Suzuki Boulevard through the region's backroads, especially in the Jasper area and Eureka Springs, always looking for old structures and other scenery to photograph. His real love, though, was music, and he was best known in Northwest Arkansas as a blues musician. He started playing the harmonica at age 5 and grew into a much-sought-after performer. Bob played with bands including Leah and the Mojo Doctors, Minus Bob, the duo JC/BC and, since 2010, the Downtown Livewires. He competed several times at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and served a term as president of the Ozark Blues Society of Northwest Arkansas. He played on several recordings and appears in YouTube videos.
He also sang and played guitar. In recent years, he leaned into his Irish heritage, learning Celtic tunes on the guitar and tin whistle. As a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers, Ark., Bob volunteered in several ministries. As a eucharistic minister, he brought Communion to Catholic patients at Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas.
He went on two mission trips to St. Vincent's sister parish in Bombardopolis, Haiti, documenting in photos the daily lives of the people attending the school and church that St. Vincent parishioners helped build. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and a subgroup of motorcycle riders called Knights on Bikes.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother Mary Roth Coleman; aunt Thail Coleman King; cousin James Roth, husband of Marilyn Roth of Guilford, Conn.; and beloved cats L'il Bit and Fiona.
He is survived by his wife, Serenah McKay, of Rogers; aunts Bernice Johndro of Wolcott, Conn., and Pauline Emond of Caribou, Maine; and many cousins, including Lori Ann Landry and husband, Allen, of Bristol, Conn.; Michele Harrington and husband, Richard, of Big Cove Tannery, Penn.; Matthew Emond, also of Bristol; Moira King McCormick and husband, Kevin, of Hamden, Conn.; John King and wife, Barbara, of North Haven, Conn.; John Roth and wife, Judith, of Madison, Conn.; Deborah Roth of Branford, Conn.; Linda Roth Mathews of West Haven, Conn.; Carol Jerolman and husband, George, of Hamden, Conn.; John Vets and wife, Louise, also of Hamden; Edward Vets and wife, Cheryl, of Riverview, Fla.; and another special cat, Iggy.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Rogers at 10 a.m. Friday, March 31, preceded by a rosary at 9 a.m. Bob's cremains will be interred near his mother at Beaverdale Memorial Park in New Haven. Arrangements by Benton County Funeral Home, 306 N. 4th, Rogers. Online condolences to www.bentoncountyfuneralhome.com