Robert Marihugh

DEFIANCE - Chief Robert L. "Bob" Marihugh, 76, of Defiance, passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio.

He was born on October 8, 1945, to the late Amos and Gladys (Frisinger) Marihugh in Defiance, Ohio. Bob proudly served his country as a Fire Protection Specialist in the U. S. Air Force from 1964-68 during the Vietnam War. On December 30, 2001, he married Susie (Nagel) Marihugh who survives.

In 1968, Bob received a meritorious citation from the 513th Airlift Command for designing and building a vehicle to foam runways. In 1974 he invented the "water winch" which is used in rural water supply and was featured in Fire Engineering. Bob is an honor graduate of the U.S. Air Force Crash and Rescue and Structural Firefighting Training School at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois. He was a full-time firefighter with the City of Defiance in 1968. His promotions date from lieutenant in 1970, captain in 1978 and fire chief in 1981. He is a court-qualified fire origin and cause expert, and was the 1997 Ohio Distinguished Service Award Recipient. Bob is a certified fire investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI). Most recently he served as a planning committee member for the Ohio Arson School, Inc. and Northwest Ohio Regional Arson School, Inc. Bob was instrumental in the Northwestern Ohio Volunteer Fireman's Association, where he was president from 1983-84 and awarded instructor of the year in 1979. He was the founder of the NOVFA Antique Fire Muster in 1983. Bob was a past president of Ohio Chapter IAAI, served on the chapter's board of directors, and has authored articles in Fire Engineering and Claims.

Bob was a member of Eagles Aerie 372, VFW Post 3360, AMVETS Post 1991 and The Defiance Optimists Club. He enjoyed golf, going to the lake and WWII history. He loved his dogs, Morgan and Sir Charles, and had a true passion of eating popcorn. Bob had many good friends and colleagues, and will be greatly missed.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Susie, and three sons, David (Casie) Marihugh of Bryan, Ohio, Doug Marihugh of Grand Rapids, Ohio, and Dale (Kristi) Bauer of Swanton, Ohio. He also leaves behind five grandchildren, Liam, Paige and Reaghan Marihugh, Merissa Bell and Katie Baerlin, two great-grandchildren, and his sisters, Mert (Roger) Grogg and Darlene Meade, all of Defiance.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Amos E. Marihugh and Edward Marihugh.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 2 p.m. at the Defiance Eagles. Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to Fort Defiance Humane Society. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.