Robert "Bob" Maynard

Robert Howell Maynard, 87, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2025, after a very brief illness. Robert was the eldest son of Lillian Isabel and William Maynard and older brother to William (Bill) Maynard. Bob was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1938. He graduated from El Reno High School in Oklahoma, where he played flute in the band and was a National Merit Scholar. He earned a Bachelor of Law degree from Baylor University, where he also met his wife and mother of their four children, Joan Marie Pearson. They were married in Texas in 1961.

Bob joined the United States Navy in 1962 and earned an advanced law degree in the Navy JAG Corps from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. In 1965, Bob went to work as an attorney for the U.S. Department of the Interior and later held a similar role at the Justice Department. He subsequently became a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Thomas Eagleton of Missouri, with whom he helped write the federal Clean Air and Water Acts.

Bob and his family later moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he worked as an attorney at Smith & Schnacke. He was appointed Director of the Ohio EPA under Governor Dick Celeste in 1983, before relocating to Columbus to become Partner at the Law Offices of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease.

Although he officially retired in 2007, Bob continued working in various capacities, including as Senior Advisor to the Chinese Flagship Program at Ohio State University, where he met Huanzhen Zhao. They married in 2012 and moved to Pickerington, where they enjoyed gardening and caring for their dog, many cats, and chickens. Though he wasn't much for leisure, Bob found joy in sailing, traveling, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, The Columbus Museum of Art Sessions Society, watching baseball, and cooking and baking. He and Huanzhen took over Soodles Bake Shop and provided top 9 allergen free baked goods to their many loyal customers.

Until the very last weeks of his life, Bob continued to work, tirelessly advocating for the environmental and political causes he was most passionate about.

Bob is survived by his wife, Huanzhen Zhao; his children, Greg Maynard, Patricia Breland, Alicia Maynard, and Elizabeth Compton; step-daughter, Lynn Rich; and grandchildren, Andrew Maynard, Malcolm Compton, and Zephyr Compton.

A memorial service will be held at Pfeifer-Woodyard Funeral Home in Reynoldsburg, Ohio on Friday, November 14, from 1–3 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lake Erie Waterkeeper Alliance in Toledo, Ohio.

Pfeifer Woodyard Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.