Robert Pinkley

Robert Kenneth "Bob" Pinkley passed away Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 5:40 am at the Laurels of Norworth in Worthington, following a nearly two decade battle with renal cancer.

Bob was born September 17, 1955 in Ashland, Ohio, son of Joe G. and Wilma Heifner Pinkley.

Bob graduated from Ashland High School Class of 1973. Following graduation, he was employed as a movie projectionist at numerous theaters in North Central Ohio, as well as at the Ashland University maintenance department.

Bob enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard on November 30, 1979, one day after his sister enlisted in the Ohio Air National Guard.

Bob designed and ran stage and theatre lighting for Ashland High School musicals, May Fiestas, Ashland Symphony Orchestra concerts, Miss Ohio Scholarship Pageants including numerous choral presentations produced with his wife, sons, and community friends.

During May Fiesta 1982, he met his wife-to-be, Denice "Dee" Kestner. They married June 18, 1983 at Clear Creek Church of Christ and were blessed with 42 years together filled with many wonderful memories, especially their recent anniversary trip to Cincinnati/Kentucky for an Ohio Riverboat Cruise and Dinner Train excursion.

Bob received a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Engineering in 1990 from Ashland University in conjunction with Hocking University.

He was employed with the Ohio Department of Transportation serving as a traffic signal electrician and highway lighting technician for both District 3 (Ashland) and District 6 (Delaware) before retiring in 2025 with 30 years of dedicated service.

Bob will always be remembered for his passion for his family, his unwavering support of his church home, and his selfless dedication to numerous church and community projects. He was a civil servant to his core. One of the many examples would be his design and build of the original equipment trailer for the Ashland High School Marching Band (2004). He was always looking for ways to engage with his family, friends, and community.

Although moving to Westerville in 2017 to be closer to family, Ashland was always home in Bob's heart. He was an avid fan of Arrow and AU athletics and continued to follow both programs through the years. He also enjoyed watching PGA golf and relished attending the Memorial Tournament in Dublin with family.

Bob is survived by his wife, Dee, two sons, Curtis Warren, and Christopher Glen (Katie Hobbs), two grandchildren, Lilliana Lynn, and Leland Hobbs who lovingly called him Papa, and one sister Jane "Pink" Pinkley (Natalie Snarr).

He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant siblings, Leland and Virginia.

The family would like to thank The Laurels of Norworth and Echo Hospice of Ohio for the outstanding care and compassion given not only to Bob in his final days but after his passing to his wife and children.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 12:00 pm on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at Roberts Funeral Home/Ashland Memorial Park, 1058 US 250 N., Ashland, with Pastor Jared Smeltzer and Pastor Ben Roby officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service. Afterward, family and friends are invited to a celebration of life lunch in Mitchell Hall at Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 Center Street, Ashland.

The family requests ALL memorial donations be made in Bob's name to Ashland High School's Band and Theatre Departments at 1440 King Road, Ashland, OH 44805.