Robert Lloyd Dial

1929 - 2015

Robert Lloyd Dial

Robert Lloyd Dial passed away peacefully on February 18, 2015 among family and friends with the sounds of jazz in the background.

He was born on September 17, 1929 in Marshall, Missouri, the son of the late Henry and Ruth Dial. His formative years were spent growing up in Windsor, Missouri. Family and friends knew him as Dad, Grandpa, and Bob.

Bob is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Sonia Dial. He has a brother, David Edgar Dial. Family consists of son, Robert Stephen Dial of Wilmington, N.C.; daughter, Ruth Ann Dial of Palm Harbor Fla; and stepson, Mark Haggarty and wife Christine of Middlebranch, Ohio. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Chris Dial and wife Kate Burke of Brooklyn, N.Y., Brian Dial and wife Ashleigh of Kansas City, Mo., Matt Cruder and wife Amaryllis of New Port Richey, Fla., Kate Dial of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Christina Cruder of Palm Harbor, Fla. Extended family includes Annette Taylor, Kathleen McKenna, La Saara Bibbs, and Judy Dial. Bob had many friends who meant so much to him throughout his life.

His greatest joy in life was being a teacher for 50 years. He retired as Associate Professor Emeritus in 2000 from The University of Akron after 35 years. During this time, he taught English literature, film studies, and script writing. He also was formerly the Acting Director of Composition, Coordinator of English Communication Center.

Bob served in the Army National Guard and then the Air National Guard between the years of 1947 to 1958 while working on his college degrees. In 1950, he married his first wife, Ann, and two children were to follow. During this time, he held a variety of jobs, including his first teaching position at a high school in Rich Hill, Missouri. He was very happy and proud when he finally obtained his PhD from the University of Missouri in 1963. Moving to Ohio in 1965 with his family, he began many enjoyable years of teaching and making a difference in the lives of many students. For his son and other young jazz musicians, he and a friend started the Akron Jazz Workshop; which gave a start for many of our prominent jazz leaders in the northeastern Ohio region. Both his son and daughter to this day have a love of music and both perform. He married Sonia Dial in 1990, beginning years of romance, travel, and adventure. They would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this year. His sense of humor and calm demeanor prevailed in his daily life, always enjoying intellectual conversations with friends and colleagues. Bob's daily interests included writing poetry, living in a web stream of jazz, and rolling buckeyes down the driveway. And, as the humorous Bob would say, "…and of course, stunt flying."

A celebration of life ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, April 25th from 4 to 7 at Quaker Station in Akron. Donations to the Alzheimer's Association in Bob's name may be provided at the following address or through online payment in honor of his wife, Sonia: Alzheimer's Association, Greater East Ohio Area Chapter, 70 W. Streetsboro St., Suite 201, Hudson, Ohio 44236.