Robert E. Dalton, Jr., age 74, of Westerville, Ohio passed from this earth to a better place on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, after a short battle with the terrible Corona virus at Mount Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital. He was born on May 4, 1946, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to the late Robert E. Dalton and Leslie M. Dalton (Hubbard). On December 1, 1973, he married his beloved Ronda K. Cheek and she survives in Westerville, Ohio. Other survivors include his daughter Tiffany K. Yamini (Dalton) and her husband Anthony A. Yamini of Kennesaw, Georgia; son Nicholas D. Dalton and his wife Danielle S. Dalton (Roserie) of Westerville, Ohio; grandson Liam D. Dalton of Westerville, Ohio; sister Shirley Robinson (Dalton) of South Euclid, Ohio; Sister-in-law Monica G. White (Cheek) and brother-in-law William J. White of Lutz, Florida; Sister-in-law Brenda A. Mallory (Cheek) and brother-in-law George L. Mallory, Jr. of Los Angeles, California; life-long friend Harvey Alston of Westerville, Ohio, and many cousins in Columbus and Athens, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Robert and Leslie Dalton, his in-laws Quintin V. Cheek and Mary V. Cheek (Neal) and grandson Zayn A. Yamini of Kennesaw, Georgia. Robert was a 1964 graduate of Columbus East High School in Columbus, Ohio. Directly following graduation, he enlisted in the US Navy where he proudly served for 4 1/2 years. Robert was a Navy Radioman. After being honorably discharged, Robert furthered his education at Ohio University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1972. Following graduation Robert began his professional life as a cable repair foreman at Ohio Bell, later known as AT&T. He moved up the ranks in the firm as an Assistant Plant Manager and finally landing a position as a Senior Project Manager of New Product Development. His great relationships with his work colleagues developed into lifelong friendships. Throughout Robert and Ronda’s 47-year marriage they both defied stereotypes and conventional limitations of the time. Robert was one of the original “Mr. Moms” to his two children while his wife traveled around the country for work. His parenting accomplishments included being a Girl Scout leader, a golf coach, and president of the Westerville North High School Color Guard Boosters. He was an avid golfer and member of The Medallion Club for 26 years. He was also an amateur landscaper who was always finding new and exciting ways to enhance his yard. His favorite place to relax was on the deck or practicing his short game on the putting green in his backyard. After retiring from AT&T in 1999 Robert decided to pursue his life-long dream of being an entrepreneur by founding Delightful Delights, LLC (DDC). Under his leadership, DDC put on extraordinary catering events and provided vending services to some of Columbus’ largest companies, universities and organizations. He also received recognition from the Columbus Regional Airport Authority’s office of Business Diversity for being ranked by Columbus Business First as one of the top 50 minority owned businesses in Central Ohio. Robert woke up each morning with a smile on his face and delighted in providing his customers with high quality food and superior customer service. DDC gave him the opportunity to work with his son and long-time friend Gary L. Sims for many years. Everyone who met Robert was influenced by his infectious positive attitude. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike. Due to the national health concerns of COVID-19, Robert’s family has elected to hold his celebration of life service in the summer of 2021. The family is thankful for all the love, support and condolences that continue to be given. They hope you will join them when the current health, social, and emotional climate improve. Diehl-Whittaker Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to care for Robert and his family.