Robert Arthur “Bob” Fetters, age 85, of Chillicothe, died Feb. 1, 2021 at National Church Residences following complications from Covid-19 and Parkinson’s. Born September 19, 1935 in Highland, Ohio, the son of Truman Merl and Pauline Estelle (Powell) Fetters. On June 2, 1957 in Chillicothe, he married his high school sweetheart, Bernice Marvene Dearth, who preceded him March 14th, 2009.

He is survived by son Robert A.(Janet) Fetters, Jr., daughter Brendy L. Fetters all of Chillicothe, daughter Bambi L.(Vince) Billock of Bellbrook, OH; Grandchildren: Amber, Rachael  and Vincent Matthew Billock.  Also surviving are brother William A.(Becky) Fetters, sisters Bonita “Bunny” (Keith) Rittinger and Belinda Stotridge, all of Chillicothe and sister Beverly (David) Johnson of Chattanooga, TN, brothers and sisters-in-law: Barbara (Ed) Halterman of  Washington C.H., OH, Stella Dearth of North Huntingder, PA, Bernard F.(Hilda) Dearth of Stoutsville, OH, and Beverly Burroughs of Circleville, OH.  His parents, infant brother Roger Albert Fetters, beloved sister Barbara Nichols and brothers-in-laws C. Denver Nichols, Glenn Stotridge, Robert L. Dearth, Jr., Bud Burroughs also preceded him in death.  Bob left many cousins, nieces, nephews, great and great, great nieces and nephews. As a family history researcher, he also identified Many extended cousins that he became acquainted with over the years.

Robert was Valedictorian of his 1953 Centralia (now Zane Trace) H.S. class in Ross County, Ohio. He played trombone in the 1953 All Ohio Boys State Fair Band and was a four-year member of the marching band at Miami University (Ohio).  Bob was a 1957 graduate of Miami University earning a BA in Chemistry; he did graduate work in Physical Chemistry at Michigan State University and earned an Executive Masters of Business Administration (EMBA) from Ohio University in 1979.  During his undergraduate days at Miami, he served in the Student Senate, was a member of Phi Eta Sigma (Scholastic Honorary), Gamma Theta Phi (Chemistry Honorary and founding President on the Miami University campus), Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honorary), Lambda Chi Alpha (a social fraternity), and Omicron Delta Kappa (a Leadership Honorary).  He taught Physical Chemistry while at Michigan State University and later, Production Management at Ohio University Chillicothe. 

After working briefly for Dupont in Muskegon, Michigan as a plant chemist, he returned to Chillicothe in 1958 to work for Mead.  He started working as a Senior Research Chemist later holding various technical management positions.  An innovator, Robert was granted over 20 US patents in paper, paperboard production and packaging.  He retired as Manager of Product Safety from Mead Corporation in 1996, after 37 years of service but continued as a Consultant to Mead, Mead Westvaco, New Page and Glatfelter Companies for the next 20 years.  He was a member of American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM),  Paper Industry Management Association (PIMA), serving  as President of the Ohio Chapter in 1970, TAPPI (The Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry), in which he served as Education Chairman in the Miami Valley of Ohio for several years. 

Bob was a member of  Trinity United Methodist Church and he served for several years on the Administrative Council, and as a member and Chair of the Finance Committee. 

Bob was a life long Scout and Scouter (BSA).  He held the Eagle Scout and Silver Beaver Awards, the Woodbadge Beads, and was Council Scoutmaster at the 1964 National Jamboree in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  He was a Vigil Honor member of the “Order of the Arrow.”  Bob  had served as a Cub Scout Leader, Scoutmaster (holding the “Key”), Explorer Advisor (holding that “Key,” also), a District and Council Commissioner, Council V.P. and President of the former Chief Logan Council.

In 1976, Bob co-chaired the Union-Scioto School District successful levy campaign to “Save Our Schools.” .  In 2003, he served as Master of Ceremonies for the All School, 1953, 50th Chillicothe-Ross County Class Reunion. 

Bob’s greatest pleasures were doting on his grandchildren, spending time with his family, all family reunions and annual family trips to enjoy watching the Cincinnati Reds play.  He also developed skill in woodcarving.  A true passion was family history and genealogy and  happily sharing his findings to all interested parties.

As a volunteer, he developed and taught the “Beginning Genealogy” courses at the Ross County Genealogical Society. He also volunteered at the Ross County Historical Society and the local LDS Family History Center. He had memberships in numerous Genealogical and Historical Societies and was a member of the “First Families” of Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, and Adams, Clinton, Highland, and Montgomery Counties in Ohio, Wayne County in Indiana and Blair County in Pennsylvania.  Bob was also a member of the “Descendants of George Washington’s Valley Forge” (DVF) and “Flagon and Trencher: Society of Descendants of Colonial Inn Keepers.”.  He was  a member of the Arthur St. Clair Chapter of the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR),  and had served as Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President, President, and most recently as Chapter Genealogist. Bob had documented a total of 39+ Patriot ancestors.  As a member of the SAR, Bob had been awarded the “Meritorious Service Medal,” the “Silver Good Citizenship Medal,” and the “Liberty Medal.”

There will be no viewing.  A private memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 13 at WARE FUNERAL HOME. The service will be livestreamed and the livestream will start at 10:25 a.m. on Saturday.  The link for the livestream can be found at the bottom of his obituary page on the funeral home’s website.  His online register can be signed or a memory shared at warefh.com. Weather permitting, his ashes are to be interred at Grandview Cemetery in Chillicothe following the service.  In lieu of flowers, friends or family who wish, may contribute to Trinity United Methodist Church (24 S. Mulberry Street Chillicothe, Ohio 45601), to the Boy Scouts of America, Simon Kenton Council (991 East Main Street, Chillicothe, OH, 45601), or to the charity of your choice.