Robert Francis Durbin

COLUMBUS - Robert (Bob) Francis Durbin, age 88, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin, and friend to many, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2024 after a full and vibrant life, surrounded by his loving family.  Bob was a devoted husband for 54 years to the love-of-his-life, his wife Janet, who predeceased him on October 15, 2013. They met while students at Holy Rosary High School, playing opposite one another in the spring musical, Desert Song. Together, they provided and modeled a loving and supportive family to their four children: Colleen (Howard) Mitchell; Dennis (Sarah) Durbin MD, Christopher (Portia) Durbin, and Michael (Julie) Durbin.  His ever-growing family provided endless joy to “Papa,” particularly his 16 grandchildren:  Katherine, Colleen, Marie, Carol (Jamie), Maddi, Jack (Alexa), Will, Elliot, Hannah, Sienna (Jon), Cole, Lily, Liam, Charles, Claudia, and Eliza. Among the many ways Papa’s legacy will be sustained by his grandchildren will be playing euchre at every family gathering and repeating his dozens of “Papa-isms” - quirky, midwestern-inspired phrases, such as “it’s better than a poke in the eye with a long stick,” that will be remembered with a smile and a slight eye roll.

Besides his family, Bob had many passions, chief among them his alma mater, THE Ohio State University, and its football team. He was a long-time season ticket holder and could be found wearing either scarlet or grey (or both) and drinking from a variety of logo-emblazoned glassware nearly every day. The block O also adorned his golf bag, intersecting with his other lifelong passion that began at age 13 when he learned to caddy at the Columbus Country Club. He was a charter member of both Little Turtle and The Lakes country clubs and formed great friendships over the years with his weekly foursomes, with whom he could recount shots made on specific holes in the 1970s with remarkable accuracy.

By his own admission, he was a “number dummy,” serving in accounting and finance roles for several companies over his 30+ year career, including Volkswagen of America/ MidVo, Mack Truck, Horton Ambulance, Medex, and finally with Easter Seals.

Bob encircled his family, recreational, and professional activities with a deep love of Christ, which infused everything he did with a clear-eyed sense of faith in action. He raised his family as an active member of St. Anthony parish, and after moving to St. Peter parish, served on the parish finance council. Bob also served as a Fourth Degree in the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus, where he chaired their student scholarship program, and he will be proudly buried in his Knights regalia. 

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, September 12 from 9:30- 11:00 am at St. Peter Catholic Church, 6899 Smoky Row Road, Columbus, OH 43235.  A Funeral Mass will follow immediately at 11:00 am.  All are invited to attend a luncheon to celebrate Bob’s life at St. Peter’s following the liturgy. In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable donation to St. Charles Preparatory School, 2010 East Broad Street, Columbus OH 43209.

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