Robert Taylor

After 5 years of fighting with tenacity and grace, Robert ‘Bob’ Taylor’s fight with a rare metastasized prostate cancer came to an end on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Bob/Dad/Poppy was surrounded by his rock and wife of 50 years – Beth Taylor, daughter – Ashley Haase, son-in-law – Dave Haase, son – Craig Taylor, daughter-in-law – Masha Taylor, and his grandchildren – Taylor (15), Scotty (12), Ellie (8), Mila (7), and Alec (4).

Bob was born into humble beginnings on December 20, 1953, in Louisville, KY to Bernard and Mary Taylor.  He worked hard throughout his youth and graduated from Shawnee High School in 1971 at the top of his class. Soon after graduating high school, he met and married the love of his life, Beth, on June 15, 1974. Bob went to night school at the University of Louisville while also starting his 52-year career in the chemical coatings and paint industry at Reliance Universal. He completed his academics with an MBA from Harvard University.

Throughout his career at Reliance, AkzoNobel, Lilly Industries, Sherwin Williams, and back again to AkzoNobel, Bob had many incredible achievements rising from lab assistant to executive, taking him and his family across the United States to Singapore, Shanghai, and London. He guided the opening of Akzo’s first factory in Singapore in 1989, led the sale of Lilly Industries, and rebuilt the company where his career started at Akzo. Throughout his career, the greatest joy of his professional life were the connections and friendships he formed.

While his career was a major part of his life, Bob’s truest passion and the thing that defined him the most was being a devoted and loving husband, Dad, Poppy, uncle, mentor, and friend. Bob devoted his life to showing his children the world and supporting every one of their dreams. He loved skiing with all his grandchildren, taking them fishing, and going on incredible adventures. He stayed grounded to his Louisville roots often returning home to support his family.

Bob will be forever missed, but never forgotten as his legacy lives on in all those that he touched and impacted. The family will be hosting a visitation on Friday, September 20th from 2:00-6:00pm EST at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven. Funeral services will be on Saturday, September 21st from 3:00-4:30pm EST at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven. The funeral services will also be livestreamed at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86912775834?pwd=uq8YVsNGvGKb0sPaFI4bvUFePVVW80.1

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bob Taylor can be made to the Shaw Cancer Center – Shaw at Home Program in Edwards, Colorado who provided amazing care and support throughout Bob’s 5-year fight.

Donations can be made at: https://donate.vailhealthfoundation.org/give/620410/#!/donation/checkout

Or mail via: Shaw at Home Program at Vail Health Foundation In Memory of Bob Taylor PO Box 1529, Vail, CO 81658.

Arch L. Heady at Resthaven 4400 Bardstown Rd Louisville, KY 40218