I’ve procrastinated writing something on this platform as I’ve struggled to find words that feel worthy & adequate of this event. Perhaps some of that struggle is the fact that I can’t quite grasp that he isn’t with us anymore. 

I had the honor of sharing  25 years with my grandpa. And during that time, I was always acutely aware that I wouldn’t have him forever.  However, I never could have prepared for how truly difficult this time would be when it came. 

My grandfather gave me the sweetest childhood and the warmest friendship to grow into as I aged. He drank black coffee; the cheapest brand & darkest roast. Even when I had to wrap both hands around the mug in order to hold it, he would pour me some. He would drink his as I would dunk graham crackers into mine. We would talk, about God knows what, then slip into whatever make-believe world he had built for me that day. That evolved to daily emails as I got older; our source of communication as his ears had grown tired. He gathered projects he thought I would enjoy when I was younger which evolved to articles he thought I’d like as I grew; he never stopped trying to find ways to connect with me and make me feel like he was interested in my world.  As he did with each of his grandchildren; meeting each individually where we were. 

His sweatshirts sit in my guest room; I refuse to wear them as I want the smell of his pipe to stay in the fibers as long as possible. To stay with me as long as possible.  

I am honored to be his granddaughter. I’m honored to be apart of what he built. I only hope that he knows the impact he made & how deeply he is loved. 

He will always be my very first best friend. I will love & miss him forever. 

As I look back on the memories from my 29 years of knowing my grandfather, what sticks out to me was his strong sense of character and independence, the small quirks and affectations that made up his wholly unique, wonderful personality. It was common to find him in his workshop in the basement or garage, puffing his pipe, drinking microwaved coffee from the day before, working on one of seemingly endless projects around the house or cooking up a DIY arts & crafts assignment for the grandkids. 

When I think about him, I can still hear him walking up or down the stairs, humming and singing a tune from a bygone era that only he seemed to know. I can see him sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea, reading the paper, and pulling out pages with articles he thought we might find interesting. I'll always remember riding in his big green truck, on a mission to accomplish some scheme he'd devised to entertain the grandkids. 

More than anything, my grandfather was a great man, endlessly kind, and his dry, off the cuff sense of humor was second to none. It's an honor to be his grandson, and the lessons he taught me will stay with me forever. Rest easy, grandpa. Thank you for everything. 

Bob was my Father in Law, I am proud to say. He was an intelligent man with a great sense of humor .. but he would just as soon you not know either of those parts of him. He was an astute observer of life and people, someone who learned by listening and not so much about speaking . I know he enjoying asking probing questions .. then listening to see what you knew or believed , before you knew it you you had said more than you maybe wanted to say… as he watched you with that wry smile. I know he enjoyed those moments ! Bob enjoyed a warm garage , a cup of coffee , and his pipe . I enjoyed many moments like this with him as he transformed my garage into ‘ my man cave’ … sometimes when going to my car ..I smell a whiff of Black Velvet and hear the coffee perking! Fond memories of a good man. You will never be forgotten and you live on the legacy of a wonderful family.. one I am fortunate to be a part of . God Bless us all.

Bob was not aware that I would there but, at that early hour, he gave me that Bob smile, over his coffee mug and merely said "morning Jeff", as if it were a daily occurrence.  Made me giggle (and it still does).
Upon seeing the photo above I remarked to Eric that it reflects the essence of Bob Lanham.  The twinkle in the eye and the smile are indelibly imprinted on my memory banks. He will forever hold a special place in my heart and my memories of him will always bring me joy.  Simply put, a man very, very well met.  

To all of the extended Lanham clan, my condolences.  Beyond those condolences, I wanted to share some thoughts.
I first met Bob when I was in my teens.  I have been lucky enough to the best of friends with Eric since those days.  At the time I felt that Bob was amused by some the stories about some crazy things I found myself involved in back then.  With the benefit of hindsight, I am now sure that he was bemused, not amused (and thanking his stars that his boy was the stable one!).
After high school graduation, I was lucky enough to work for Bob in a couple of different jobs.  The first of those was at a working gas station, which required a uniform.  Bob indicated to me that, instead of supplying them with actual measurements,  he told them he needed "huge, long" shirts and pants.  That line has been used repeatedly over the years by each and every one of my friends and relatives.
The next job involved my painting, on my own, the entire interior of a closed gas station.  The joy of that job, being that it was close to the Lanham home, was the morning visits from Bob.  To this day, the smell of pipe tobacco, mixed with coffee, transports me back to those wonderful morning chats.
A similarly enduring memory stemmed from one particular visit to the Lanham home.  I was elsewhere in the house but repeatedly heard Bob giggling/laughing from the family room.  When I asked what was going on I was told that he was in watching "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World".  When I professed my ignorance of the movie I was sent right in to watch it.  The pure joy of seeing that flick for the rest time, with him, returns any time I see that movie is in the listings, to this day.
Another wonderful memory comes from my arrival in Steubenville the day after a family graduation party.  My arrival was at approximately 7 am, after driving through the night.  
(Continued)

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lanham family.
Bob could always be counted on if needed to help or
advise a neighbor.

Rest in peace, Bob.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Lanham family. Mr and Mrs Lanham were the kindest people who always welcomed me into their home. Eric is such a great friend and father and that certainly is attributed to the way he was raised. Often, Eric was unable to get out of the house, because he was “helping his dad”…it actually became a running joke amongst all his close friends. Looking back now, Mr. Lanham certainly helped guide Eric to the profession he has today. He will always be loved and missed, but hopefully his memories will last a lifetime.      



My condolences to Bob's wonderful family...We were in the service together. He was my outstanding friend and Jeanette my favorite lady....Hadn't had contact with him in the last few years but every once in a while I wondered who he was harassing next..Both of us viewed Elvis in Germany...Luckily we weren't being shot at so that gave us some harmless funny experiences....I admired his intelligence and good humor....I was glad to be his friend....

I love this poem as it describes so well the man my Father was to me.
You’re with me always Dad, see you again someday.

He was never one to boast
He just went on quietly working
For the ones he loved the most.

His dreams were seldom spoken
His words were very few
And most of the time his worries 
Went unspoken too.

He was there….A firm foundation
Through all my storms of life
A sturdy hand to hold on to
In times of stress and strife.

A true friend I could turn to
When times were good or bad
One of my greatest blessings
The man that I called Dad.

BOB WAS ONE OF THE BEST BOSSES I EVER WORKED FOR, I WORKED FOR HIM AT PETROLEUM SALES AND SERVICE (1975-1980). AS A YOUNG MAN IN LIFE BOB TOOK THE TIME TO CARE AND DEVELOP AS NEEDED. IM SURE HE WAS A GREAT FATHER AND HUSBAND AND HE WILL HE SADLY MISSED. I ONLY WISH IN OUR LATER YEARS WE COULD HAVE STAYED IN TOUCH. 
BOB TOLD ME ONCE WHEN HE WAS IN THE ARMY IN GERMANY ELVIS WAS IN HIS UNIT! THATS TO COOL!!
RANDY PINKOWSKI 

We are deeply sorry for your loss.  Our love and prayers to you and your family.

Love,
Jack, Michele, Tyler and Austin

Tom,

We sincerely hope peace finds you during this difficult time

Tom and Kelli D 

Tom, 
Karen and I  are sorry for your loss, our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. 
God Bless your dad!

John and Karen Lutz 

OBITUARY

Robert Eugene Lanham

March 8, 1935 – October 17, 2022

Danzer, Dengler & Roberts Funeral Home

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