Robert Atwood

Robert (Bob) L Atwood, 91, of Johnstown, Ohio, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2022 at his home. For those who knew Bob, they knew he had married the love of his life, Mary Lee Wilson and they were blessed with 70 years and 11 months together. They had four children - Steve (Julie) Atwood, Deb (Tim) Johnson, Kristy (Jeff) Anstaett and Buck (Becky) Atwood. They cherished their nine grandkids - Kelly Johnson, Marty (Doug) Carter, Josh (Erin) Johnson, Megan Atwood, Katy (Mike) Paider, Luke (Lindsay) Atwood, Jake (Alicia) Anstaett, Dalton Atwood, and Devon Atwood; and dearly loved their 16 great grandchildren Trent, Conner, JP, Lexie, Halleigh, Maddox, Delaney, Aubrey, Savanna, Nash, Addy, Posie, Tillie, Nora, Quinn, and Millie. Bob felt his and Mary's greatest accomplishment was their family and legacy - their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He knew just how blessed he was, and never hesitated to say it.

Bob worked at many different jobs, before finding his calling as a Columbus Fireman, where he was known best as 'Rock'. He dedicated 30 years of his life to firefighting before retiring to enjoy his time with his family, which became a family of thirty-eight. He was always proud to say he was a Columbus Fireman, and he took great pride when his oldest son chose to follow the same path. He developed lifelong friendships with his Fireman brothers, and the stories he would tell...

He was an amazing person, always making each of his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids know, without a doubt, that they were the light of his life and loved with all his heart. If you married into the family, he loved you as if you were born into it. He took great joy in each one of them and their accomplishments, and was always there teaching them to value who they were. He taught them life was about making mistakes and learning from them. Bob’s greatest lesson to all his family was watching him live what he believed.

Bob enjoyed life, and was always ready with a story or two, or ten. No matter how many times he told a story, it never varied. His love of the ocean and the Outer Banks of North Carolina lasted all his life, and was passed to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. John Wayne was his role model, and he could watch his movies every day. For Bob, a day full of Westerns would be a dream come true. He loved his country and served in the Army Reserve. Saturdays in the fall would always find Bob watching Ohio State football, and Sundays were for the Browns.

Although throughout Bob's life he faced many health changes, he never lost sight of what was important, and remained a loving, happy, and positive example to everyone he met. He always spoke of his own father being the greatest man he ever knew, and now his children use the same words to describe him.

Heaven is a little brighter today because Bob is there telling his stories to all those he loved who went before him... and I'm sure they will enjoy them as much as we all did.

We will never forget how blessed we were to have him in our lives, and take comfort in knowing we will see him again.

Arrangements entrusted to Schoedinger Northeast. To honor Bob’s wishes, no services will be held.

For those wishing to express their sympathy, in lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in Bob’s memory to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Road SE, Newark, OH 43055 or at https://www.hospiceofcentralohio.org/donate/donate-now/.