Robert H. Bob Eastman

Robert H. 'Bob' Eastman, 68, of Gallipolis, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at the Ohio State University Medical Center. Bob was born September 21, 1940 in Athens, Ohio and was raised in Meigs County. He was the son of the late Bernice St. Clair Eastman Saxton and Homer A. Eastman. Bob is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sheila Strauss; sons Brent Teresa and Kevin Susan; grandchildren Adriane, Tyler, Reid and Peyton- all of Gallipolis; brother Don Eastman, niece Jeanie Doran Amstutz and nephew Brian Eastman and a great nephew Bryson Amstutz, all of Lewis Center, Ohio; along with many special friends and relatives. Bob was founder of Ohio Valley Supermarkets, Inc. which operates 11 retail supermarkets, including 6 Eastman's Foodlands and 5 Save-a-Lot Foodstores. The company also operates Bidwell Hardware, a warehouse, a main office complex and real estate. He attended Pomeroy High School and Ohio University. Bob served on many civic and community boards including Board of Directors at Ohio Valley Bank, University of Rio Grande Executive Board of Trustees, past board member of the West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocers Association, member of Shady River Masonic Lodge, Gallipolis Shrine Club, Gallipolis Rotary Club, Southern A's Model A. Club, Gallia County Chamber of Commerce, Pt. Pleasant Development Committee, Gallia County Community Improvement Corporation and First Presbyterian Church. He is a past United Way Honorary Chair Person and served as President of the Foodland Grocery Retailers. He also served on the Gallia County Board of Health. Bob received the West Virginia Entrepreneur Award, the Ohio Small Business Entrepreneur Award, 1996 Gallia County Man of the Year Award, numerous Foodland Special Awards and the 2009 Bud and Donna McGhee Award for Gallia County. In 2003, he was awarded the Degree of Doctor of Public Service from the University of Rio Grande. Bob enjoyed spending time with his special Model'A' buddies and having morning coffee with his buddies at McDonalds. He enjoyed attending sporting events, including the Super Bowl, Final Four, World Series, Nascar races, Ohio State Buckeye and Marshall University games. He, also, attended numerous High School games particularly enjoyed his grandchildren's events and activities. He also prided himself in being community minded and giving back to the community. Callings hours will be Friday, July 31, 2009 from 5-9 p.m. at the First Church of God, 1723 State Route 141, Gallipolis, Ohio. Funeral services will be Saturday, August 1, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Church of God with Pastor Paul Voss officiating. Entombment will follow at Ohio Valley Memory Gardens. A Masonic service will be at 8:45 p.m. on Friday by the Shade River Masonic Lodge #453. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Bob's honor to one of the following: Eastman Athletic Complex at Gallia Academy High School G.A.H.S. Athletic Boosters, P.O. Box 1058, Gallipolis, OH 45631; River Valley High School Athletic Boosters, 1428 Little Kyger Road, Cheshire, OH 45620; or South Gallia High School Athletic Boosters, 266 Mercerville Road, Crown City, OH 45623. Pallbearers will be Gordon Goble, Ralph Bennett, Johnny Jones, Barney Molnar, Buddy Logan, Don Mink, Tyler Eastman, Reid Eastman. Honorary Pallbearers will be Larry Howard, Bobby Williams, Jeff Hart, Shane Newell, Mike Jeffers, Mike Connolly, Ernie Brown, Tony Hutchinson, Joe Calvert, Rick Noel, Scott Litchfield, Bob Dangerfield, Herman Shotwell, Cookie Krautter, Brenda Musgrave, and Darlene Dewees Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Cemetery: 2009-08-01 Ohio Valley Memory Gardens Gallipolis OH US Visitation: 2009-07-31 17:00:00-21:00:00 First Church of God Gallipolis OH US Service: 2009-08-01 11:00:00 First Church of God Gallipolis OH US