Robert R. FORSTER, age 95. Beloved husband of the late Arleen L. (nee Hagen). Dearest father of Robert Jr. (Elizabeth), Diane, and Denise Paulsen (Phil). Loving grandfather of Lisa (Jason, deceased), Shawn (Kathy), Scott (Hannah), Michael (Stef), Christi, Noah, and Arleen. Dear great grandfather of 17, great great grandfather of 5.
VISITATION, THURS. SEP. 5, 4:00 – 8:00 PM AT THE ZABOR FUNERAL HOME, 5680 PEARL RD. PARMA (BETW. SNOW & RIDGE). FUNERAL SERVICE AT THE FUNERAL HOME, FRI. SEP. 6, 10:30 AM, INTERMENT, HOLY CROSS CEMETERY.
Bob was born to Samuel and Amy (nee Ritz) in Warwood/Wheeling, West Virginia and moved to Parma OH when he was a few months old. He had 4 brothers and 2 sisters.
Bob loved his childhood in Parma. He spent his time exploring and getting into fun mischief with his best friend "Pinky" Parker. As a teenager during World War II he trained to be an enemy plane spotter. His keen interest in planes would later develop into a hobby of model plane building from scratch. One such plane graced the "sky" of his home and it was over six feet long!
Growing up, his family was very active in the United Brethren Church in Parma where he made his confirmation. He loved to sing, and later in life, he shared his amazing voice with the St. Francis De Sales Men's Choir.
Bob was very busy in high school. He lettered in track and loved speed skating during the winter. He was involved in many school activities including student council, the rifle club, the glee club, and the yearbook committee.
He was quite handsome and soon caught the eye of a young beauty named Arleen Hagen. Even though he attended the protestant church down the street, he joined the youth group at St. Francis De Sales so he could get to know Arleen better. Apparently, this worked! Following graduation from High School, Bob joined the Army Security Agency (the precursor to today's National Security Agency) and he was given the highest security clearance. He was very proud of his service in this elite corps of soldiers. During his training, Bob was subsequently stationed in Augusta, Georgia, where he and Arleen were married in a simple ceremony on April 23, 1949. From there they were transferred to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Even though he enjoyed his role in the service, he decided to leave the Army and moved back to Parma to build a life and raise a family with his bride.
Once home, he secured an apprenticeship as a millwright at the Republic Steel Mill. Later, he was offered a second apprenticeship as a pipefitter at his father-in-law's company, Hagen Heating.
Bob loved being a pipefitter. As journeyman, Bob quickly became a foreman, overseeing the work at a number of construction sites (including such places as the Terminal Tower). He was also a personal mentor to many men under his leadership. More than one apprentice credited him for saving their marriages and helping them to become good family men. He was also a master of his craft, and despite his lack of formal training, he learned to develop system level designs and capture his thoughts on prints. In 1959 he won the International Pipefitters Contest and won $1,000 (more than $10,000 in today's dollars), which enabled him to build a garage for their newly built house in Parma.
As they say new house, new baby! Although they were already blessed with Robert Junior and Diane, Denise completed their brood. As the family grew they enjoyed camping in their Apache trailer and many parties with their neighborhood friends.
In 1991, Bob and Arleen began a new phase of their life. Bob retired and they were able to have a bit of fun together. A key highlight was a trip to Italy in 1998 (their first and only time overseas). Venice! Florence! Rome! Each city was more magical than the last. Tired and happy, they called it the perfect cap to their working life together.
Unfortunately, Bob lost the love of his life to cancer when she was 71 years old. He lovingly cared for her, sleeping on the floor next to her hospital bed in the living room, as he could not bear to leave her alone. He was truly her prince.
Without Arleen, Bob entered into the most difficult time of his life. Eventually, he reconnected with Marian, also widowed and a friend from their golf group. They quietly became a part of each other's life and were able to enjoy trips to Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, and on several cruises. He also joined a vacation club at that time as he wanted to bequeath this to his family as a part of his legacy.
Bob also liked to share a lot of fond memories:
- Delighting his kids when they were young with homemade toys, basketball backboards, a backyard ice rink, stilts, kites, you name it. He was truly Bob the builder.
- Sailing on a cruise on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz with his son-in-law Phil (who met his daughter while stationed on the ship).
- Meeting all of the Ohio astronauts (Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, Jim Lovell, etc…) at NASA's 50 th anniversary gala event.
- Cooking at the annual Clam Bakes (best bouillon ever!), making sauerkraut, smoking meat, pulling taffy, and concocting all types of jelly.
- Riding on a steam locomotive.
- Helping to raise his grandchildren.
- Fishing with his son up North.
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Bob was also very protective of his family. During one of the worst winter storms in northeast Ohio, Bob's daughter, Denise, was working in Akron and unable to make the drive home. She stayed with a friend and asked someone living in the area to let him know she was not coming home (there were no cell phones then). Unfortunately, they forgot and the call was never made. That night the only vehicles on the highway were the state troopers, and my dad. They pulled him over and asked politely, "Sir what are you doing out on a night like this?" "Looking for my daughter" was his reply. That was our dad.
Bob had a servant's heart. He was loyal. He was a man of honor. He loved his family - they were everything to him. He was generous to a fault. He was the hardest working man I have ever seen. He was a talented and creative builder of things. He was intelligent (offered a slot in engineering at Case Western University, but unable to afford the $50 tuition). He also had a booming laugh that would embarrass us as kids (and he loved to laugh). He taught us how to give without receiving anything back in return (often stopping to help a stranger on the side of the freeway who was in need). We always knew he loved us unconditionally.
Late in life, COVID stole his ability to speak after he suffered a stroke as a result. Needing specialized care, he spent his last year at Kemper House, where, despite being unable to speak, he was beloved by the staff and was engaging through winks, handshakes, kisses on the hands, and big smiles. The staff there cried with us as his days came to a close.
Although Bob had a rich and rewarding life, living to age 95, there are a few things that we wish that we could experience with him just one more time. One more picnic at Hinckley where we would make screaming apples and potatoes blackened in the fire. Searching for Paw Paws in the woods. Having one last dance (Bob was an exquisite ballroom dancer, especially with my mom in his arms). Oh, to have just one more time around the dance floor with you, Dad!
It has been said that there are two ways to view life: as something to protect or something to pursue. The wisest people are not the ones with the most years in their lives, but the most life in their years. Bob was doubly blessed with both a long life and a lifetime of cherished experiences. When Bob breathed his last, he was surrounded by his family and he knew that he was loved. As he begins his new life in Heaven, I can only imagine the joyous reunion that he is having with those who passed before him. A life well lived… Dad, we all love and miss you terribly already!