Robert Franklin Pontius

Robert F. Pontius, aka Bob, aka UBB 72, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at home. Born April 20, 1950 in Rockford, Illinois to Lee and Eugene Pontius, Robert attended school in Wilmington, North Carolina. Upon graduation from high school he attended Cape Fear Technical School and graduated with an Applied Science Degree in Instrumentation Technology. He moved to Detroit and worked for Bailey Meter installing and maintaining Babcock & Wilcox instrumentations for power houses. In 1974 he was transferred to St. Louis, Missouri where he met his wife Mary Ann and they married on August 31, 1975, a second marriage for both of them. Mary Ann had 2 children from a prior marriage, Joanne and Edward and Robert adopted both of them. Immediately following the marriage he was then transferred to Toledo, Ohio to work on the Lake Freighters. During his career he travelled extensively working on the power houses of not only Lake Freighters but also oil refineries, automotive factories and other manufacturing facilities. His favorite comment was "if you travel north on 75 there is not a factory or facility I have not worked in". He also spent time abroad and work in Argentina, Poland and at one time in Korea installing equipment on 2 new lake freighters that South Korea had purchased. Because of his extensive travels and work facilities, Robert had a multitude of friends all over this country and abroad who loved and appreciated him and his excellent work ethic, including his New York Woman Charlotte, who he loved dearly and his favorite Kroger lady, Linda. He was an active member and Past President of Barton Smith Masonic Lodge #613 and Zenobia Shrine as well until illness prevented his participation in events but he remained a member. In 2014, he was diagnosed with Primary Lateral Sclerosis by Dr. Praveen Dayalu of the Movement Disorder Clinic at the University of Michigan. This was after he saw 19 doctors locally who were unable to determine what his physical issues were. Dr. Dayalu has taken care of Robert since and has been a blessing and God-Send to Robert and his family. In addition the family wishes to express their eternal gratitude to everyone in the medical profession who cared for Robert including Dr. Dayalu, Dr. Reiner our family doctor, Dr. Ervin his orthopedic surgeon, all of the wonderful folks at MedOne, who provided service for him at home, the wonderful and kind people at Heatherdowns Rehab & Residential who took such loving care of him during his stay there, and Hospice, which provided loving and tender in-home care. Robert was very blessed to have been treated by these kind and wonderful people. He is survived by Mary Ann, his loving wife of 47 years, his daughter Joanne (Scott) Holton, son Edward C. Smith-Pontius, brothers David (Louise) and Michael from Maryland and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Lee and Eugene Pontius, his aunts Norma and Irma and other aunts uncles, and cousins. Services will be held on November 4, 2022 at Coyle Funeral Home, 1770 S. Reynolds Rd. with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. followed by Barton Smith Masonic services at noon. Pastor Stuart Mahan will be officiating. Interment will be private. The family thanks all of his friends and co-workers for their kind words, thoughts and prayers and ask that in lieu of flowers perhaps a contribution to one of his favorite volunteer spots, the Toledo Zoo, Cherry Street Mission or the Maumee Senior Center. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

Robert Franklin Pontius

April 20, 1950 - October 5, 2022