Robert E. Bardwell Jr.

Robert Edward Bardwell, Jr., Esquire, age 67, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away on Sunday morning, December 15, 2019 at the Kobacker House surrounded by his family. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on January 12, 1952 where he spent most of his summers helping his Grandmother Jennie on her Wolf Run Farm in Lexington, Kentucky doing odds and ends and helping with race horses. He found his vocal talent in singing for Fred Waring’s Choral Workshop and in his happiest moments would share his full baritone with friends and family with renditions of Battle Hymn of the Republic, The Guess Who and Neil Diamond among many others.

Rob graduated from the Kentucky Military Institute in 1970, obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree from The Ohio State University, and graduated in 1988 from Capital University Law School, Cum Laude, and was admitted to both the Ohio and Federal bars. He came from a long line of veterinarians but found his calling as an attorney. After obtaining his law degree, he practiced law as an associate at Vorys, Sater, Seymore & Pease Law Firm (1988-1996); served as counsel at Rickets & Onda, Co., L.P.A. (1996-2002) and started his own bankruptcy law practice (2002-2019) serving people and businesses in Central Ohio through financial distress culminating in over thirty years of service.

His friends and family knew Rob was an avid U.S. Civil War historian and would often take his family on road trips to U.S. Civil War battlefields including Antietam and Gettysburg to “smell history,” as he would often call each adventure. He would plan excursions at dawn to photograph the battlefields and capture “award-winning sky.” Rob frequently donated to the Civil War Preservation Trust whose mission is to protect U.S. Civil War battlefields from development to preserve the history of the men who died that helped shape an America where all Americans are free.

His true passion, however, was watching his children and grandchildren grow, develop, and pursue their dreams and provide them the support and tools they needed. Rob has lifelong friends that fondly recall his humor, loyalty, character, compassion and friendship. Once Rob was your friend, he was your friend for life. He will live on in the hearts and memories of those who knew him and loved him for the good man he was.

Rob is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Robert E. Bardwell, Sr. and Dr. Ann S. Bardwell. He is survived by his loving wife Judith; daughter Brooke (Jason) Bozarth and son Rob; cherished granddaughters Jordan and Madison; grand-dog Max; sister Carolyn Wheeler; brother-in-law John (Linda) Frank; nieces and a host of caring and devoted friends.

The family would like to thank Riverside Hospital and the Kobacker House for their outstanding care and hospitality and requests any donations be directed for the benefit of the Kobacker House. Family will receive family and friends from 5:00PM-7:00PM on Saturday, December 21, 2019, at the TIDD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 5265 Norwich Street, Hilliard, Ohio 43026, where funeral service will follow at 7:00PM.