Robert Lear

Robert Lear, 94 years old, passed peacefully on to heaven on September 29, 2020, with loved ones present. Robert was born in Columbus, Ohio to Robert S. and Helen Lear in 1926 and had one brother, Richard. He attended North High School in Columbus, played saxophone in the school band, was a member of the USN ROTC, then in 1943 before graduation, he enlisted in the Navy. Immediately after high school graduation in 1944, Robert was accepted into and began the Navy Reserve Pilot V-5 Program. He was sent to Central Michigan College, made the Dean’s List studying aviation courses, awaiting flight school. In the Fall of 1944, the program was discontinued…. Robert was extremely disappointed. The Navy had him choose another major and he attended Duke University until Spring 1945. At that point, the Navy sent Robert to the Great Lakes Training Center, then to Ft. Shoemaker, CA for a duty station. He received an honorable discharge in 1946. Robert married Alberta (“Pat”) Pattison in 1946 and they had 68 1/2 years together. Soon after the wedding, he found a job at Surface Combustion Company as a furnace inspector and also began studying engineering at Ohio State University on the GI bill. Robert worked at Surface Combustion/Janitrol Aero/Midland-Ross (same company) for 40 years as an electrical engineer with a gifted engineering and mathematical mind, designing, testing, writing computer code for heat exchange parts. He was intrigued by and studied effective business leadership styles. Robert enjoyed Glenn Miller and Four Freshmen music, played his saxophone, piano (self-taught) and was fascinated by musical chords. He was an avid and tough tennis player for many years, also liked golf and valued his personal friendships. Robert’s priority was family…. he and Pat provided a loving, secure environment for their two daughters.  He influenced every person in his immediate and extended family by listening, caring, doing what he could do to help, offered thoughtful wisdom. Robert was a thinker and had a reserved demeanor, also had a warm, genuine smile and a “ full on” laugh that was totally happy at that moment. Later in his life, he accepted Jesus. Robert is truly loved and missed.

Preceded in death by his parents (Robert S. and Helen), sister-in-law (Mary Lear), niece (Barbara Lear Ratliff), brother (Richard Lear), wife (Pat Pattison Lear), daughter (Peggy Lear Bender), brother-in-law (Bill Pattison).

Survived by daughter (Jacque Lear Baughman), sons-in-law (Tom Baughman, Denny Bender), sister-in-law (MaryEllen Pattison), grandchildren (Eric Baughman, Megan Bender, Matthew Bender, Emily Baughman), great-grandchildren ((Chloe Baughman, Sam Baughman, Ivy Kerr), nephews (Ed Lear, Bill Pattison, Jr., Preston/Alise Pattison), nieces (Shan Pattison Darling, Ann Pattison Lyman), great-nephews (Andy/Mary Lear, Adam/Katie Lear, Ross Lyman, Todd Ratliff, Timothy Ratliff), great-nieces (Rachel Pattison, Brittany Pattison, Jessica Pattison, Sidney Pattison, Sarah Pattison, Katie Lyman, Brenna Lyman), neighbors (Veda/Mike Nobel, Gary Wilkins), caregivers (Teresa, Cathy, Jennifer, Kendra, Olivia) and friends (Karen Grove, Davy/Glenna Wire).

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Ohio Health Hospice, Columbus, Ohio.