Robert B. Quillen

Robert B. Quillen passed away on January 2, 2025 with his family at his side in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. 

Bob was born January 17, 1945 to Erma Marie (Rees) and Lee Quillen. He attended Muskingom University as a Greek and Latin major and became a pastor after attending Winebrenner Theological Seminary. He married Joyce L. Rossman on July 4, 1969 and received his Doctor of Divinity (DDIV) from Eden Theological Seminary in 1983. Bob was affectionately known as Pastor Bob or P.B. to his congregations and served as pastor to Gomer United Church of Christ, First United Church of Christ Fremont, First United Church of Christ in Sandusky, and St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fremont, Ohio. He retired in 2010 with 40 years service. 

Bob treasured his family and dedicated his time to them. He is remembered by his family as Uncle Bob or Grandpa for his sense of fun, humor, and adventure, wise counsel, and many hours of patient listening to family, friends, and all those in need of an ear. He was an excellent teacher and loved spending time teaching others - whether that was chess, how to drive, woodwork or the inner workings of the human spirit. Grandpa and Dad were his favorite roles and he was counselor, in-house Uber, and adventure enabler for all his grandkids. In his spare time, he enjoyed facilitating adult Sunday school, making pens or woodworking, and keeping up on current events. 

Bob is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joyce (Rossman) Quillen, and daughters, Amanda (Nels Sundquist) and Meghan (Matt Cavas) and grandchildren Zoë (Jackie Knight) Boston, Sasha Boston, Mira “Reed” Boston, Ella Cavas, and Dax Cavas, and his brother, David Lee Quillen. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Erma Quillen. 

Bob has chosen to donate his body to science. A memorial will be held to celebrate his life at 2 pm on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Temple Lutheran Church with reception to follow in Fellowship Hall. There will be a celebration of life for Ohio family and friends this summer. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity, habitat.org.