Robert E. “Bob” Duke, Sr. passed away at the age of 84, following a lingering illness which prevented him from doing what he loved most – helping his family and supporting others. Bob died at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at the Calcutta Health Care Center, where he had resided recently.

He was a son of the late Oliver Leo and Edith Wallace Duke, born on April 14, 1931 in East Liverpool. He had attended Wellsville High School and was a lifetime member of the Wellsville High School Alumni Association, but when his children and grandchildren became “Potters”, he was a staunch supporter and enthusiastic fan. A member of the Blue and White Touchdown Club, Bob also belonged to the Potters Rebound Club and was a familiar face at many area sporting events, including the years he spent as part of “The Chain Gang” at the home football games.

For over 30 years, Bob was associated with the former Crucible Steel Corporation, retiring in 1981, after which time he worked for over 13 years at Mountaineer Park. He had also delivered newspapers for both the Morning Journal and the Review. Bob had attended the Salvation Army at one time, and belonged to the Tri-State Coonhunters Club & Sportsman Association, as well as both the North American Hunting and Fishing Clubs, in which he was a lifetime member.

Above all, Bob will be remembered as “the rock” for his family and others who crossed his life’s path and were treated as such. He was solid and steadfast; a quiet supporter who believed in “being there” when it counted.

Preceding him in death on September 23, 1994 was his wife, Ruth Ann Mays Duke.

He is survived by three daughters, Cindy Duke and Pam Duke, both of East Liverpool; and Kim Duke Baker and her husband, Bob, of Columbia, SC. There are three sons, Robert E. Duke, Jr. and his wife, Angel; Michael J. Duke, Sr.; and Timothy G. Duke, all of East Liverpool. Bob was preceded in death by a daughter, Durinda Duke Deem and by a son, Daniel A. Duke, Sr., as well as two sisters, Anna Mae Jeffries and Shirley Fultz, a brother, Harold D. Duke, and a grandson, Timothy D. Duke.

Also surviving are fourteen grandchildren: Steve Deem, Dorinda Deem Adkins, Daniel Duke, Jr., Tamara Johnson, Jason Duke, Michael Duke, Jr., Amanda Mitchell Bowers, Robert Duke III, Jamie Duke, Dusty Davis, Sean Duke, Winter Downs, Christina Constable and Austin Davis. There are 31 great-grandchildren: Shane Kidder, Durinda Logan, Gina Deem, Patrick Logan, Delia Mitchell, Cheyann Duke, Chloe Constable, Elias Stewart, Sarah Duke, Ciera Constable, Cidney Constable, Clara Stewart, Alexander Duke, Samantha Duke, Braden Duke, Jackson Duke, Michael Duke III, Van Davis, Sidney Morris, Grayson Duke, Charleen Duke, Timothy Constable, Illeanna Bowers, Hanna Davis, Theron Duke, Carson Duke, Joseph Duke, Makayla Duke, Emma Downs, Cody Adkins, and Dillon Adkins, as well as two great-great-grandchildren: Gavin Kidder and Brandon Adkins.

Friends may visit at the Dawson Funeral Home on Thursday, where the family will be present from 10 a.m. until noon.

Pastor Tom McKee, Bob’s nephew, will officiate at a service to be held at the funeral home at noon on Thursday.

Burial will take place at Columbiana County Memorial Park..

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