Robert "Bob" Sullivan

Robert "Bob" Sullivan, 90, of Sistersville, WV went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 13, 2018 surrounded by family at his residence. Bob was born October 3, 1927 in Pennsboro, WV, the son of the late C. R. "Pop" and Grace Bengel Sullivan. He was a 1945 graduate of Pennsboro High School where he lettered in three sports, after which he served 15 months in the U.S. Navy prior to the end of WWII. Bob earned his B.S. degree in Physical Education and Mathematics in 1950 from West Virginia Wesleyan College where he lettered in both football and baseball. That same year he was united in marriage to Ramona Minear of Pennsboro, WV. He later received his Masters Degree from West Virginia University. Bob's career in Public Education spanning 33 years included 14 years as a Mathematics teacher and coach holding positions at Gary Junior High School in McDowell County (1950-1952), Parsons High School in Parsons, WV (1952-1956) and Magnolia High School in New Martinsville, WV (1956- 1964). Following his coaching career, he briefly taught Mathematics in Wood County at Parkersburg High School before being appointed Director of the Neighborhood Youth Corps. Bob served as Principal of Williamstown High School from 1966-1971 and Lewis County High School from 1971-1973. He was hired as Assistant Superintendent of Tyler County Schools in 1973 and subsequently served as Superintendent of Tyler County Schools before retiring from that position in 1983. Bob's faith in God was his true foundation leading to his devotion and lifelong commitment to his church. This service included lay speaking, Sunday School teaching, Youth and Men's Ministry and lending his "strong" voice to the choir. His faith also led him to actively serve his respective local communities through his participation in various fraternal and civic organizations. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Ramona, son, Robert Bruce Sullivan, brothers, Carl Rollynn Sullivan, Jr. and David Sullivan, sister, Betty Jo Sullivan, great grandson, Ashton Fink and step grandson, Trevor Batton. Bob was blessed with a second marriage in 2004 to his dear wife, Jane A. (Batton) Sullivan of New Martinsville who survives him. He is also survived by son, Joseph Sullivan (Penny) of Columbus, OH, daughter, Kathryn Hutzler (Chuck) of Parkersburg, WV, brother, Alfred Sullivan (Lou) of Wadsworth, OH, sister-in-law, Norma Sullivan of Berlin, OH, cousin, Carol Mitchell of TX, grandchildren, Alisha Fink (Stephen) of Parkersburg, WV, Matthew Sullivan of Columbus, OH, Joel Sullivan (Missy)of Dayton, OH, Charles Allen Hutzler (Chrissy) of Dahlgren, VA, Laura Sullivan Holmes (Chris) of Columbus, OH, Jonathan Hutzler of Parkersburg, WV and Stephen Hutzler of Morgantown, WV and newly of Saratoga, WY. Also surviving are ten great grandchildren, Anabelle, Genny, Judy, Andrew, Lauren, Mark, Aubrianna, Jude, Teagan and Emelia. Additional survivors are step-sons, Tim Batton (Maura) of Canfield, OH, Jeff Batton (Tina) and Ben Batton (Carolyn) both of Macedonia, OH, and Bill Batton of Salem, OH, 17 step grandchildren, and 14 step great grandchildren, and numerous dear family and friends. Highlights and honors of his professional career include the following: Guiding eight boys' basketball teams at Magnolia High School in New Martinsville from 1956-1964 to a combined 123-67 won-loss record and the school's first State Championship in 1961 in Class AA, leading his basketball teams in 1963 and 1964 to Class AA State Runner-Up titles with the 1964 team achieving a 25-1 record and the first unbeaten regular season in Magnolia school history, coaching the 1960 and 1961 Magnolia Football teams to OVAC titles, a perfect 10-0 record for the 1960 football season, being named the WV All-Sports High School Coach of the Year for 1961 by the WV Sports Writers Association, coaching the WV All-Star team in the Ohio-West Virginia All-Star game in 1962, receiving the Ohio Valley Basketball Coaches' Association Award at 28th Samuel A. Mumley OVAC All-Star Classic in 2005, serving as President of the WV Secondary Schools Principals' Commission from 1971-1972, and the honor of being selected to run for the WV State Senate in 1994. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend who will be deeply missed. He dearly enjoyed keeping in contact with his former students and his players whom he affectionately referred to as "his boys". He was truly a sports enthusiast and was a lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan. He loved fresh fruit cups, popcorn, ice cream and will almost certainly be looking in heaven for tossed salad with Blue Cheese dressing. Visitation will be from 2-8 pm Wednesday, January 17 at Myers Funeral Home, 600 Main St., Sistersville. Celebration service of his life will be held Thursday, January 18 at the Sistersville First United Methodist Church, 610 Main St., Sistersville at 11:00 am with Rev. Brian Seders and Rev. Tim Kelley officiating. Graveside services will be held at 2:00pm at East Lawn Memorial Park, Reno, OH followed by Masonic graveside services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sistersville First United Methodist Church, 610 Main St., Sistersville, WV 26175. Online condolences may be expressed at www.myersfuneralhomewv.com. To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Robert "Bob" Sullivan, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.