John Robert Bane, Jr., 82, of Washington Court House, Ohio died Monday, February 27, 2023, at 11:18 p.m. at the Court House Manor Nursing Home where he had been residing since January 26.
Bob was born December 11, 1940, in Gallia County, Ohio to John Robert and Edith Clark Bane. He was reared in Gallia County and was a 1958 graduate of Gallia Academy High School in Gallipolis. He received a bachelor’s degree in education from Rio Grande College in 1962.
He taught mathematics for 24 years in the Washington Court House City Schools and eight years at the Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development in Wilmington. He retired from teaching on May 31, 1994. He was a school bus driver while in college and continued part time while teaching school. After his retirement from teaching, he drove a bus for the Washington City Schools from 1998-2003.
In 1975, he was commissioned as a police officer with the Washington Court House Police Department. He devoted many hours of service to the city and especially to his fellow officers on patrol.
Bob was very much involved with the Fayette County Life Squad. He was an EMT and crew leader, beginning the first day that service was established in Fayette County. He worked the night shift then would teach school the next day. He served as the coordinator of the EMS service from 1980-1982. He served one term as president of the life squad and later was appointed, by the Fayette County Commissioners, to the EMS Board of Directors and served on the board for the next nine years. He also served as a dispatcher for the squad.
He had a love for driving trucks and, at the age of 18, began hauling freight multi-state during the summers and bulk milk on the weekends. He later drove dump trucks for construction companies and became a full-time driver for M C Trucking at Melvin Stone near Sabina in 2003. He was employed by Southwest Paving in the mid and late 60’s as a plant operator at Fayette Limestone in Fayette County.
Bob was the manager of the swimming pool in Washington Court House from 1971-1985 when the local Rotary Club owned the facility. He was instrumental in the addition of the 50-meter Olympic pool in 1978.
He was a 45-year member of Fayette Lodge F&AM #107 and was currently serving as treasurer; was a member of the 32nd Degree Masons, Valley of Columbus; Aladdin Temple Shrine in Columbus and the Washington Shrine Club. He was a member and past exalted ruler of Washington Lodge #129 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, was a member of the Fayette Aerie #423 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; was a social member of O.E. Hardway Post #3762 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars; a member and past president of Associates Lodge #56 of the Fraternal Order of Police Associates in Washington Court House; the Fayette County Retired Teachers Association and the Fayette County Fish and Game Association.
Bob as very much into the rural life. He maintained a residence in Kentucky on Lake Cumberland for many years. He truly enjoyed fishing and boating and having visitors at his cabin at Beaver Creek Resort near Monticello, Kentucky.
He was very fond of his umbrella cockatoo, Venus, who the only pet he ever owned.
Bob was never married. He devoted his life to helping others and having many friends, both professionally and socially, and is survived by those many friends and co-workers. Also surviving is a sister, Bonita Westerberg of Grayslake, IL.
A Masonic service, which is open to the public, will be held Friday, March 3, 2023, at 1 p.m. at the Kirkpatrick Funeral Home in Washington Court House. The funeral will immediately follow the Masonic service with Danny Dodds, minister at the Greenfield Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in the Washington Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home Friday from 11 a.m. until time of the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ohio Masonic Home, 2655 West National Road, Springfield, Ohio 45504.
www.kirkpatrickfuneralhome.com
I only knew him as my 7th grade math teacher. I had no idea he was so accomplished. His was obviously a life well lived. I’m proud to have known him.
Godspeed Mr. Bane.
I Learned so many things from Mr. Bane as my first boss at the Washington City Pool. He instilled such a strong work ethic in each one of us. He was also my High School math teacher. Rest easy Mr Bane. Your work here is complete. You left a lasting memory with so many.