Robert Neil Cunningham

Robert Neil Cunningham passed away peacefully July 31 at the age of 82. He was born Nov. 27, 1943, in Steubenville, Ohio, and lived nearly all his life in Richmond, Ohio.

Bob was a proud Vietnam Era Veteran, having served in the U.S. Air Force from 1964-1972. While on leave, he went on a date with Etta Ferguson, who he knew from grade school and high school. Following a brief courtship, they were married July 5, 1969, at the Richmond United Presbyterian Church in their hometown. After his honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant in October 1972, they moved from Edwards Air Force Base in California back to Richmond to raise a family. Bob and Etta had two sons, Robert Bruce and Eric Neil, and were married for more than 50 years. Etta passed away in 2020.

Bob graduated from Jefferson Union High School in 1961. He played on the basketball and track and field teams and marched in the band, performing on trombone. He attended Ohio University before enlisting in the Air Force and later graduated with an associate’s degree from Golden State University. Bob worked at the Weirton Steel Corp. in Weirton, West Virginia, for more than 30 years, retiring as a production scheduler in the fall of 2003.

Bob was a creative problem-solver and skilled with his hands. He built his family home and later during retirement began an impressive run as a woodworker. He furnished the homes of his loved ones with tables, chairs, bookshelves, toy chests, toys and even a rocking horse. He often made cutting boards, coasters, wine racks, and other items to give to friends and relatives as gifts. Bob was a skilled pie maker and quilter, the latter hobby he carried on as a tribute after Etta passed away. He was an avid reader since childhood, devouring thousands of science fiction and mystery novels.

A proud Pop Pop to Eleanor and Owen, Bob loved playing card and board games with his grandchildren as well as regular euchre games at the Wozniaks. An avid sports fan, Bob rooted for all the teams his boys played on growing up as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Steelers, Ohio State football and Duke basketball. Bob and Etta enjoyed traveling and visited Ireland and Hawaii and much of the continental United States, often with lifelong friends the Salazars from Colorado. For the past several years, Bob cherished summer vacations on Lake Michigan with his family. A loving dog dad, Bob gave a number of pets a great life over the years.

Bob was an active member of the J.U. Class of 1961, gathering often with lifelong friends. He was a member of the Richmond United Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his wife, Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Charles “Russ” and Virginia Cunningham, and brother James Cunningham. He is survived by his brother, Donald and Karen Cunningham of Richmond; Bob, Meghan, Eleanor and Owen Cunningham of Sylvania; and Eric Cunningham of Richmond.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Everhart-Bove Funeral Home, 685 Canton Rd., Wintersville, Ohio, from 3 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 6 p.m. with Pastor Bill Hibbs officiating. Condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting everhart-bovefuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Ohio River Valley chapter of Blood Cancer United at bloodcancerunited.org/regions/ohio.