Robert "Bob" Deis

Robert “Bob” Eugene Deis, 81, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on June 19th, 2021, surrounded by his loving family and beloved dog, Sassy. Bob was born April 26, 1940 in Dayton, Ohio to Marie (Buehler) Deis and Alfred E. Deis. He graduated from Chaminade High School (1958) in Dayton and The Ohio State University. Bob was an Army Officer and completed several advanced training courses including Combat Engineers, Special Forces Demolition, Mountain Warfare School, O.C.S., Advanced Airborne, Jumpmaster, and Special Forces Operations Officers’ Course; after active duty Bob commanded a U.S. Army Airborne Reserve Unit. He remained active in the Special Forces Association SFA45 Group based at Rickenbacker AFB. Bob’s adventurous career also included serving for the Ohio Division of Wildlife in the area of wildlife management, fisheries, and law enforcement; special duty Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy; and as commercial real estate broker and property manager. He was a private pilot and enjoyed hunting and fishing all over North America.

Bob’s passion with the outdoors began early; he has been registered with the Boy Scouts of America for over 70 years and earned his Silver Eagle Scout in the 1950’s. His volunteering with the BSA and the Simon Kenton Council included advising hundreds of scouts as they made the journey to become Eagle Scouts. Bob served in numerous Scouting roles over the decades and was distinguished with the District Award of Merit, National Eagle Scout Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, and the National Silver Beaver Award. Many Scouters will forever remember his slogan “Call them Scouts!”

Bob is survived by his children, Cynthia Deis (Galen Gillett) of Raleigh, North Carolina, Nancy Cropper Burns (Mike) of Columbus, Ohio, and Christopher Deis (Melanie) of Worthington, Ohio; his grandchildren Christopher Cropper,  Tim Cropper (Darien), Cleo and Nora Gillett, Ethan, Grace and Aidan Deis. He is also survived by his sister Carol Stine of Dayton, brother Ron Deis of Anchorage, brother John Deis of Dayton, son-in-law Scott Cropper of Columbus, separated wife Joyce Deis of Columbus, and ex-wife Linda Deis of Columbus.

A Celebration of Life will occur at Shaw-Davis Funeral Home at 4341 N. High Street, Columbus, on Saturday, July 17th, the family requests you to stop by between noon and 2 with a Scout Closing Ceremony at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to one of these organizations that meant so much to him:

Simon Kenton Council, Friends of Scouting: https://skcscouts.org/fundraising/donate/

Special Forces Association Chapter 45 Ohio Green Beret Scholarship Fund: https://www.sfa45.org/donations

Ohio Health Hospice: https://foundation.ohiohealth.com/programs/hospice-giving