Obituary: Bob Blackburn

Bob Blackburn, age 82 of Oxford, Ohio, passed away on April 24, 2025, at Fort Hamilton Hospital. He was born Robert Leon Blackburn, June 6, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Paul Jones Blackburn and Lois Oldham. On March 16, 1995, he married Melissa Chappars on the 50th anniversary of Melissa’s parents. They were married on the boat house on Western Campus at Miami University. They spent many happy years together. 

Bob graduated from Ferris State University with a B.S. in Business Administration. Bob was very active in the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. As an alumnus, Bob served many years as Chapter Counselor of Sigma Phi Epsilon Ohio Eta of Miami University. Bob owned and managed real estate throughout Oxford for many years. Bob had a big heart and helped many people in the Oxford area. He served two terms on Oxford City Council, was a member of the Oxford Lions Club since 1975, and volunteered for many years as Santa Claus and the Oxford Lion’s Club lion, his favorite event being for the Oxford View Nursing Home.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Melissa; his children, Brian (Karen) Blackburn, Scott (Rachel) Blackburn, Julie Silcox; Angie (Jim) Clark and David (Alex) Keeler; grandchildren, Justin, Sidney, Sam, Sarah, Jacob, Abby, Aidan, Erica, Caleb, Clayton, Katie; great grandchildren, Avery, Sawyer, and Rowan; siblings, Lois (Don) Pierce, and Becky (Gene) Belknap; and his sister in law, Marie Blackburn. Also, many nieces and nephews, with one special in his heart being “Johnny” Blackburn. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother, John Blackburn, and grandson, Paul Scott Blackburn. 

Funeral service will be held at noon Saturday, May 10, 2025, at Cobblestone Church, 4191 Kehr Rd. Oxford, OH. Visitation prior to the service begins at 10 a.m. 

This obituary was originally published on the website of Paul R. Young Funeral Home and has been edited for length.