Robert (Bob) Denzer of Mount Vernon, passed away September 28th at Danbury Senior Living community, he was 95. Bob was born May 22, 1929, in Bucyrus, Ohio, to Ralph and Viola Denzer. After graduating from high school, Bob enrolled at Otterbein College and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with a minor in Sociology. He later received a Master’s in Education from Springfield College, Springfield, Massachusetts. At Otterbein, Bob participated in football and track, as well as singing in the a cappella choir. It was at Otterbein that he met his wife, Miriam Sue Blauch, of Sugarcreek. Bob and Sue were married in 1952, and they lived a beautiful marriage together for 72 years.
After graduation from college in June of 1952, Bob was drafted by the US Army and was sent to officer training and subsequently to Korea. He served in the Army’s 64th tank battalion as a gunner attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Having spent a year in Korea, Bob returned home and accepted the position of Program Director for the Mount Vernon YMCA. Within two years Bob became the Executive Director, a position he held his entire work-life. Bob was an integral part of the Mount Vernon community, serving on numerous city committees and Board of Directors. He was a lifelong member, 61 years, and past president of the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club. He belonged to the Knox County Historical Society and loved to collect old Knox County postcards. Bob was also a generous blood donor, donating over 30 gallons of blood. Bob and Sue were lifelong members of the First Presbyterian Church where they were members of the choir for over 65 years. Bob served several terms as a Deacon and Elder. Bob and Sue loved to travel spending winters in Anna Maria, FL. They also bicycled extensively throughout Europe and Great Britain.
Bob touched many lives throughout his career, especially the children who came through the doors of the YMCA. Bob was extremely proud of the hundreds of sponsorships the YMCA provided to youths who could not afford a YMCA membership. The largest program at the YMCA was the aquatics, teaching swimming and competitive swim teams. He was passionate about teaching kids to swim and creating a family atmosphere. Bob loved racquetball and had a standing reservation at 4:00 PM daily. He was instrumental in building the current YMCA (1965) by raising over $1M in just under two months.
Bob and Sue were proud to have resided in Mount Vernon during the entirety of their marriage.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife Sue Denzer, (July 14,2024), granddaughter Dr. Anna Quinn Denzer-Emerson, great-granddaughter Abigail Blair Emerson and older brother Wilford Denzer.
Bob is survived by his sons, John (Debra) Denzer of Mount Vernon, Andy (Michele) Denzer of San Antonio, TX, granddaughters Caroline (Tyler) Durbin of Granville, OH, Ellen (Miles) Bubbett of Cleveland, OH, and Rose (Patrick) Allen of San Antonio, TX, great-grandsons Boone and River Durbin and Wes Bubbett.
The Denzer Family wishes to extend gratitude to the Danbury Living Center nurses and staff, and Gentiva Hospice, both of who took great care in tending to Bob during his final days on earth.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Knox County Foundation in care of the Robert and Sue YMCA Fund, or First Presbyterian Church of Mount Vernon.
A Celebration of Life service for Bob and Sue will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 106 North Gay Street, on October 11th, at 11:00 AM. Immediately following the Celebration of Life Service, the Denzer Family will be available to visit with friends and family.
To share a memory or send the family an expression of sympathy visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com
The Snyder Funeral Homes are honored to serve the family of Robert (Bob) Denzer.