‘Happy the man, and happy he alone,Robert L. “Bob” Condon age 71, of Versailles passed away at 5:35 PM on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy.
He who can call today his own:
He who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow, do thy worst, for I have lived today.
Be fair or foul, or rain or shine,
The joys I have possessed, in spite of fate, are mine.
Not heaven itself upon the past has power;
But what has been has been, and I have had my hour.’
----Dryden
Bob was born December 18, 1946, in Greenville to the late Russell E. & Margaret M. (Baltes) Condon. In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his brothers, James C. & Fredrick D. Condon; and sister, Maria Condon.
He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 50 years, Rebecca “Becky” (Monnin) Condon whom he married on April 20, 1968; children, Tina & Kevin Wibbeler of Zanesville, Matthew & Annelies Condon of Lewis Center, and Mandy Gawelek-Gross & Kevin Gross of Centerville; grandchildren, Maggie Wibbeler, Emily Wibbeler, Thomas Wibbeler, Kees Condon, Kasper Condon, Frits Condon, Henry Gawelek, Leo Gawelek and Poppy Gawelek-Gross; great-granddaughter, Lucy Wibbeler-Robison; brother & sister-in-law, Dick & Angela Condon of Russia; sister & brother-in-law, Marcie & Chuck Meiring of Houston; sisters-in-law, Jenny Condon of Versailles and Roberta Condon of Versailles; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bob graduated from Versailles High School as a proud member of the Class of 1965. He attended Western Kentucky University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree and went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Education from Wright State University.
His passion was to serve others, and that theme was woven throughout his professional activities in education, government, and athletics. His career in education began in the Fairlawn school systems where he served as a teacher and Principal. It continued in New Knoxville where he served as the High School Principal from 1975-1979 and culminated in 2001 when he retired from St. Henry High School, having served as Principal for 22 years. Bob proudly served on the Northwest District Athletic Board for the Ohio High School Athletic Association from 1985-2001. He was President of the Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Control for two years, and he enjoyed being a member of numerous Educational Associations as well. He served as Mayor of New Knoxville for multiple terms. Bob enjoyed the privilege of shaping the lives of others, and even after retirement, maintained strong connections with many of his former students and colleagues.
Carrying out the Baltes family passion for music, Bob owned and operated RLC Music Memories where he enjoyed DJ’ing at weddings and parties for family and former students. Bob kept busy managing several rental properties. His lifetime passion for playing cards began as a young man at the Pool Hall in Versailles, and most recently, he could be found playing a hand while sharing stories over coffee with his good friends at E & R’s in Yorkshire. The hobby closest to his heart was to keep a fond eye on his nine grandkids and one great grandchild.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, November 26, 2018, at St. Denis Catholic Church in Versailles with Rev. Fr. Jim Duell celebrant. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:00 to 6:00 PM and Monday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Bailey Zechar Funeral Home in Versailles. Memorial contributions may be made to Versailles Emergency Medical Services. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com.
