Robert (Bob) William Drummer passed away peacefully in his daughter’s home in Wooster on Thursday, July 20, 2023 following a brief illness.
Born in Markleysberg, PA on March 19, 1929, he was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Thelma, his high school sweetheart and first wife Jean, and his daughter Lynne McClure. Bob is survived by his wife Donna of Waite Hill, OH, his younger brother Thomas Edwin Drummer of Connellsville, PA, his daughter Lana (Jim) Gesler of Wooster, six grandchildren (Ryan Gesler of Cleveland, Jaimie Tangen of Wooster, Rob Gesler of Mahtomedi, MN, Buck McClure of Alpharetta, GA, Molly Hill of Bethlehem, GA and Caitlyn McCealy of Atlanta, GA) and 6 great-grandchildren.
Raised during the depression, Bob always valued hard work and even ‘doctored’ his birth certificate so he could get his first job at age 15. He proudly stated that he never received an unemployment check, and, that he saved money from every paycheck he ever received. A graduate of a one room schoolhouse in rural western Pennsylvania, he moved to Cleveland in 1950 where he heard there were good jobs. Realizing early on that he was unsuited for factory work he soon parlayed his passion for cars into sales. He bought and sold over 20 cars by his 21st birthday. His mother was ‘beside herself’ when Bob told her he was paying $60/mo for 24 months to finance his first automobile. Although he says he ‘retired’ in the mid-90s as the Used Car Manager at Bass Chevrolet in Cleveland he continued to work another 30 years 50-60 hours 7 days a week in his shop fixing up and selling cars. Bob could remember the model, year, color, price and miles of every car he ever owned. A fixture at area car auctions and junk yards Bob bought two cars at a Cleveland auction one month before he died. But his pride and joy were his classic cars. He lived for the summer afternoons when he could proudly sit beside his award winning 1957 Belaire (owned and maintained in factory condition for half a century) and share stories with his car buddies at local car shows.
Bob’s family would like to offer a special thanks to his close friend Ronnie Ramsey, and his neighbors Sammie and Brad Fleming without whose steadfast support Bob would not have been able to enjoy his passion for his cars for the past 3 decades.
A private family service will be held.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice Life Care, 1900 Akron Rd, Wooster, OH 44691 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Lana and Jim,
Sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all! I think of you guys often!
Condolences to Bob’s family,
I have known Bob in the car business for four decades.
Alway a hard worker, an honest man, and a “top car guy”
God Bless & RIP my friend.
Sincere Condolences. We will miss him greatly.
Sandy and Marsha Mintz
I will miss Uncle Bobmaking his spur of the moment trips in and wanting buckwheat cakes !! Lots of memories ! I especially remember the strong support him and your mom were for my parents!!
Lana and Dr. Gesler, So sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and your family
So very sorry for your loss. We will be praying for your family.
Lana and Jim I am so sorry to hear about your dad. We’ll miss him coming in for buckwheat cakes. Your mom and dad was so funny and I loved being around them they just made me laugh. God be with you and family at this time
The staff of SouthwayInc/ A B Tire & Repair offer our deepest sympathies. We have enjoyed working, selling cars, with Bob for so very many years. May you find comfort in you many memories
Our sympathy to his family & friends. Bob was a very interesting person who enjoyed life to its fullest. It was always an entertaining time with him around.
Lana & Jim;
I will forever miss Uncle Bob telling me about his current buy and sell of a car the past week before I would see him. He truly had the passion for what he did, and of course I sort of am a fanatic like that in what I do as well. Also, when he and Aunt Jean drove out the big motor home to Arizona in 1998. He was telling us how he came down from Flagstaff using the berm for traction, in the snow, and all other traffic stopped as they did not know how to drive in the snow. Also in 1994, when they loaded up a bunch of family to go up to the Crystal Gale show at Nemacolin ,. In the motor home as well. Uncle Bob never really retired. He also was so good to help repair mom & dad’s house after the hurricane in 2004. He did new blinds, new trim around the carpet and many more things. He said that as long as mom had the spaghetti made, he would be there. I can see that having a job or hobby that you enjoy everyday helps with your longevity, when I look at uncle Bob’s life.
Rest in Peace Uncle Bob.