Robert Cecire Obituary

Robert Clyde "Bob" Cecire

Robert Clyde "Bob" Cecire, 83, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Bridge Hospice Care Center with his wife by his side.

He was born Nov. 3, 1940, in Stamford, Connecticut, to Bernard and Elva (Buchanan) Cecire.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Earl (2005); sister-in-law, Georgianna (2014); and sister, Dorothy (Dot, 2015).

Bob married Sarah M. Hull on June 19, 1971, and she survives. Bob grew up with three brothers, Earl, Bernard, and Richard, and a sister, Dorothy (Dot). Bob was a scholar with multiple degrees. He received his B.A. from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois (1962) in Biblical Studies, Bachelor of Divinity from Gordon Seminary, Wenham, MA (1965), Masters in New Testament from University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (1976), and Ph.D. in Ancient History from University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (1985). He read widely and kept up with Biblical studies, history, and current events. He carried his Greek New Testament to church and followed the scripture lesson in Greek.

Bob was ordained by American Baptist Church. He was a pastor for 25 years, serving American Baptist Churches in Maine, Kansas, and Minnesota. In addition, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Bethel College (St. Paul, MN), Weinbrenner Theological Seminary (Findlay), The University of Findlay, and Bluffton University. His students enjoyed his classes and he was always ready to discuss issues related to coursework. During the summers of 1984-1985, he led an eight-week European Seminar for Gordon College. If a student asked a question about the sites visited, he could "pontificate" for 10 minutes or more. In Findlay, Bob and his wife, Sarah, regularly attended College First Church of God.

Bob loved classical music. His basement was full of LPs of symphonies and operas by famous composers. His ear for music was so good that if he and his wife were driving and listening to NPR playing classical music, he could identify the piece, the movement, the composer, and frequently the conductor and orchestra!

Visitation for family and friends will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Avenue, Findlay. Bob's funeral will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 14, 2024, at College First Church of God, 1100 North Main Street, with visitation from 10-11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to College First Church of God, 1100 N. Main Street, Findlay, Ohio, 45840, or The Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio, 3100 West Central Avenue, Suite 150, Toledo, Ohio, 43606.

Online condolences may be shared with Bob's family at kirkpatrickbehnke.com.